Mumsnet Talk

Hi

My DS is 18 on Monday. (sob)

As my parents died when I was in my early 20s and I've really missed their advice over the years, I've bought a gorgeous little book and I'm writing in it all the things I think it's useful to know. I've called it 'The Little Book of Hindsight ... or How Not To Bugger It Up'

I've put funny things in as well as serious things eg the correct response when a woman asks if her bum looks big in this (and an example of an incorrect response for fun). I've said try to save 1/4 of your net income etc etc.

I know he needs to learn by his own mistakes but I thought this would be nice - and it isn't a book of rules.

He knows I'm writing it and likes the idea but asked for it to be funny.

Please can you help.

The oldest one-don't eat yellow snow. What a cracking idea, especially with the reasoning behind it.

sounds like something to show to a publisher, love the sound of it! Maybe someone on here could point you in the right direction.

Good one Lisaro

No I'd never want to publish such a personal thing - but I can see it might be an idea that would catch on.

I'm leaving blank pages too so he can put things in for himself when he learns them and maybe pass it to his own kids.

Though I don't intend 'checking out' until my kids/grandkids are sick to death of me. Bloody parents - I hadn't finished with them yet. <dark humour - in case anyone thinks I am a raging narc>

Oh I see - this could be taken for a fake thread for a publisher! Sorry, penny finally drops!

No I'm genuine, honest. Though I have namedchanged recently so I can see why you might think that. Please do ask the powers that be to check my history if you'd like to be sure.

Ok I've got myself in a bit of a stew about this looking like a 'fishing/troll' post so I've reported it to HQ and asked them to check me out.

I would really appreciate some help with this.

And thread title should be DS not DH (force of habit) - clue to why I namechanged

If she says she is FINE she isn't

Feel the fear and do it anyway ( obviously not stealing cars or jumping off cliffs)

Thanks Mrsjay - the first one made me laugh out loud. It's also really useful as I'm the only female in the house so he will need 'breaking in'

Off to work now.

sprry my post was genuine, i'm not a troll seeker, have better things to do. I was serious.

I still think it'd be worth considering.......stack up a few pennies for the future.

How about some work ones: If a recruitment agency mentions casually that they do "a lot of work for X company" or "X company is one of our best clients" ask if X company is massively expanding. If these aren't new roles, then the reason they are a great client for the recuitment agency is that they can't hold staff. Any company that can't hold onto staff is to be avoided, you'll be one of those looking to move in 6 months time.

If you are overpaid for the market/your level of experience, you'll be the first to go when the economy takes a downturn, this is not a good position to be in long term.

When you go for a job interview, reception staff and secretarial staff are often asked their opinion of the person being interviewed, you are being interviewed from the second you walk through the front door of the building, not from the second you walk into the interview room.

Sounds like a fantastic idea!

My mother's advice to me throughout my life has always been 'always have something to fall back on', ie equip yourself with skills that you can use in different jobs etc.

Also, when I was leaving for university - if you are miserable it's probably not worth it and don't join a cult.

That advice has served me pretty well!

Pizza is not a balanced breakfast (unless it has peppers or pineapple on it, one of your 5 a day!)

Never get a tattoo when drunk.

Don't let your washing build up. <stares at laundry pile and weeps>

Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things.

Never miss an opportunity to make a great memory.

Beer before wine- feeling fine. Wine before beer- feeling queer. (learnt that one the hard way, bleurgh vom)

Always public back your DP, save telling them you think there were in the wrong for private - public face (including with your own family!) should always be a united front.

Great advice from a friend of mine that has stood me in good stead: always look people in the eye and smile.
Other things I've learned:
Be nice. It's so easy to be bitchy and put people down but it always comes back to bite you.
Find out what you enjoy doing and do it as much as you can, that way you'll build skills doing something that makes you happy.
Do whatever you're doing to the best of your ability even if you don't like it or didn't choose to do it - people will notice and you'll get opportunities to do the things you do love and are good at (see above!)
Totally agree with 'if she says she's FINE she isn't " by the way

Always look after your shoes properly. You'll save yourself a fortune.

Oh, and surely you have to add 'did you mean to be so rude?'? That should be printed on babies at birth

Try and save 10% of your salary, but at worse have a months salary in your account to fall back on.

Test your boiler in May. It will save you having to frantically get quotes in September (just wrote this in DHs hindsight book)

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

HIV doesn't just happen to other people.

Never piss into the wind.

Just do it!

Wear sun lotion.
The photos you star in now will still be there when you get married. Be careful.
Spending your student loan on a load of old bolleaux is bad. YOu will still be paying for that night out in 15 years time.

Sometimes it is better to seek forgiveness after than ask permission before.

Look after your teeth - your smile is one of your biggest assets. It will give you confidence and make you more attractive.

Be generous with your time and your love. You get back what you put in to relationships.

Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

Never be too friendly in the office. You want to be the one people like, but are ever so slightly scared of.

Don't be anyone's doormat.

Another - give credit where credit is due. Train your staff well, and acknowledge their work. Loyalty works both ways.

When everything seems to be going wrong, it probably wasn't right in the first place.

When there is no light at the end of the tunnel - stomp on down and turn the bugger on yourself. i.e make things happen.