Fatherly Advice for HoebSTer

[Venture]

So apparently one of our own, HoebSTer, is officially set to become a father on 12/29. Unofficially, who knows? I'm sure by now he's received all kinds of advice, but let's see if we can come up with something novel that he hasn't heard yet.

As a 2-time father myself, I have a hundred things I could share, but I think I'll just offer this: forget baby monitors! All they do is keep you awake, and you'll be awake enough. When the kid needs you it'll let you know. Most people think we're nuts, but we turned ours off after the 2nd night and never turned them back on again.

Anybody else care to share?

By the way, good luck HoebSTer!

 

[SpeedStar]

I have two myself and have already offered HoebSTer some advice so far. Hopefully the little one will be on time and all will go smoothly.

My one piece of advice for here though - Get a good video monitor. I am with Venture though. I hate the damn thing but my wife loves it.

Summer Infant has a handheld with a 2" screen. My wife would not have made it without it...

Also, don't worry too much about not knowing what to do right away. You both will figure it out. Enjoy them, they grow fast.

 

[eemsreno]

They do grow up very fast. Ours are boath over 20 now. My advice is to spend as much time with them as you can, that means, no vidio games in the house, no prime time TV, no walkman type head sets on in the car. Do I sound too strict? My kids just thanked me the other day for doing just that. I would also take them camping a lot. It forces you to spend time with them, if you are at home your thinking the yard needs mowed the car needs the oil changed, there is always somthing that you think you should be doing when really what you should be doing is spending time with them.
Good luck HoebSTer

 

[toompine]

Well I am only recently able to give advice on this subject having lived all of my adult life without kids. However at 56 my younger (much) wife became pregnant with my first. I will tell you that through the last years (nearly 6 now) my life and perspective on life has changed beyond imagination. My daughter has given me new eyes to see the world, shown me the wonder of a young childs' imagination and taught me how precious life is. No matter how hard the moments are, and there are those moments, just remember that you can never recapture lost time so love every moment, good or bad because they grow up all too fast. In all my years as an adult I have never been so happy to come home as now...that is what children do for you. All you have to do is keep them safe and help them learn right from wrong. Enjoy and learn

 

[fjr1300]

Advice! If they come to pick up a cycle for a ride, give them a post-it note with your address. That way they return it. They usually do for sure if the tank is empty, tires are bald, oil needs changing, etc. . This goes for tools also. I like the advice, "you know what you need". Its something you don't have and they need.
But it sounds like you have a few years before these issues come up. Start them out early on a bike. Mine both started at age 4. My daughters first ride on a Suzuki JR50 the throttle stuck wide open and she laid it down before it went over a retaing wall. I wheeled it back into the garage and found the cable was frayed inside the housing. She stood there and asked "can you fix it now?". I said no, I'll have to order a new one. She took her gear off and went and rode her bike. They've both rode ever since. Ages 24 & 22.

 

[HoebSTer]

First off, as a big ole emotional guy I am sending a big THANK YOU to all who have submitted their ideas and support!!!

After reading a few posts, I couldn't help but get a tear in my eye for the kind words of encouragement you have all experienced and knowing what it is I am going to be dealing with any day now. I will try to take as many of those thoughts and ideas and pass them along to my daughter as she grows. I will want to include mototcycles into her life, camping and outdoor activities, as well as a good line of communication with her. I like the ideas of small amounts of TV, headphones, and even the future with damn cell phones.

Thanks Guys!!!!! Now back to our regularly scheduled program!!! Come on May!!!

 

[HoebSTer]

Oh and I wanted to say I will be sure to post an update when she does finally deliver!!!

 

[trinc4me]

Jeff,

Best of everything to you and your wife with the newborn (when she arrives). I have 3 of my own and one step-daughter - all over 20, but do have a 5 month old granddaughter. There is no possession in this world more valuable than your children. Love and cherish them with all that's within your heart......the time goes by really really fast!

Bob

 

[Koinz]

Enjoy them when they're young. I have 3 teenagers and getting grey'er by the minute. Luckily my two boys ride dirt bikes and quads so I have a lot of fun with them. Don't know how I'm going to handle the whole street bike thing. More dangerous than dirtbikes.

All the best to you, your wife and your new born

 

[RomKnight]

First, CONGRATULATIONS. My younger daughter just made 9 months on 28th

This one has NOTHING to do with her sister except the looks. I thought now it would be easier or at least the same. I was wrong. This means, every child is different so there is no cookbook to raise them. Use your common sense.

Always explain WHY they can(not) do something in a simple manner but in a way they really understand. They're never satisfied until they understand the why...

Also don't be over protective or spoil a child to much. Again, use your common sense.

 

[HoebSTer]

Koinz,
As an MSF riding instructor, the kids or people that come from dirt bikes or atv's do rather well. It comes down to respect of the bike, speed and authority. Your kids have a good understanding of looking ahead and being aware of obstacles or situtations ahead just from riding. It converts over to potholes and other idiots on the street, they can carry it over to there as well.

Jeff

 

[Koinz]

I completely agree with you. Still, I am their father and while they are excellent riders. Those cages have a couple of thousand lbs on them.
Best wishes to your new arrival and happy new year.

 

[HoebSTer]

thanks koinz. OH, Go Steelers!!!

 

[MortiisMachine]

Hi Hoeb. I don't have any kids myself but i would like to wish you the best of luck and all the advice people have given sounds solid to me. Congrats and good luck pal.

 

[HoebSTer]

thanks mortiis i appreciate it.

 

[ptfjjj]

congrats Jeff! I have one girl and three boys myself. ages 16 - 21. you seem like a good guy, so you will no doubt make a great father. every minute becomes so much more precious from the moment they are born. don't waste one second. when you get tired from comforting them endless hours while they are infants just remember, those moments are priceless and cannot be relived, so make sure that you cherish them as they come. Get yourself a good camera now and start recording your new family history from day one. don't worry about what anyone else thinks about you being the guy that always takes pictures because those are your family moments and it will be up to you to keep them recorded where you and your family can look back and cherish.

Paul

 

[trinc4me]

congrats Jeff! I have one girl and three boys myself. ages 16 - 21. you seem like a good guy, so you will no doubt make a great father. every minute becomes so much more precious from the moment they are born. don't waste one second. when you get tired from comforting them endless hours while they are infants just remember, those moments are priceless and cannot be relived, so make sure that you cherish them as they come. Get yourself a good camera now and start recording your new family history from day one. don't worry about what anyone else thinks about you being the guy that always takes pictures because those are your family moments and it will be up to you to keep them recorded where you and your family can look back and cherish.

Paul

Paul, great comments about the camera! I didn't do enough of that as a Dad, so making up for it as a Grandad! ;D

 

[HoebSTer]

Thanks Guys, got it covered. Wife and I went on a bear viewing trip a year ago and knew we wanted a good camera for that and for when we have kids. It has been well used. We went with a Canon T1i. It is a great digital camera. We will surely take some photos of it soon as the little girl slides down the chute!!!

 

[trinc4me]

Hey jeff,

Sorry if I may have missed this, what is the actual due date for the little one?

 

[HoebSTer]

Due Date was Dec 29th. We are now a bit past. Induced labor is coming Wed this week. Yippie, as mama isn't sleeping too well!!!