little tykes

Dear 27-year-old self, Are you a parent by now? Jesus Christ. Maybe you are, maybe you aren't. But maybe you will be soon. Whichever it is, listen up. Your nineteen-year-old self has thought a lot about marriage and parenting -- specifically with Jimmy (what happened to you and him, by the way? :) ) but also in general. And in general, the thing with co-parenting that you've figured out is that what NOT to do is have one parent earn the money and not be home and not be the good cop, 'cause the other parent who IS the good cop will be the one the kids take to and love more. Even if the first parent loves the kids just the same and works just as hard, in different ways. It sucks but it's better to be home and close to your kids than it is for you to be well-off but for everyone to be not close and miserable. Maybe you know this, maybe you don't, maybe you've forgotten it. Whatever. Just keep it in mind, okay? I hope that you're happy with...whoever you're with :) or if you're not with anyone anymore/right now, I still hope you're happy of course. <3 Love, 19 year old you!