WITH two little nieces coming into the world recently, life has completely changed.

Work takes on a new meaning as the thought arises that one day, were I to meet the right person, this would be happening to me and protection, providing for and loving them would take over in bringing up the little ones.

I don't know why so many men seem to disappear once they have fathered a child, but I suspect in many cases priorities clash - football, the pub and the bookies don't agree with changing nappies, comforting a crying child, feeding, dressing and loving 24 hours a day, seven days a week for many years.

I believe it is men who must count the cost of a relationship. They seem to have no idea what women want.

I suggest men go to childhood studies courses and try tap water instead of beer, nappy changing instead of TV and opening a savings account instead of the bookies.

BARRY WALSH, Calgary Avenue, Lammack, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.