Share your best parenting tips/advice

[willsmum]

There are so many great ideas in this forum that I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone thinks is the best advice or tip they have ever been given about parenting.

Ours was deceptively simple - just 2 words - but it fits any number of situations both good and bad, and reminds us why we became parents in the first place.

As we were leaving hospital the midwife gave bub a last cuddle and as she handed her back, simply said:

"Enjoy her."

And we do.

[Michele Crocker]

Hi,

I agree you with the best tip of parenting is to enjoy your baby.

I was also told when I first had my first child is that you can listen to everyone else's advice whether you take that advice or not is up to you but you are the parent and what you feel right with and comfortable with you should go with and don't worry about other people critizing you. It is your child and and you are the parent and you are the one making the decisions not anybody else.

Michele
Mother of Christopher, Luke, Melissa, Jayden and ?(due in November)

[Jen]

I was told "they do what you do, they say what you say, and most importantly they say it how you say it."
Whenver I'm really annoyed I try and remember this,.,, it is scary to hear my angry voice coming back sometimes
Jen, mum of two boys 1 and 3

[mamafelix]

Follow your instincts.
No one knows your child better than you- trust your own judgements.

[Elfin]

This is a great thread. I think for me it was to never attack the child (i mean verbally) but address the behaviour. To build up their self esteem as much as possible and ignore all the silly advice given at the supermarket, child health etc and trust your own parenting instincts.

On a more practical note. Paw Paw Ointment has been the best stuff I have discovered for nappy rash, dry skin, heat rash and to help remove the scuzz build up in belly buttons :D

[xkwzit]

This was the most helpful (and simply profound) thing I've ever read. It ALWAYS give me an immediate, positive change in my state of mind and it helps me to positively reinforce "good" behaviour in my girls (even in the 10.5 month old :D )

[Graeme]

I like all the tips suggested.

I agree that the best tip for me was to enjoy being with them. I also appreciated people who encouraged us to trust our gut feelings.

Must admit that I found it reassuring to know (with the first one) that her head wouldn't fall off if I didn't hold her correctly! :o

Graeme

[mumof2girls]

I think most people are right you know your children better than anyone else so you do what you think best, also though I think you need to listen to your children to know what they want/need. This may sound silly but who better to tell you than the child themselves, even if it is "just crying" you know their cries and what they mean etc.

[shellbell]

Jen, you gave me a good little chuckle :D i have a 2yr 9mth old daughter and some of the things she says and the way she says them - its like looking in a mirror (not always a good thing), but it does make me laugh

my piece of advice - never make you children wait for attention. housework can wait, your babies shouldn't have to.

[StormAngel]

hi

the only ones that stick in my mind are

enjoy your bub, :D and listen to advice then use your own instincts ;)

[willsmum]

Having just scraped mashed banana out of my daughters nose and eyebrows, my best practical tip is to NEVER use bibs that pull over their heads!!!! Yeuchhh!!

[Graeme]

Good advice Wills Mum. I will remember it :)

I also like the advice to remember that our children are people too (i.e. they're not just kids), so Mumof2girls' advice to listen to our children makes a lot of sense to me.

Graeme

[mumof2girls]

Thanks Graeme knew sometime in my life I would say something useful (haha).

One piece of information that I can give the parents of young children (as mine are a bit older) never take anything your children say and dismiss it. My hubby & I have always listened to our children and never dismissed things they say (& they come up with some great stuff) but we have so much trust between each of us and our girls are so honest & open that they are such a joy to be around.

I know that I ramble on but working in childcare and hearing parents tell their children who they haven't seen all day to tell them later really annoys me as they are trying to share their day with their parents and they just don't listen and if only the parents knew what the children tell us!

We love our children so much and to see them achieve their goals and grow into the young women they are, is such a satisfying experience and believe me it goes all to quickly!