Parents of teens and older

[fallollop]

What advice would you give to parents of toddlers, or to yourself when your children were that age?

Choose your battles. Parenting is bloody exhausting so don’t spend all day battling. Some things are non negotiable (for me it was/is manners, toothbrushing, honesty, kindness). Some are not really an issue - who cares if they’re still in their pyjamas at 3 o’clock on a Sunday if you’ve got nothing planned and nowhere to be?

As they get older don’t be their best friend. That’s weird, they should have their own friends. You’re their parent. The one that sets boundaries, makes them brush their teeth, guides them, inspires them and loves them unconditionally.

I’m not really obsessed with teeth by the way! It’s just a good example 😄

Thanks all, some very helpful and genuinely lovely advice.