It's a great question. My son is 11. If you'd asked me when he was 3 or 4, I may have said it wasn't worth it. Now, I 100% feel it was worth it. It's a pain, forces you to change your life priorities, but overall it's made me into a better person as I try to embody the attitude and behaviors that he'll want. There's also nothing better at washing away the stresses of the day than the gigantic hug I get when I walk in the door.