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Tell Asda what you wish you knew before becoming a parent - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

406 replies

PoppyMumsnet · 23/09/2016 10:25

Sometimes, we wish we had the benefit of hindsight– knowing what to have said, what to have done would have made the situation a whole lot easier. Asda would like you to tell them about the things you wish you’d known about before being a parent to a baby/toddler. Would being a new parent have run more smoothly had you known certain things before? What sort of things would you have liked to have known?

Here is what Asda has to say: “Here at Little Angels, we understand how daunting it can be waiting for the arrival of your long awaited little one. That’s why we’d love you to share your top tips on anything from being a parent for the first time or what’s different when you have your second.”

So what do you wish you’d known before becoming a parent? Time flies by so quickly - maybe you wish you’d known to take more videos or photos. Perhaps you wish you’d known that children are much more expensive than you originally thought, so you could have planned better. Maybe you wished you’d known about a support network that you could have spoken to from the very beginning. Or maybe you simply wish you’d known how hard it would be so you could have mentally prepared yourself?

Whatever your story is, Asda would like to hear about it. All those who post below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Asda voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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Tell Asda what you wish you knew before becoming a parent - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
user1475816976 · 07/10/2016 06:19

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user1474193901 · 07/10/2016 06:55

I wish I knew that the majority of baby stuff you buy having been convinced it's essential is a completely unnecessary.

TheFrenchLieutenantsMonkey · 07/10/2016 08:16

To stock up on easy meals.
That you don't get the baby that you've imagined. Things happen that nobody can plan for. That internet shopping/ click and collect would be such a lifesaver.
That a trip to the supermarket will become a "me time" activity .
Just how many washing powders/liquids you'll try before finding one that doesn't irritate your babies skin.

notabee · 07/10/2016 09:24

I wish I'd enjoyed each stage more that wishing them on to the next.
Treasure those early days.

vegmum83 · 07/10/2016 14:44

How quickly the time goes, don't wish it away as no matter how difficult a day you're having it'll be gone before you know it and will just be a vague memory.

mummy81 · 07/10/2016 15:06

Relax! Holding/rocking the baby to sleep won't cause long term damage. They'll learn to sleep without you. Soon enough they won't want to sleep with you and you will miss it.

caroll1234 · 08/10/2016 22:05

Love routine, so that really suits me as a parent. But never thought I will be so worried! My GP was probably fed up with me in the end! :)

cheryl100 · 09/10/2016 14:53

I wish I would have known that I can't be the perfect parent at all time. It sometimes pays to relax a little and let your little ones explore the world and not wrap them in cotton wool all the time - I am still learning to do this though!

sootyo · 09/10/2016 18:14

Wish I had known that the best years were about to begin.

Doodygirl2009 · 10/10/2016 11:02

I was at university when I fell pregnant I wanted to be a website designer

Caelaj07 · 10/10/2016 16:06

I wish I knew all the expensive swings and rockers are pointless they will be happy in a cheap bouncer and even happier in your arms and also that anti colic bottles don't work. I also wish I knew how many people would have an opinion on everything my little girl did/does but only mine and her dads opinions really matter

samosh22 · 11/10/2016 00:23

Wish I knew how hard it would be

cocochips · 11/10/2016 21:56

Don't fret the small stuff and enjoy it

rugby76 · 12/10/2016 19:21

I wish I had known that my instincts as a Mum are what I should follow, instead of doing what other people expect me to do as a parent.

hdh747 · 13/10/2016 08:34

I wish I'd know how fast time goes and how precious every moment with your child is - I wish I'd known to prioritise my time better so cuddles, laughter and listening to my child were ALWAYS top of my list.

liane1987 · 13/10/2016 08:40

There IS a Reset Button - It usually happens at night. No matter how bad the day may have gone, a smile and a gurgle from your baby will help put everything back to normal again :-)

chunkychocky · 13/10/2016 09:31

I wish I'd known that you can't do everything for everyone all the time.

zombeana · 13/10/2016 13:33

I wish I knew that it would change me beyond recognition and that would be the best thing that ever happened to me!
How much I would grow as a person, emotionally and spiritually.
I also wish I knew how crazy it would make my mother and how much worse our relationship would become. How much I would then start to reflect on the way I was raised - I wasn't prepared for that!

ksouthcott · 13/10/2016 13:47

I wish I knew to just relax and enjoy being a parent rather than stressing over every tiny little thing!

smit23 · 13/10/2016 16:42

That it's ok to have absolutely no idea what you're doing sometimes.

ptak5566 · 13/10/2016 19:09

I wish I knew how stressful parenting can be, I would have certainly learnt some stress relieving techniques!!

baconbap · 13/10/2016 20:23

not to worry about the housework

wef1984 · 13/10/2016 20:38

Wish I'd known how tiring it would be, they are constantly on the go and requiring input.

cluckyhen · 13/10/2016 20:44

I wish I had known that it was going to be so super hard just to get a diagnosis - and that even though I'm married it would still be the burden on my shoulders as I am the one constant!

mellyjt · 13/10/2016 21:59

I wish I knew just how rewarding being a parent was going to be I wouldnt have waited so long.