I don’t read any parenting books

[MrsCremuel]

But everyone in my NCT group does! I feel like a contrary Mary rocking up to the WhatsApp with no behaviour techniques to recommend. I am aware of the schools of thought and suppose I’m attchmenty with limits (of patience mainly) but I tend to follow my instinct and ask my mum if a bit stuck.

The truth is I’d rather use my reading time on a good fiction but feel like a negligent parent! Is it just me? My DS is 2 and lovely by the way with the odd tantrum.

I’ve only dipped in and out of them when I needed help with a specific issue. I read all of the oh crap it’s potty training time and some of how to talk so little kids will listen but that’s it. I’m not able to ask my Mum for advice.

I haven't read any books as such just acticles now and again when I want some help as my eldest got older.

Good idea! If you read too many you end up with conflicting advice anyway!

I have two (youngest is preschool age) and honestly I've never read a parenting book. Some books about birth and breastfeeding before they were born, yes. But if I have rare time for reading, I wouldn't choose to read books about parenting. Both of mine are very much still alive and well!

Problem is that a lot of sources are not based in anything other than personal opinion.

But the reality is that we all have a lot to learn about how to raise kids and it remarkable that there is no formal training or qualifications required😅

I haven't read a single parenting book either and my dd is nearly 3. If I have any sepcific issues ,regarding behaviour management and the like, then I'll have a mooch on forum sites or do a google search for ideas. People always compliment my daughter on her manners and good behaviour.
My friend gave me a potty training book when dd turned two but it just went in the cupboard. She's potty trained very well without it - I told her what the potty was for, put it in the corner of the bathroom an told her to use it when she felt like it. A few months later she started using it of her own accord and we've hardly had any accidents. Parents used to manage perfectly fine before parenting books came along.

I am yet to meet a child that has read the books to tell them what they should be doing when and how!

My dc are 16 and 14 and I could count on 0 hands the number of parenting books I've read.
They are (mostly) polite, well behaved teens so don't seem to have suffered suffered my negligence.

I've read them for specific things like sleep (took 2.5 years to get a single solid nights sleep) and toilet training. Also more science-y books about child development because it's interesting to me.

No way would I ask my mum, my parents fucked up parenting and she continues to do so.

I wing it and always have, learning on the job.

I read all of the parenting books does time. What a good student I was

Except my baby couldn't read and therefore had no clue what she was supposed to be doing and I spent time feeling like I'd failed when I tried something set out in the book/s and it didn't work.

Honestly parenting books are a waste of time and energy. You'll learn the basics of baby care at your antenatal class and for anything else you're unsure of (there will be many things) ask a more experienced mum that you trust or ask on here!

I havent read any and I dont feel like im any worse off for it

You’re on here though, so clearly prepared to spend some of your limited free time reading about what other people and their children do

I didn't read any till my second child hit three and started biting everyone and fighting with their older sibling 😂
You will read them if you need them I'm sure. Enjoy the peace!

I've got 3 DC (4, 3 and 0) and no parenting books here. If I'm stuck I ask some of my mum friends (from a playgroup)

Ha, you and I should swap NCT groups! I’m obsessed with parenting books (they all contradict each other ) and everyone I know tells me to ignore them!