My husband is 51 and we have a 3 year old boy and a 12 week old boy; this is not his first marriage, but ours are his only children. Funny thing about life-it is TRULY all in your attitude. Some people lament that they had children early because they were "young and dumb", didn't understand life enough to take time to truly appreciate the little things and guide their children properly, that they were just starting out and working so hard that they just worked and missed out on much of their kids' childhood, or that they didn't get to live their own life and can't wait for the kids to grow up so they can retire and try to experience "their own life". Some people lament that they had children late and don't have energy, or patience, or they are tired and just want to relax now in their old age, but now they have to work and plan for the future. Financial responsibilities seem to be an issue to whine about, no matter what age. My dad was pathetic as a dad, and he was very young. All he did was work. He chose work over us 100% of the time. Sure, he bought the expensive softball glove for me, but didn't attend a single game in 6 years, and a neighbor taught me to catch. He is now in his late 50s, remarried, and adopted a girl who is now 6 years old. He thinks this is his chance to get it right and apply all his life lessons that he's gained through the years and redeem himself. As for my husband, he's the best father I've ever met, even though (or because?) he's 51. SURE he gets tired! SURE the boys get on his nerves sometimes! SURE he has concerns about when retirement will come for us. (My plan is that as my youngest starts going to mother's day out, then preschool, etc I'll be taking classes and when the youngest goes starts school I'll start working.....I don't want all the burden on him....I want him to be able to retire when he's 65....I'm a lot younger than he is). But we try our best to get good sleep, we hold family time sacred, and he may not be able to comfortably play soccer with them in a few years, but he is an amazing man to know and he provides input, unconditional love, the gift of just knowing him, teaching them humor, math, paper planes, stories, exciting historical things for guys (real pirates and knights and fighter pilots, etc). They take walks in the woods and explore everything from a rotting log and bugs to animal tracks to whatever. He takes the 3 year old fishing, they love to fly kites and go to highschool football games (though my son thinks it's just for the marching bands at this age). He needs to readjust his attitude, see how special your family is and fall in love with them, and then realize how special HE is and what he has to offer, no matter what his age. Then he needs to think about taking walks around the block or through the park or woods, boys in tow even, for some exercise to keep him young and a chance to have "man talks" as we call it. I have membership to a local gym and my husband just joined up so he can come with me. Time together to improve ourselves, have some fun, and also help him stay in shape so he will have more energy, flexability, and strength. I'd suggest that for your husband, but also I think he could be psyching himself out if he doesn't understand what a special relationship he can have and how valuable he is to their lives.