If you could go back in time what would you do differently (as a parent)

[CostaCosta]

Just that really. If your children are grown up now, do you wish you would have done anything differently, done more of something or less of something?

Nothing really, maybe I'd have really pushed myself financially and bought a caravan or holiday home. Holidays were next to impossible with 4 children.
My youngest could possibly have done with more individual attention but I don't have any regrets.

Saved DS's baby clothes. I have kept a couple of bits, but at the time everything was such a horrible blur and I just didn't think. I wish I'd kept his first babygro, first shoes etc.

I wish I know what I could have done different. 18 year old DS has severe MH problems. It's hard not to blame yourself and wonder how it happened.

@Shitzngiggles if you’re having to think hard about what went wrong or what you could of done different then I doubt it was you that caused it, don’t blame yourself x

Got my (adopted) DDs some proactive therapeutic input in their early teens, well before they showed signs of needing any help.

Taken more pictures of dc2 as a baby.

Insisted less on putting DD1 in her crib.... she cried so much..... I was next to her but definitely not the right way.... don't really understand how I could have let everyone's opinion get to me

Done a local antenatal class and got help with breastfeeding first time around. Taken more photos and video second time around.

I’d have changes someone my toddler wrangling strategies too.

Print photos from the start. Get more sleep early with them. Remember that it’s just a difficult phase for first 4years, esp for your relationship with Partner. Still working out the rest, but I think regular things like Sunday walks, little family rituals help to cement memories

more photos definately, more videos and more trips away.....sometimes l just didn't have the energy!

Also would have liked more children despite the lack of energy at times!

Similar to grey12, enjoyed the first year with DD1 more and just gone with the flow, rather than thinking “I must get this baby into a routine/get her to fall asleep on her own”. In my defence, I was totally und utterly shellshocked by the birth and having a baby in general and developed PND. I though I would never get any kind of “normal” life back unless I got her into a strict routine. With DD2 I was so much more relaxed, cuddled her to sleep when she needed it, came into bed with her... things I would never have entertained with DD1!

Choose your battles.

Paid to have measles, mumps and rubella given separately. MMR had a terrible affect of one of my kids (literally changed them overnight). It's my biggest regret in life.

The other thing (as a bloke) would be that to spread paternity leave over a year or more would make way more sense. To be able to give a couple of extra hours a day or a whole day a week over an extended period during the first year would have been so much more beneficial than a few weeks at the beginning.

Not done it.

I was shit at it.

Insist that homework was a priority.

I wouldn't have breastfed my eldest.

I would have pushed sooner and harder for a diagnosis.

I would have kept a paper trail from the moment I started having discussions with her school about her disability. Got everything in writing, emails, kept the emails.

Nothing.

I did the best I could and that is enough.

Speak out I love this answer I wish that was how more people felt and its so true for the majority

Don't have preconceived ideas about their abilities and interests
Praised effort rather than attainment
Listened more as teens

The third dc has a very different childhood than her older sisters

My DS is only 15 months now but I wish I'd taken maternity leave. He was born on the Saturday (just gone midnight) and I was WFH on the Monday. Did that for two months and then was back in the office until Covid hit. I think he hates me.

I would have been a SAHM.
I worked in hospitality and didn't earn enough for childcare. So, I worked evenings and weekends. That was fine when they were small, once they started school I never saw them.
School holidays were just horrible, sickness was a nightmare. By the time they reached double figures they were left alone at home or came and sat in the car/office whilst I worked. Thankfully I was very lucky and they were very sensible children.
Now they are adults, i realise what i missed out on, and what they sacrificed, in order for me to earn peanuts.
Your children only get one childhood, and once it's gone, you can never get it back.
Now I have a new small person, I stay at home. We scrape by, and I get every second I can with her.

I would have shouted less ( had four in seven years). I was exhausted working night shifts and weekends and never got a break. If I had my time again I would have got a daytime job and claimed benefits for childcare so that I got at least some kind of break.

Not had any

@Shitzngiggles I could have written the exact same thing. My DD2 is the same age and has bi polar and learning disabilities.