What's the best advice you're ever been given?

[Flickstix]

Be it from mumsnet or real life!

Never date an actor or a bartender.

Don't doubt yourself.

Happy Mummy, happy baby.

Planning and preparation prevents piss poor performance

Your first marriage doesn't have to last long

It is better to walk alone than be badly accompanied.

Banish it to the light.
(a very motivational manager used to say this about the things we could not change)

You can't be responsible for what other people do, you can only be responsible for what you do.

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.

Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor.

It's better to be late in this world, than early in the next.

Ie don't drive too fast!

Take a step back / sleep on it.

love this thread, very motivational.

One from MN: 'tell people they can visit you any time, but if they want to visit your house then make an appointment' makes me feel better about my less than domestic-goddess ways!
'Nothing tastes as good as thin feels' - i know its controversial but it always reminds me that 1 chocolate is probably enough and eating the whole box is unnecessary.
'live with no regrets' good confidence boost when about to do anything scary
'realise the value of money' good for ensuring money isn't wasted on trivial stuff I don't need.

I love the one on here about raising children 'make sure their world is a good place' - will remember that.

I heard another version of that Morris ...

Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance !

You get more P's in that way !

From a mad teacher in 6th form: If you make yourself into a doormat, people will wipe their feet on you.

From everyone else in 6th form: If you can't be good, be careful. And if you can't be careful, remember the date.

From my old WoW guild: Don't stand in the fire! (I always did.)

Everyone has faults. Ensure you know what someone's are and you can live with them before moving in with them, as you can't change them. Goes double if you are going to have children.

Biology teacher: if you're only using one method of contraception, you aren't using reliable contraception.

Advice from magazine on same teacher's wall: anyone who says "if you loved me, you'd... [have sex, whatever]" is a) wrong and b) probably doesn't love you.

1. It's OK to hate your DH sometimes

2. All men make cabbagey smells

MrsPnut and that's why I always tell my kids, " I plan things, not promise them, because plans can/will change, but promises must be kept. The only thing I promise is that I will always love you! the rest - we'll see.."

Do not cast your pearl before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. (Matthew 7:6)

"Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em"

A gem from Mr Kenny Logan

i.e. know when to persist and when to cut your losses

-do as you would be done by
-to win by a nose you have to stick your neck out
-seize the day
-see no evil say no evil hear no evil
-children are like rosebuds, they haven't flowered yet and need nurturing
-know thy enemy

You can't light the world but you can light a candle. Said to me by my lovely GP when I was in the throes of depression.

Children prefer quantity to quality. Especially when it comes to time. Ths was told to me byone of myuncles whose kids are all grownup now.

'Spend less time working on your appearance, and more time on your personality - looks fade, but your personality is with you forever. Be loved for the person you are, not what you look like.'

From a book I read as a shallow, bullied, looks-obsessed teenager.

Actions speak louder than words, this has come in very useful!

what goes around comes around

We have dust protection respirator helmets that draw breathing air from behind you and filter it.

The advice I was given was "Don't fart while you're wearing it".

Also if your DB asks you to pull his finger, don't. For the same reason.

some days are rocks, some days are diamonds

you know you'll have a crap day when the bird singing outside your window is a vulture

In RL, my friend who's a HV told me when I got pregnant to ignore what everyone tells me especially other parents, just smile nicely say thank you and then do what feels right for me.

I've also been told that if I don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all...

Never date a man who takes longer to get ready in the bathroom mirror than you do...

People can take you as you are or not at all.
My mum said that to me right before a date I was getting really nervous about.
It's stayed with me and helps me to remember to stay true to myself.

always polish your shoes the night before

nip it in the bud

failing to prepare is preparing to fail

better to be safe than sorry

keep your eyes wide open before you get married, you'll have to shut one after

always say you are sorry, even if you are not ready to forgive (just by saying it you'll be one step closer to forgive)

let sleeping dogs - and BABIES - lie!

keep what's precious high up, out of sight - nobody ever looks up

There where you go, do as you see

By grandad and uncle, being from another country and talking about cultural differences. I think if everyone followed this advice it would be a lot less trouble everywhere.
I always stick to it.

People that worry about being good parents - are good parents.

"Sometimes you just have to jump off and build your wings on the way down." (my dad).