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A person's priorities in life just change. I in no way ascribe to the "helicopter parent" approach to raising kids, but having kids changed me in fundamental wa

by JunkDNA 13y ago

A person's priorities in life just change. I in no way ascribe to the "helicopter parent" approach to raising kids, but having kids changed me in fundamental ways that cause my outlook on life to change in a manner that often surprises me. Case in point: I used to be a movie buff. I loved watching movies. Now, I have the ultimate setup for watching movies and it doesn't even interest me. I have other things (not even necessarily always spending time with my toddlers) that I would rather spend 2.5+ hours doing (getting sleep being a prime contender).

jameshart 13y ago
Oh, I kind of agree; but I also think that there's value in remaining yourself too, and not giving up everything for your kids. Not least because I think it can help your relationship with the person with whom you started the family in the first place. I just wish it was possible to live in a neighborhood which has good schools, nice neighborhood kids who you can trust to babysit, combined with somewhere within walking distance that's worth going to when you've got a sitter.
- mathattack 13y ago
  You can remain yourself, but your priorities shift. Even with restaurants, you look for those that are stroller friendly and have enough other kids that you don't feel bad when lunch winds up on the floor. The problem with schools is that it is a very large entrenched organization, with lots of special interests (politicians, teachers, administration, etc) who don't want to give up monopoly power. The central organizations suck in a lot of money, and don't improve quality. There are ways to fight this (more charters, close bad schools, etc) but it's very hard and requires a lot of different folks in government willing to fight special interests.
  - jameshart 13y ago
    Your idea of a fun date night with your SO must be very different to mine.
    - mathattack 13y ago
      Welcome to life with kids.
randomdata 13y ago
I have noticed a similar change in my life in the past few years and I do not even have kids. I have always just attributed it to getting older.
- mathattack 13y ago
  This too, though I'd rather blame my bad back and gray hair on the kids, than age! :-)

by JunkDNA 13y ago

jameshart 13y ago

Oh, I kind of agree; but I also think that there's value in remaining yourself too, and not giving up everything for your kids. Not least because I think it can help your relationship with the person with whom you started the family in the first place. I just wish it was possible to live in a neighborhood which has good schools, nice neighborhood kids who you can trust to babysit, combined with somewhere within walking distance that's worth going to when you've got a sitter.

mathattack 13y ago
You can remain yourself, but your priorities shift. Even with restaurants, you look for those that are stroller friendly and have enough other kids that you don't feel bad when lunch winds up on the floor. The problem with schools is that it is a very large entrenched organization, with lots of special interests (politicians, teachers, administration, etc) who don't want to give up monopoly power. The central organizations suck in a lot of money, and don't improve quality. There are ways to fight this (more charters, close bad schools, etc) but it's very hard and requires a lot of different folks in government willing to fight special interests.
- jameshart 13y ago
  Your idea of a fun date night with your SO must be very different to mine.
  - mathattack 13y ago
    Welcome to life with kids.

randomdata 13y ago

I have noticed a similar change in my life in the past few years and I do not even have kids. I have always just attributed it to getting older.

mathattack 13y ago
This too, though I'd rather blame my bad back and gray hair on the kids, than age! :-)