It's not only the damage you can do to them Hodge, it's what the little darlings can do to you as well! :tongue: In fact children and teens are quite resilient and as long as you are not abusive of course, any mistakes you make with them are the least of your worries. It is just a tremendous amount of work, even at the best of times when you are getting on with them and enjoying them. And they don't stop being your children at 18. Far from it. They may move away, but they will always need you to some extent. Even our foster children, most of whom are in their 30s now, often ring us for advice, opinions and such. It never ends. But it is well worth it, ever so rewarding, and I do hope you get to experience it at some point. Nothing grounds you and brings you out of yourself better than children.