>Call us back in 2024. I'll be interested to see how it went.
>
>Actually, I can give you the names now of parents who have been successful.
>
>I played a hand in the teen years of my wife's youngest brother. Her dad split when the boy was 11 - and I was asked to take on a big role with him. No, it wasn't the same as being a full-time parent, but it was enough to know I'm not talking out my backside.


No it wasn't.

I'm sure you're not talking out of you backside but all plans crumble in the face of reality.

If you'd give you child the choice of a roof over her head or a tongue piercing that would say a lot more about you than her.