What was the best piece of advice ever given to you on becoming a parent?

[mrsnoah]

Or if you didnt get any advice, what would you pass on to someone else?

My mum: 'When I was younger I used to think what you did was terribly important, but I've changed my mind now - most children seem to turn out all right no matter what you do.'

I do like Kitbit's advice, especially 'babies like Abba'. So true.

cuddles make everything better

If anyone tries to offer you advice you don't want to take, just say 'Thank you. I'll bear that in mind'.

Also, remember that you never really 'have' your children - they are only on loan to you. When they grow up, if they want to go and live on the other side of the world, you have to let them go.

Get them used to a bottle before 6 weeks (even if fully breastfeeding) if you want any freedom in the next year. That was from a friend who had her baby first, I found that extremely useful.

Decide before the birth that breastfeeding is your job, nappies is his. Always, especially at night.

Totally agree with these...

Especially, 'this too shall pass', tis all about phases.

And 'pick your battles'.

Also the bit about breastfeeding, sleep, feed, etc. So true. I could hardly go out the first 6 weeks anyway (although I did!) with all the leaking and tiredness but had lovely times with dd, DVDs, books and knitting.

Oh and the 'babies should be shared' is great too.

As a single parent with family and father around, there was a fair amount of passing around and still is!

'they're babies for such a short time, but toddlers for ever' (said in a tone of great world-weariness by a woman I met in the co-op). DS is 10 months now, and we call him our proto-toddler. I'm glad I was warned (if that's the right word) just how quickly the tiny baby phase would pass, because I loved it and wouldn't have wanted to miss a minute, so I made sure I didn't!