Caution!

Hey little boy,

It's hard to dispense advice, because it's usually useless. The 'head fake' strategy that "the Last Lecture" guy (google him!) gave is a better tactic, but I don't have the energy to manipulate my advice into an interesting story.

My advice is that when you're all grown up, married and planning a family, please set aside money for your wife/gf/common-in-law so she doesn't feel she has to work through her pregnancy. Of course, this fund is also called an emergency fund, and is used throughout your life for all sorts of not-being-able-to-work situations, but I think the problem is that you wouldn't consider pregnancy an emergency. I'll bet you marry someone who doesn't have this issue, or you live somewhere like Hawaii where no one gets sick, but right now, if I knew I could take 2 weeks to recover from Christmas/a minor cold, I would. But I can't put that weight on your pops. Don't worry, he's been doing all our cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands, but I can't ask more of him in this way.

I hope you have a life where money isn't such an impediment to happiness. Or health. I hope you are so strong whether that means athletic, or strong mentally so you don't have stress killing you like it does me. And I hope you never feel bound to stay somewhere if you're unhappy, even if I beg you to stay.

Back to my advice, I get a little mushy sometimes. Joint bank account, and tell her you put aside this much for her. Do it as a surprise (set up a different account obviously). Think of it like an engagement ring fund, but one that will actually make her feel cared for and supported, rather than superficially above her friend with this or that diamond. Seems smart to me, doubt your gf/wife will understand.