Re: 'Choose your role with your own kids'

hmm. Both are interesting opinions.

However, I do not have a traditional role with my kids, I never have. Keeping in my that my observations of other parents tell me the average parent, for most of the time, disregards their children, does not give them much attention, if any and fails to communicate with them on any meaningful level.

I do not excel in neither of these areas either. However I spend time with them, play games with them, talk to them about school and friends. I try my best to be a part of their lives as both a parent, friend and role model. (Key word being *try*).

With major and everyday decisions regarding the family we sit down and talk about it and I allow their input and we decide together. They look after me as much as I look after them. I like to think we have built a bond of trust between us, and hiding things from them is not what I like to do...hence my coming out of the toybox to them after soo many long years.

So I understand what you are saying Dante, and it makes sense, but we just don't operate that way...