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 Relationships

• Never get involved with a man who is 'getting his band together'. (letsblowthistacostand)
• If your DH says he wants breakfast in bed, chuck a sleeping bag onto the kitchen floor. (MamaG)
• Mother-in-law annoying you with useless advice? Mentally append the following to her comments: 'and look how messed up my family are'. You'll no longer feel the need to bludgeon her with a teaspoon. (whomovedmychocolate)
• If you're feeling fed up with your partner, look at some old photo albums together (pics of you with and without kids). It will remind you of good times and why you liked each other in the first place. (monty)
• Don't point score with your partner (I changed the last nappy etc) but praise them for any little thing they do. As much as it grates, positive feedback will result in them continuing to help. (Issb)
• Be nice to your in-laws. They will love having your little brat for the weekend - and your little brat will still be an angel to them, no matter how badly they've actually behaved. (joannie)
• If you possibly can, organise a night off from your child for you and your partner. We left our one yr old son with my parents and went to a hotel for the night - a brief break from the responsibility and a good sleep made me feel 10 years younger.
• When trying to make friends with other parents, go to everything you can that is offered for children your child's age and get to them slightly early so that you can chat to the few who are there before all their friends arrive. (Hilary)
• I know not everyone can do this, but if you can, leave your partner to look after the kids alone for a day every now and again and resist the temptation to leave lists of intructions. It's good for everyone to realise you're not the only one who can run things, and should promote bonding and understanding all round (on a good day!).
• To pacify a troublesome toddler, plonk her in front of an animated, musical website such as www.fishydance.com. She'll be entranced and you can relax in the knowledge that you're nurturing a web genius instead of a couch potato. (Linsey)