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The Golden Rules of Parenting

386 replies

JustineMumsnet · 17/12/2009 16:01

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

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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PixieOnaChristmasTree · 17/12/2009 18:14

Don't compare your child to other people's children. It'll only end in tears.

Don't be afraid to tell of playdate children. Your house = your rules.

And never believe 'Daddy said I could have it"!

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:16

don't let your housekeeper wash their cuddly toys without asking

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:17

don't take your children round the world thinking it will be good for them

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Undercovasanta · 17/12/2009 18:17

Don't buy white clothes - for you or DCs.

If you've had a bad day of tantrums and power struggles, make sure you spend a good amount of time looking at them when they are sleeping - it erases all the trauma!

Remember you are only human - and there is no such thing as a perfect mum/parent.

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:17

don't sacrifice everything for your children

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:18

don't try to turn your children into mini-me's

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:19

don't change your children's schools five times

don't make them do primary school homework if it makes them cry

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:20

don't lose and break their stuff

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:21

get some perspective

TheShowMustGoOn · 17/12/2009 18:21

BlueberryPancake Bonsoirs comment riledme too.

My Ds is ASD with language delay and my MIL constantly says 'oh just talk to him - talk to him all the time'

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:21

listen when they say they are unhappy

don't make them do after school activities they haven't chosen

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:22

don't let your mother in law get to you

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:23

don't compare your children to each other

never smack them

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:24

go to bed early and get organised

TheShowMustGoOn · 17/12/2009 18:24

Never try to encourage independence and individuality by taking your 3 year old daughter shopping for new clothes - it will end in tears or a wardrobe full of hideous glittery items.

Along similar lines - it is fine for your 3 year old daughter to opt to wear a green and pink tutu wellies and her brothers old camo hoodie for preschool - but never give in to demands to wear the dinosaur costume.

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:25

never let them think your love depends on their achievements

Swedington · 17/12/2009 18:26

Don't shout.

pagwatch · 17/12/2009 18:26

don't let them be rude to each other or any members of the household.
Home needs to be a place of calm and love and support

Always let them explain how they feel when they need to.

If you threaten a punishment then DO IT. Don't ever wimp out. If they know you mean it then they will stop checking.

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:26

don't cry in front of them

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:26

don't shout or lose your temper

don't be inconsistent

don't give up

hollyroger · 17/12/2009 18:27

don't think ''this too will pass'', like it's a good thing...now my eldest is reaching the end of childhood, I wish I could do it all again.

peacocks · 17/12/2009 18:27

hardest job in the bloody world

miserable day

going to bed

swanriver · 17/12/2009 18:27

Always have a bedtime.

pagwatch · 17/12/2009 18:28

A punishment is somethingthey is designed to make sure they don't make the same bad choice again. It is not a tool for revenge.

hollyroger · 17/12/2009 18:32

There is always a funny side....