[Maestro1]

My grandfather worked at the post office and had 13 kids, my father being the oldest. He was a parent at 18 and never looked back. He did the best job he could of raising his kids, but he was honest with all of them.

When my father and mother conceived my brother at the young age of 17 & 18 respectively. He told my father it was time to find him a place to live for him, his wife, and his kids. That they couldn't live under his roof because he already had enough mouths to feed. Sounds cruel, but when he was 18 his parents told him the same thing.

I didn't have my first kid until I was 28. At the time I was living under my own roof, had a wife already and my parents didn't have to tell me to move out. I love my kids, and most likely when they leave to go off to college, depending on where they go...I might just move there to be closer to them, all while giving them their personal space.

Unfortunately, many people get caught up in this cycle of raising their kids like they were raised. I admire the job my parents did, but I want so much more for my kids and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. My parents have always told me to strive to be a better parent than they were for their children.

But I'll never forget the blueprint laid before me either. Make some changes to the blueprint if necessary, but lay the foundation PHIRST!
I was given food, shelter, clothing and LOVE. I received butt whoopings galore, but I was never physically or mentally abused. I know why I got every one of them, and they made me the MAN I am today.

I love and respect my parents for their faults, as well as their redeeming qualities. I hope my kids will do the same because nobody's perfect!

Just my .06 cents!