Share your parenting words of wisdom with Fairy Non Bio - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

Parenting - it's one hell of a journey and most of us have the sick-stained clothes, under-eye bags and laughter lines to show for it. But if you were going to distil down your experiences to one essential must-know fact, what would it be? Fairy Non Bio would like you to share your words of parenting wisdom for anyone embarking on this journey.

So, what are the essential things that you feel every parent needs to know? Maybe it's to enjoy the all-too fleeting moments of parenting joy, or know that you can never take too many photos. Perhaps you've had a moment of clarity when it comes to dealing with tantrums (toddler or teenage) or there are things you'd do very differently if you could have the time all over again.

Share your essential words of wisdom below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Pick your battles - unless it's a wedding, it just does not matter what they're wearing, and as long as their overall diet is healthy, what they eat when.

If you've got a downstairs toilet, have a set of toothbrushes in it!

Trust your gut instinct. There is no wrong or right way. Just what works for you and your baby. So go with your instinct and give it a try

hello I have found that I is good to have a votain with baby

As a mother, I often feel like I'm being judged every single day, and I can't be the only one. No matter what your choices as a parent, someone always has something to say about it.
"You're still breastfeeding? When are you going to stop?"
"Oh, he's on formula? Did you not want to breastfeed?"
"You're giving her pureed food? How will she learn to bite and chew?"
"Baby led weaning? Sounds like an easy way to make them choke to me!"
"Why aren't you getting him anything for Christmas? That's mean!"
"Oh you shouldn't have bothered getting presents for Christmas. At this age they don't know what's going on anyway!"
"She's not in a routine at all? How do you cope?"
"I think you're being a bit too rigid having a routine. He's only a baby."
"You leave her to cry? That's cruel!"
"If you pick him up every time he cries, he'll be so clingy."
"Oh no, disposable nappies are absolutely awful! Think of the environment!"
"You use reusable nappies? That's disgusting and dirty!"
"She's always in a sleepsuit. Shouldn't you be putting her in dresses and things?"
"Oh, I hate when babies wear jeans and things. They should be in comfy sleepsuits!"
"Don't leave her to play on her own. They need to be played with constantly."
"You need to just leave him with a few toys and then he learns how to entertain himself."
"TV is terrible for babies! If you let her watch it, she'll never want to do anything else."
"You should give him a bit of time with cartoons on. Just let him chill out for a bit!"
"Dummies are awful. She'll end up not being able to talk properly!"
"You don't give him a dummy? He needs some comfort and will probably settle better."
"You only want one baby? That's mean. They need siblings to play with."
"5 children? Don't you think you should stop now?"
Some people think it's appropriate to pass judgement on others and share their opinions. I've even had strangers give me their thoughts on parenting whilst out doing my shopping. I'm not saying don't give advice if it's requested, but just watch your words. Let's support each other to be the best parents we can be.
My advice would be try not to let those people get to you. As long as we have happy children, that's all that matters.

We are lucky enough to have a boy and girl who are 4 and 1.

Parenting is the hardest job in the world.

Most people don't feel like they're good at parenting, they just muddle through and do their best.

Before we became parents I don't think we had a clue what we were
letting ourselves in for. Our lives have changed beyond recognition.

They occupy most of your time and thoughts. When your kids are not with you you will miss and worry about them.

Kids have an amazing ability to make your heart melt one minute when they're acting like an angel......then make your blood boil the next minute when they turn into a monster.

Parenting never gets easier, it is just different as they get older. Everything is just a phase so once you stop worrying about one thing there will be something else to stress about.

When your kids are away or in bed it feels strange to experience quietness.

don't buy expensive gifts and holidays for under 4s, they'll never remember them, you can have just as much fun spending time with your children at local parks and beaches

Don't stress over little things and a reward chart really does help to get your kids to behave.

Pick and choose your battles sometimes just let little things go it's not always worth it they are kids for a very short time afterall, try and appreciate the time you have when they are babies it all goes by so quick, these memories and times are very precious

Go out of the house with your children everyday to a park/museum/cafe/softplay etc for a few hours as it relieves boredom and stops your house getting trashed

Remember every child is different and what works for one may not work for another so take others advice with a pinch of salt and do what feels right for you

Trust your gut, always! Whether it's that you know they need a doctor or they are hiding something, when you feel uncomfortable about something, say something, you can't protect your child from everything but you can trust your instinct!

Take muslins and wipes everywhere!

This too shall pass

Don't worry about the latest parenting trends and what other's state is the proven method of parenting. Go with you instincts and follow your own intuition as to what feels right for you as a parent. Lots of love, patience and laughter will get you through the tough times.

Cherish every moment- can never have too many photos, do silly stuff, have crazy days and tons of smiles!!!!

don't compare your kids development they are all different

enjoy every moment of watching your kids grow, make memories together , no regerets!

Always cover DS winkie with the nappy, that aim has hit me many a time in the face the instant the nappies changed.
In the first few months baby- grows and all in ones are the bomb baby will live in these and you can never have enough.
Ask friends and family to buy gifts of clothes in bigger sizes or you will have masses of stuff in newborn because it is small and cute and no bigger sizes.

Everything is short lived.....them sleeping through the night, them not sleeping through the night, the teething, the tantrums and the fussy eating. Hang in there!

Trust your instincts!! Mums really do know their babies better than anyone so if you feel like something isn't right, stick with it. Books & healthcare professionals are fantastic for advice & will be a massive help but above everything, trust your instinct.

Be prepared for the most stressful, embarrassing, exhausting, challenging and most rewarding job of your life!

Relax and take the rough with the smooth - it is amazing!

Everyday is a blessing !

Remember children are individuals and might need to betreated differently from each other.