Lose weight NOW. I'm now trying to lose 30 pounds and let's just say it's much easier in your 30s than in your 50s!

stop working so late and take your wife out to dinner once a week.

you will get fired eventually anyways so at least have a good time while young

I'd tell myself to try for another baby quickly!

This is what I would go back and tell my 35 year old self:

Move back closer to family. Your kids will only be little for a short time. You will miss out on sharing that time with some close family members who only a few more years on the planet.
Cut all ties with toxic people. They are stealing your life. Time is too short to be wasted with dysfunctional people.
Spend less money on kids activities and filling up every hour of the day running around. These are not the memories you will want.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. live below your means. Stuff is just stuff, most of what you think you need, you don't.

2. Take lots of pictures.

3. Don't forget to play and laugh with your kids.

I'm 35, and I love this advice. Agree wholeheartedly that stuff is just stuff. I don't take enough pictures. I don't play enough with the kids. Today I will try harder.

And another: get in the picture with the kids! However you look and feel today (that you don't want your pic taken), you'll love that pic later.

It can take a long time to get over sleep deprivation and get back into shape. 2 years is not an unreasonable amount of time. Don't beat yourself up and expect things to go back to normal as quickly as you think it "should."

You're doing a really good job. Hang in there and keep up the good work (it'll pay off!).

Cut out the pasta and rice, you'll regret not having done so.

Anonymous wrote:1. live below your means. Stuff is just stuff, most of what you think you need, you don't.

2. Take lots of pictures.

3. Don't forget to play and laugh with your kids.

I'm 35, and I love this advice. Agree wholeheartedly that stuff is just stuff. I don't take enough pictures. I don't play enough with the kids. Today I will try harder.

I'd tell my 35 yr old self to go ahead and have that 3rd child, even though I, too, was sleep deprived for a few years.

I'd also tell her to start running and stay with it.

I had my only child at 34 OP. I would say to savor the moments. Time really does fly. Everyone told me that and I didn't believe them. DD just turned 24 and I'm now 58. Keep your job. Save your money. Enjoy your friends. Enjoy the time. MY DH and I have been lucky with good health and wealth. We were sleep deprived for about 2 years at the beginning.

Don't gain too much weight -- I did and never lost it. Stay positive and go to church if you're at all religious. Be a good example for your kids. Love life.

Things you think are a big deal now will not be by the time you are 50.
Put up with your parents(they will not be here soon).
Have fun every day.
If you lose your job, you will get another one.
Think a little more long term(10-20 year out and look and talk to people who are there now)
Your body starts to break down some time after 45(knees, metabolism slows, kidney stone etc). Enjoy it now and get in shape.
Watch your drinking(many friends who enjoyed social drinking now drink way too much).

Anonymous wrote:1. Teach your children discipline, more difficult to practice than it seems, but it makes the later years so much easier when your children are honest, self reliant, and have a good moral compass, because the trouble they can get into is so much more serious when they are older.

2. Save save save - they still cost a mint in the later years when you are trying to save for retirement!

Yes...and enjoy your beauty.

1. live below your means. Stuff is just stuff, most of what you think you need, you don't.

2. Take lots of pictures.

3. Don't forget to play and laugh with your kids.

Pray a lot.

Anonymous wrote:I'm 35 and realized between working, dealing with two small children (an infant and toddler), dealing with money stress that involves the massive cost of a growing family and living in the DC area and just thought I'd love to have a conversation with my 55 year old empty nested self. Since time travel is impossible, I'm asking you all. What would you tell your younger self, who is mired in the small children, sleep deprived phase of life about life?

Does it get better?

Ha, 51 and far from an empty nest.