Back to the Blog — Because Life with Adult Kids Is Still a Bit of "Chaos in Paradise"

Back to the Blog — Because Life with Adult Kids Is Still a Bit of "Chaos in Paradise"

Hello, old friends.

Some longtime readers might remember when I started The Life of a Father of Five back in the days of young children and demands of supporting and rasing a (relatively) large family.   

Fast forwarding 19 years (from when FOF started) and I can now confidently report:that the chaos has not diminished. It’s just evolved.  Life has naturally evolved, and I have made some changes in my own life.   The kids may not need me to tie their shoes anymore, but I’ve discovered that fatherhood doesn’t come with a finish line — only different stages.

Fatherhood has transformed.  I have a new job.  Different demands on my time.  I have elderly parents and inlaws.  I don't just have five kids anymore.  I have five kids and five (very wonderful) "plus ones".  (Two of those "plus ones" are now officially daughters-in-law), and I am happy to share that I have added "Grandpa" to list of fatherly duties!  Additionally duties have recently included being an advisor, laborer, moving company. maintenance consultant, and sometimes when things are just right, I am the guy they want to (?) hang out with sometimes.  

One thing I am happy to share with anyone willing to listen.   As it turns out, parenting five adult children  requires just as much heart, just as much energy, and just as many prayers as parenting five children did/  Despite this, I wouldn’t trade it for anything!  

So why am I back here? Because I miss sharing.  I miss telling my stories — the hilarious, frustrating, heart-tugging, everyday stories of being a dad.  Because this space still has a place in my heart.  

And who knows.  Maybe there are still some readers out there too — some who have walked this path with or along side me on this journey.  Maybe there are some who are on their own journey (a few steps ahead, or a few steps behind)...  Maybe some are searching for an answer to their wondering if fatherhood  ever gets easier. (Spoiler: It doesn’t. But it does remain just as rewarding as it ever was (and maybe even a little more?!))

So here I am again, attempting to brush off the dust and remove all the cobwebs from the ol' noggin while I oil up the keyboard, and start cracking my knuckles (a terrible habit I have had since I was a very young lad) in an attempt to start down this road all over again.   

I make no promises on frequency, but I can promise you that...

• I am still here.
• I am still fathering (and now grandfathering)
• There are still five (now with five plus ones and a grandson),
• And
• I am still somehow trying to figure this all.out.

Thanks for being patient with me.

See you soon (I hope),

—The Father of Five

(Coming soon...  Updates on the OG five!)