Believe me I know

First of all, I am Pat Frail. I'm the father of the clan of children. I work part-time in the morning and hang out with the kids in the afternoon. I have done this since our 1st was born. For several years I have asked for and taken truck loads of advice and statements on parenting. I have even been open to the advice and statements I didn't ask for. Some of the advice is good and some not so much. I, however, would like to ask for relief from one thing. I have had enough of the "it gets worse" advice from the parents that have children older than whatever child I am with at the time. I know it gets worse. I know that the raging hormones of Abbey's (11) are only at the beginning and it gets worse. I know that Maggie (7) is going to be a diva and it gets worse. I know that Conner (4) wants to play baseball and it gets worse. I was not dropped into this family this morning. I have not been on an 11 year vacation. I have been around these kids since their birth. I know that it gets worse. I realize that parents with older children are trying to make conversation, be sarcastic or are just enjoying your pain. Please, for the love of all that is holy, stop telling me it gets worse. I got it. Just once I would like to hear "it gets better." Just those three words, not "you're gonna miss this." I am not going to miss the hormones, buying clothes and baseball equipment.