Oxytocin levels rise as a man ages, helping him to bond and commit, cuddle and be more involved with his children.
Life experiences develop in men a maturity which only comes over time. Pete has been an uncle, a godfather, and even great uncle and was included in the lives of close friends who gladly passed him their two-day-old baby for a cuddle in the midst of their family chaos. He was the patient guy who rocked a manic toddler to sleep at a mate’s house by simply being calm. He was the available son, sibling and friend who took in his itinerant mother, sister, or whoever needed a place to stay.
I’m aware that a lot of what makes Pete a great husband and father is simply his wonderful temperament and personality. But far from introducing problems, his age has actually given him the wisdom and perspective it takes to be a better dad.
There’s definitely the risk of losing him before we’re ready (just as when a partner has chronic illness, a dangerous occupation or an unhealthy lifestyle). But it’s not inevitable. My brother is mates with a guy whose mum was 30 and whose dad was 60 when he was born. Unexpectedly, his mum passed away at a relatively young age. Meanwhile, his father has lived on to 90 and beyond, enjoying a close relationship with his son.
We can’t predict what future we’ll be given, but we live with hope, and thankfulness for the joy we share every day with our family.
Kate is a young mum happily married to an older guy, enjoying life with three little munchkins.
