The Golden Rules of Parenting

[JustineMumsnet]

What would yours be? (We are just mulling this in the office) Mine would be not to say: No, NO NOO, oh alright then...

never leave doors open with a baby 'because they can't climb stairs'. They've been practising for this very moment (and they can move bloody fast when they want to)

What goes in one end comes out the other but with more mess and smell so thing before you feed it to the child! A rule written out for my DH when he feeds DD a punnet of strwberries, grapes and tomatoes!

Never ask a child to do anything at all without knowing why and having a good, rational explanation for your child at hand.

Don't have glitter in the house - save it for nursery

Pick your battles.

Take a deep breath and say (to yourself) "it's a phase"

repeat as required.

My golden rules is don't rely on rules. Life is fluid.

Don't necessarily take seriously everything that comes out of your child's mouth.

This sounds remedial but I used to be really hurt when my ds says for example, he wants a house with only his dad, sister and brother in it or that he wants his sister gone.

They don't really know what they're saying and how it can hurt.

Don't leave dishes soaking in the sink with your 3 and 6 yo playing in the next room, while you go and check for coffee mugs to wash

Buy an ipod/earplugs.

Get them to bed before pouring yourself a rum punch/gin and tonic/cold beer (delate as appropriate)

Don't lose your sense of humour.

Don't, even when they plead allow them to put gold tinsel on your Christmas tree especially when one of them is only 1 year old. You'll be hoovering up tinsel every sodding day until 6th Jan.

What Stealthsquiggle said, pretty much - everything IS just a phase. So don't panic

Babies are not stupid.

Bribery rules......

Bribery definitely has a place on this list imo. It's so deliciously non violent but just as effective

Babies and children will not learn to talk fluently and with a wide vocabulary unless they spend their days with articulate adults who both talk to them and hold conversations with other articulate adults within their hearing.

never run out of wine or chocolate.

oh, and silence equals trouble, often involving indelible stains.

Little children need boundaries and routine.

Again, the phrase 'this too will pass' is a good one ....

The fact that I am a survivor of the '70's gives me hope ...

Don't say 'no' without being able to explain why. You're a teacher, not a tyrant.

Routine and boundaries are the subject of negotiation and compromise between children and their carers.

Pick you battles carefully, or you'll turn into a harridan.

nowhere is out of reach to a determined 4 year old

If it all gets too much,put child in a room where they can't harm themselves and walk away.....for a while.