I know I'm not as 'chronologically challenged' as many members on here but today is my eldest daughter's last day at primary scholl and she will start at the academy after the summer holidays.

I have been quite non plussed by this until last night when I went to see her 'leaver's concert'..........

Man, it hit home how big a mile stone this is in her life - how everything will change for her going to the 'big' school now, leaving the security of primary school and growing up - and how much I suddenly realised....I have a child that is almost a teenager.....I believe she is only a couple of years younger than super kid!!!!!

And then I just felt old..........

My dilemma is this.....should I try and be the cool dad....the one in the bands with the piercings and tattoos or is it time to get sensible and start wearing corduroy blazers and grey slacks and stop chasing my dreams of becoming a viking guitar god?drinking, swearing, belching and farting my way through life and, no doubt, causing her years of embarrassment and heartache..............

Is it time for me to grow up and become the role model I am probably meant to be?

AAAAARRRGGHHHHHHHH!!! help me please...........

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

hey SK..........ain't that just right....you are the first to reply to this post.....sigh!!!!

Yeah I'm in a couple of bands just now and all the members have kids so schedules and that aren't an issue.

AS a teenage guitarerer, how would you feel if you were showing interest in a young lady, and appeared at her door and were met by a bearded, tattooed, pierced guitar loving biker? Would you have more respect for the hairy biker or my alter ego, the theological academic?

In fact, lets really put you on the spot now SK!!!!!!! As a young man, How would you treat my daughter??? And tread very carefully!!!!!!!

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

Pappa I know how you feel. My baby girl is going to have a baby. I'll be a grand dad. You just gotta be yourself. Thats who she know.

years ago- back in the 70's when i had long hair- i went to pick up a girl for our first date. i was greeted at the door by this hairy scraggly thing with tattoos and moles... she said her daughter would be ready soon

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

My Grandson will be 4 in September and I forgot what the question was.

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Gary

Wouldn't have anything to do with the Pissed Off Feline would it....

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

What really is a Role Model.....
Is it based on outward appearance
Which as we all know is more often than not a Facade...
Or is it based on what you did as a parent....Sometimes it is not well received by the child but may in time be appreciated as the realization of life as it really is... becomes more apparent...

I/We don't have children but I spent years coaching 10 to 15 year olds in both Alpine Ski Racing and Competitive Cycling.
I did become privy to both the parents as well as the kid's points of view and that was more often than not quite enlightening...

The parent that lives vicariously thru their child's accomplishments..
The child that is afraid to fail and will strive for success no matter the cost to themselves.
The parent that has long forgotten that their own health both mental as well as physical is as important as their children's.
The parent that has forgotten that childhood is a short passage and kids need to be kids in their own time and world, not little adults, there will be plenty of time for adulthood.
The child that never learned to just be a child, a natural evolution that is often times delayed until it is too late to regain.
Honesty from both the parents as well as the child is priceless.

I could go on but just the fact that you are asking the question on a very public Forum says volumes about your ethics....And the welfare of your family

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

hi Evan , get the jacket and troos and post a pic , i fancy a good giggle couldny resist that jist be yirsel mate , thats what i do and me and my duaghter have some right laughs , ok she is a tattoo artist and off her head , but it's all good i'm 45 the now and Alana is 20 , i don't think she would want me any other way , it'll probably be the same for you and you'rs , cheers
Alan

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Both my kids are in college, meh. Be yourself. Change only if you want to. I am not the same person I was 20 years ago, but I am still into monogamous sex, prescribed drugs, moderate drinking, and Rock 'N Roll. (lol)

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Hey "Feeling Old", be true to yourself. If your a good man whats wrong with Chin Whiskers, Tats and guitars? Look at the ZZ boys, now they have some chin whiskers. If I were a young man which I'm not, and was introduced to a young girls dad as you describe, I would think it was prity cool. Chances are she will be looking for someone just like you anyway.
----Danny,

I say start shopping for a walker J/K

I don't think you should worry so much and don't change a bit.

she didn't drop out of school so apparently you are doing something rite

and The cool parent's are the ones they visit on the weekends and for the holidays

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Yeah there's a real problem these days with eleven year olds dropping out of school.

You probably don't really need to change. Don't force it.

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Rated "M" for meaty.

there is man..... that wasn't just a joke, I was kinda being serious its especially bad in the dallas school district granted 11 is a little soon... but look at some of the statistics online. there is a parenting problem in some places

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Primary school has shook you up???

Wait till she graduates College! Better yet, wait till you're walking her down the aisle!

Don't worry. It only hurts for a couple of days and you'll be fine.

Get the Tats and piercings and brandings now...in a few years you'll ask yourself WTF was I thinking?

Really? Just be her Dad and you'll both be happy!

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-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield