This effort is to share a bit of experience from an unusual situation.  I am 72 years old.  Valerie, my daughter is 5.

When we are out and about and come across people who engage us (usually because Valerie is so cute).   Several things happen.

• People mistake me for her grandfather about half the time.  The other half of the time they don't offer an opinion.  Once, a woman smiled and asked whether I was Valerie's grandfather or great-grandfather.  

• Women are charmed and usually remark about how this must be keeping me young.

• Men say "What were you thinking??" with a bemused smile. 

People are having kids later in their life, so I thought I would add some unsolicited advice to the mix.  This website/blog will have things added regularly, so stay tuned.   There are many dimensions to explore:

• Valerie's (much) older siblings.

• Valerie's very intentional birth story and her niece who is her genetic sister.  

• How having parented once already changes some basic attitudes about what is important. 

• Specific learnings that may not be obvious or that are borne of years of experience. 

Although this will usually be me writing, Valerie will have some contributions, especially as time goes on.  

Warnings:

• I am often ironic, if not sarcastic.  I enjoy the complexities of two truths that seem incompatible. 

• I like short.

• I may or may not be religious in some way.  I was a Presbyterian minister most of my life.

• I may leave things hanging intentionally and really like bullet points.

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