Take a good look before calling the older gentleman with the small child “grandpa.” He may well be one of the growing breed of older dads.

Just last week, 66-year-old actor Nick Nolte became the proud father of a baby girl, and on Monday music mogul Tommy Mottola, 58, announced the birth of his first child with pop signer Thalia.

These high-profile new dads are prime examples of a growing trend for later-life fatherhood, says educational psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba.

“It’s clearly becoming more common, and for a number of reasons,” she says. “A lot of these are start-over dads, which means it’s not their first marriage, while many first-time older dads have held off due to their careers.” …

“Many start-over dads realize they put more time and effort into their jobs than they did with their families the first time around, and realize that was a mistake. So it’s a second chance to get it right,” Borba explains.

Whether it’s a first or second shot at fatherhood, Borba says older dads can outshine their younger counterparts in a number of ways.

“Number one, you get perspective with wisdom and gray hair, meaning you worry less about the little things,” she explains. “Second of all, there’s that little boost called fear of mortality. You get things done.”

Having financial stability and an established career also helps older dads spend more stress-free quality time with their offspring, she says…

Source: New York Daily News, NY
http://tinyurl.com/35bq2m