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

[Flickstix]

Be it from mumsnet or real life!

My mum has always said - don't waste worry on every little thing - save it up and have a big worry when you really need to.

"It's not having what you want: it's wanting what you've got." (unexpected wisdom from a pop song - in this case, Sheryl Crow)

The best advice I'VE ever given:

To any prospective mother: learn to breastfeed lying down (and this is the ONLY advice I give in this situation).

To my 9 year old step-daughter: don't start smoking and learn the miracle of compound interest.

Also investment in bricks and mortar is about the only investment you can completely control yourself and which reliably and safely holds value over 30+ years, and through currency devaluation.

I wish mine had Boffin, I've lost thousands between buying and selling my house. Should have just rented.

"Don't practice till you can get it right. Practice until you can't get it wrong". Thanks, Mr Collins (piano teacher)

Always remember a child being naughty may be seeking more love / attention.

Take this perspective first before resorting to telling off. Children arent 'bad' for no reason

do whatever it takes to get you through
do what you want; it will be fine
(childbirth and new baby)

Oh, and 'Give up the right to be right' ie don't argue just for the sake of proving your point

Don't buy the cow if you can get the milk for free.

Or meat in this case: befreebies.com/oscar-meyer-pulled-pork.php

It's none of your business what people think of you!

Keep swimming
Keep swimming
Keep swimming

Treasure every day, you dont know when it will be taken away.

Oh and mine's dedicated to anyone coping with a newborn and toddler in less than easy circumstances. You can do it!

Some advice I've been given is good, but I've been incapable of taking it. For example, being told not to dwell on things too much or worry about things that will never happen is fine advice, but if you're the sort of person who dwells or worries, knowing that you shouldn't isn't going to stop you.

There is one piece of advice I remember from Feel the Fear that I try to follow, and which I've also passed onto DD, which is, if work (or any situation) is making you unhappy, behave as if you enjoy it, and then it's more likely that you will enjoy it. As a result I try to approach even dull pieces of work with the enthusiasm that I bring to interesting pieces of work, on the basis that if I treat it as if it's interesting, then it will become interesting. (It's difficult to explain this well, but in the book she gives an example of a woman with a job she hates, and she starts treating it as if she loves it, bringing in fresh flowers for her desk and making cheerful conversation with her colleagues, and it helps her enjoy the job more.)

• save a bit, spend a bit
• waste not, want no
• not all truths should be said
• never leave a room empty handed
• eat less, exercise more
• talk less, listen more

Don't eat yellow snow :)

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Count your blessings.

The toddler years do eventually pass.

And never, ever dunk a rich tea biscuit for longer than 2 seconds

There was one I read in a Guardian article about marriage counselling that stayed with me: Remember, the other person doesn't think they're wrong.

It's funny because it's incredibly simple and obvious, yet a lot of time in an argument you imagine the other person is being difficult purely to annoy you. If you realise that in their mind their position is completely legitimate, but that you are deliberately being difficult, it does actually help.

I think "seize the moment" is good - making the most of opportunities when you see them makes a difference IMHO

Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react to it.

"Don't pick it"

And

"Always wear matching underwear"

Courtesy of DMum.

The person who smiles and always asks how you are is the person who will stab you in the back.

Those that matter don't mind, those that mind don't matter.

"Only you can make you happy"

"Just because I'm not doing it your way, I'm not necessarily doing it wrong" (said frequently by DH regarding childcare/housework. It is true)

and, possibly most importantly
"If it's not making you happy, make it change".

I'm still a miserable, critical old bag though!