There are those moments, you know them well: when your wife or
your kids ask, "Can we go out?" And right away, you feel that little
internal sigh because you already know what’s coming next.

Not a big expense. Not a major shopping spree. Just… the small, steady leak of money that always happens when the whole family steps outside the door.

It’s funny how parenting plays with your heart.
When the house is quiet and the kids are away, maybe staying with their grandparents or having a sleepover. You suddenly notice how still everything feels. You scroll through your phone and find photos of them, laugh at their silly faces, and think, “I can’t wait to see them again.”

There’s something almost magical, and a little chaotic about becoming a parent for the first time. You read the books, you watch the videos, you stock up on every “must-have” item the internet swears you’ll need. And then, the moment your baby arrives, you realize… none of it really prepares you.