[rlonn]

I think your kids are very lucky. You seem to know what's important and be determined enough to get it. The only thing I can add that I didn't see on your list is "Take care of yourself also". My dad died young because he didn't take care of himself, and his four kids thought it kind of sucked. Perhaps see yourself as just the eldest kid in the family. Easy to say, hard to do I guess.

[EdwardDiego]

That is hard, but I try. My partner and I (we still run separate households) cherish the time we get together - and I'm really lucky that my oldest son is able and willing to watch the others, every Saturday, when my toddler is down for her nap, my partner and I have lunch at a favourite restaurant.