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Original poster

Mumsnet needs your best parenting tips!

213 replies

Justine (mumsnet) · 21/10/2004 14:36

As part of the publicity for our forthcoming TV extravaganza - Mums the Word on Discovery Health (due on Nov 8th) - we are putting together a piece for the Guardian on mums' the top tips/ advice/ mantras from the parenting front line. It's supposed to be fairly light-hearted and witty - which is where you come in - and can be anything from something you wish you'd known much earlier to a really practical solution to an everyday parenting problem that you never would have dreamed would have worked before you'd tried it. The idea is to be a bit more colourful/ amusing than our usual daily tip on the home page so feel free to embellish a bit and use anecdotes. Many thanks in advance - can't wait to see them.

OP posts:
JiminyCricket · 21/10/2004 21:21

No one warned me singing (wheels on the bus in public, without embarrassment)would be such an essential part of parenting...

MrsWednesday · 21/10/2004 21:17

Breast-feeding is harder (and more painful) than it looks.

Children can remember the swear words you've uttered accidentally in their presence better than they can remember to say please and thank you.

unicorn · 21/10/2004 21:07

Don't ever go to the toilet for a emm 'number 2' when your children are around...
It will be an unpleasant/unsatisfactory and rushed affair...
Save it until they are asleep (and get constipated!)

Tiggiwinkle · 21/10/2004 21:00

If you give in to your childs pleas for a pet, accept that it will be YOU that cares for it- however much they promise to feed it, clean it out or take it for walks!

SenoraPostrophe · 21/10/2004 20:55

lol www! ds's toys are mostly boxes, lids and the catflap. Best watch out.

My tip is: never mind vests and pants, you can never have enough flannels! Baby wipes just can't cut it when t comes to removing dried-on snot, didn't-smell-it-soon-enough poo and yoghurt. Lots of pants are handy too though. And socks.

Also dummies are in fact the greatest invention of all time.

Eeek · 21/10/2004 20:53

underwired bras can hold a surprising amount of sick. stick with the floppy sort

unicorn · 21/10/2004 20:51

But soupy..mn teaches children to be computer aware!
'get off the computer mummy' (says ds aged 2, when I am on MN)

WideWebWitch · 21/10/2004 20:50

Soupdragon, oh no, my ds does that too!

hercules · 21/10/2004 20:50

sometimes making up a bottle is actually less hassle mentally than breastfeeding.

SoupDragon · 21/10/2004 20:48

Mumsnet results in neglected, children addicted to cable TV who always look for you at the PC first if they want you.

Hausfrau · 21/10/2004 20:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

unicorn · 21/10/2004 20:44

sudocreme daubed all over doors and carpets is just their 'artistic endeavours'.. and should be encouraged!!

EvesMama · 21/10/2004 20:43

dont let them trick you into bed sharing (unless YOU want to) cleveler little things in getting their own way and you getting no sleep or snuggles with dp

unicorn · 21/10/2004 20:42

www lol

WideWebWitch · 21/10/2004 20:41

Babies are just as happy with the box something came in as they would be with any toy you could buy them. And so the second child owns mostly boxes that boring things came in.

Twiglett · 21/10/2004 18:59

never wake a sleeping baby

Twiglett · 21/10/2004 18:59

Get all your advice on how to raise children out of the way before you have your first ... cos afterwards you'll be surprised at how much you've forgotten

Never try to get your child to repeat the remarkable accomplishment to anyone else .. they invariably will do something different

If your child is sitting quietly in the garden with his back to you, he's probably eating either a snail or a worm

Hausfrau · 21/10/2004 18:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

codswallop · 21/10/2004 18:42

yes and be toos cared t go int ot heir room if they sleep in in case they are dead. ( me)

you wil know all t he thomas engines names and numbers.

SoupDragon · 21/10/2004 18:41

You will prod your sleeping baby just to check they're still alive.

misty · 21/10/2004 18:41

If there's a hole, something WILL be posted into it.

codswallop · 21/10/2004 18:40

oh misty so true
and let sleeping babies lie

CountessDracula · 21/10/2004 18:39

Whatever you think having a child will be like is not what having a child is like.

misty · 21/10/2004 18:37

If they are quiet, they are up to something (naughty!).

Hausfrau · 21/10/2004 18:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.