Start Over Dads - Pause for Thought
The concept of the start over dad (SOD) is a complex one. With the high rate of divorce and separation nowadays, and an increase in both credit and disposable income, some couples are waiting until later in their lives for children.
The start over dad already has kids from a previous relationship, who are already in their late teens or twenty’s. Then he has a child with his new partner. Although he might have experience of bringing up kids, his former partner may have been much more involved with their upbringing than he was.
The most positive aspect of SOD’s is that most people have more financial wealth the older they get. They shouldn’t struggle with financial worries.
The main issue for me is that by the time the child reaches college, their parents will no longer be earning. In a previous post I mentioned that the cost of college for a child born in 1999 will be approx. $200,000. This could put a serious dent in your pension and personal wealth, and could reduce the help you could give your kids when they start a family.
Another 451 Press writer, Erinn, over at ParentingOurChildren.com, has posted a great article about Start Over Dads.
Doesn’t a woman have a right to have a child with her husband no matter what his age? Women are having babies later in life now also.
I am very interested in what you think about SODs.
Do you think it is right/wrong?
start over dad, older fathers, fatherhood, in the news
April 23rd, 2007 at 9:53 am
[...] When Jen found her own passion for acting, John discouraged her at first, knowing that it isn’t always an easy profession to make a living at. However, she persevered, and John became one of her biggest supporters. John eventually remarried; he and his wife Sherry have a son named Alexander (more on remarriage and fatherhood at All About Fatherhood). In adulthood, Jen has become very close to her dad; notably, at the time of his recent heart attack, Jen was a constant presence at his bedside. Thankfully, it seems that John has recovered nicely from the scare. Today, he plays Victor Kiriakis on DOOL, and it is evident that Jen is not the only bright talent in her family. [...]