Am I a pu $$ y or a fool to call it quits?

[Raven]

you cannot burn the candle at both ends. Rest is of paramount importance to do
cellular repair and allow your body to manufacture health promoting substances.
Eventually you will have a collapse of some kind unless you slow down and take it easier
on certain days. Don't think of it as selfish to protect your health so you'll
still be around in later life and be able to appreciate everything
you've worked so hard to accomplish especially your kids.

[Slipknot]

Bob, no you are not a fool
but I am not sure what you refer to when you say calling it quits
Take a break bud
like I said in my text a couple weeks ago, pace yourself, the body needs recovery time, we aren't machines despite what the military may tell you.
You know my feelings, ya do what you have to do.
My dad still works in Boston 4 days a week at 81, he takes the bus in before the sun comes up from Sagamore Beach. I hope I am able to do half what he still does at his age if I live that long. He is my inspiration, and I bet you are your kids inspiration as you set a fine example. Ya gotta earn it.
glad you got some fishin time in, I did too, but luck was not on my side, maybe next time

[Rockfish9]

My Dad had a saying .. "you can work hard....or you can work long...but you can't work hard for long".... that being said.. you need to take care of yourself if you are able to finish
the task you started... that being providing the best you are able to for your children... as others have said.. they grow fast.. enjoy them while they are young... strike your balance...take a breath and a little "me" time. It's not selfish.. it's mandatory for mental and PHYSCICAL health...

[BEETLE]

You are not alone 5/0. Got 2 kids. My 28 year old daughter moved back in with her baby, was having issues with boyfriend, so that puts more on Dad. My son is 30, and I do what I can to help him out. I do make time for me to chill, it's not enough but I tend to push myself more during the summer - but I have some balance at least.
Like others have said.
Try to make some time for 5/0 if your feeling the pressure.

[bloocrab]

Remember what made you who you are.
A great foundation, hard work and DETERMINATION!
(not mommy&daddy paying for everything....nor quitting)

It doesn't sound like "it" was handed to you,, because you're still working your off.
Don't feel like you have to hand "it" to your kids. There is so much to be learned when you have to go get "it" yourself. Allow them to achieve that, it will be rewarding for them. Be supportive and guiding, but allow them to learn what is needed to be successful. A lot of kids today think that "it's" owed to them,,,, nothing is owed, it's achieved.

Show them love
Show them responsibility by your own actions as well as delegating them some of their own
Help pay for college, but don't own the whole thing yourself. Only you know what you can afford to do. Don't put yourself in a bad place financially, emotionally or physically.
God only knows, they may come out of college and end up in HVAC?

My college plan is this:
He's needs a job.
His pay comes to me...(with him getting very little to no spending money, more of an as needed and "why")
Based on what my wife and I can afford, I take a small portion of his pay and add it to my contribution in making college payments
The rest goes into a secret account for his future
Adjustments get made as needed

Quality of life is important.
Good luck, stay healthy....stay sane.

[RickBomba]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

Bob, no you are not a fool
but I am not sure what you refer to when you say calling it quits
Take a break bud
like I said in my text a couple weeks ago, pace yourself, the body needs recovery time, we aren't machines despite what the military may tell you.
You know my feelings, ya do what you have to do.
My dad still works in Boston 4 days a week at 81, he takes the bus in before the sun comes up from Sagamore Beach. I hope I am able to do half what he still does at his age if I live that long. He is my inspiration, and I bet you are your kids inspiration as you set a fine example. Ya gotta earn it.
glad you got some fishin time in, I did too, but luck was not on my side, maybe next time

I agree with Bruce. Hang with the kids. I'm guessing they'll really appreciate it. The fist will always be there.

Your Pal,
Rick

[piemma]

Bob, you're not a pus or a fool. We all did it.

I worked for IBM in the 70s and 80s, in Boston. When I came home after the commute to Boston and back, my wife had my dinner in a lunch pail and I went out and mowed 25 lawns a week and did landscaping jobs. In the winter I sold firewood. All with a full time job with 5 to 6 hours of commuting every day. You do what ever you have to do.