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MNHQ

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

246 replies

JustineBMumsnet · 27/01/2017 09:56

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

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Share your parenting words of wisdom with Fairy Non Bio - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
voyager50 · 28/01/2017 09:27

If your gut feeling tells you something is wrong with your child you are most likely right.

Your life will never be the same again - plans will always change.

The smallest things can bring the greatest amounts of joy.

purplepandas · 28/01/2017 11:18

I agree about gut instinct, you are the expert in relation to your child. Also, that words such as 'this too shall pass" are a useful mantra at many difficult time points.

FlukeSkyeRunner · 28/01/2017 14:16

For the newborn stage be as organised as possible - have meal plans, food in the freezer, a system for laundry etc, and make sure you take heaps of photos and try to enjoy at least one moment a day.

amyhalliday1 · 28/01/2017 15:09

Add on half an hour to the amount of time you need before leaving the house !

Ganne1 · 28/01/2017 15:10

Don't treat them as children, for instance, "always letting them win" at games. We talked to them and treated them as intelligent beings, and they seem to have done well out of life. But both were self-motivated too: our boy to learn to read quickly, our daughter to walk and act as adult. Both got firsts at University. And they both always enjoyed life and socialising too.

samcornfield · 28/01/2017 15:26

Chill out and enjoy them. I spent far to much time worrying when my first and second ones were small. By numbers three and four I had chilled out considerably and I enjoy them so much more.

pennwood · 28/01/2017 15:29

Always go with your own gut instinct with your offspring. Do not push them too much with milestones, simply enjoy them as they grow up all too quickly.

KAKADU2001 · 28/01/2017 15:29

If you have more than one child don't compare their behaviours as all of them are individuals.

jt75 · 28/01/2017 15:30

Go with your instincts,

compy99 · 28/01/2017 15:31

Instinct - Trust your own instinct, you get helpful information and advice from family, friends, TV, internet and you can become very confused, conflicted and overwhelmed. Take all advice on board, but, you are the expert of your baby/toddler/child/teenager and you know more than you realise, trust your own instinct.

ThemisA · 28/01/2017 15:32

If you are new to parenting try to have contact with other parents with children of all ages to get a feel of what it is like. Each baby is different and they teach you what you need to know. Obviously there are useful tips and information about diet, health and safety that you need to know but most if it is instinctive for many. Being organised and trying to keep on top of things helps but also knowing when to let go, you can't do everything you did before ie ironing bedding is not important.

For older kids my best advice is keeping a suitcase of goodies which you can collect over the year in the sales and can bring out on a rainy day or when anyone feels low/sad. I also collect ideas of things to do from magazines and on-line as well as swopping ideas with friends.

If you can find a swop buddy who you can take turns looking after the children, swap toys, equipment etc.

jlwells1986 · 28/01/2017 15:35

Over the years i have learnt that there is no right or wrong to parenting. As longs as you try your best and do the best you can for your children then thats all that matters. I have often blamed myself for my daughter not having much confidence or my son being very obsessive over things. However i have always brought them up the best i can, and thats all that matters

thesockgap · 28/01/2017 15:39

Nothing ever lasts forever, be it sleepless nights, teething, refusal to eat, potty training - we all come through the other side of all these ordeals, no matter how much it feels like we're going to endure them for the rest of our lives.

LeeR1985 · 28/01/2017 15:45

It gets easier. The first time is a shock to the system as you adjust to balancing work life, home life and looking after a newborn, however you soon adjust to it and before you know it they'll be older and the sleepless nights will soon disappear :)

Sleavercole123 · 28/01/2017 15:46

Always have some calpol in the cupboard, plasters and a Mr Bump

barbsbarbs · 28/01/2017 15:47

show unconditional love to your kids, no matter what they do, say, there no one who will love your kids like you do. be that anchor that never moves even when the world is crashing down.

AngelwingsPetlamb · 28/01/2017 15:58

Always go out prepared if you can whether with baby or toddler. It will be so much less stressful if you have food, drink, spare outfit, then it doesn't really matter where you are, what you are all doing and whether their clothes need changing because you will have it all covered.

fazkin · 28/01/2017 16:00

If i could redo I would definitely tell myself to chill out more. We worry too much about planning every aspect that we take the fun out of parenthood. Enjoy the early year. Just instill good character and morals in your kids and watch the rest take shape on its own

littlemonkeyz · 28/01/2017 16:09

Buy a 2 metre PVC coated piece of fabric, it will be the best thing you ever bought. Great for feeding, playing, painting, illness and a million and one other things.

TJCB68 · 28/01/2017 16:10

Pick your battles...

towser44 · 28/01/2017 16:12

Be prepared to get involved in doing things you shouldn't really be doing! Last night I found myself roller skating at a roller disco for nearly 3 hours. First time I've roller skated in 20 years! I am aching today!

beeelaine · 28/01/2017 16:17

go with the flow - our son was the last to walk and talk in pram group, he kept pooing his pants for years and years, and now he is like really clever and has more sense than me! you never know what god gave you until they grow up, so enjoy the experience - i would say buy lots of chalks, cheap kid paints, do paper mache, make mud pies, go on bike rides and picnics, dig big holes in the beach, make dens from sheets and clothes maidens and let them have memories of fun times, you can clean up and have them looking clean and tidy later in life! just have one nice outfit and the rest playing clothes that can get right mucky! Never compare yourself to others, everyone has their own way, just always try to make it fun for them and for you!

Leiajulie · 28/01/2017 16:22

never be afraid to trust your own judgements. Parenting is at the end of the day trial and error for each and every one of us in different ways

warjonson · 28/01/2017 16:33

Learn to take it easy with your kids don't get into arguments, you won't win, try to be calm, rational and friendly.

gd2011 · 28/01/2017 16:41

You're a parent not their best friend.