What’s the best parental advice you’ve ever received? £300 voucher to be won. NOW CLOSED

[PoppyMumsnet]

We’re working with the team at Legal & General to encourage Mumsnetters to get involved with their #ForeverAParent campaign.

The things you do as a parent will last your children’s lifetime, so Legal & General are asking the nation what it means to be forever a parent. Whether your children are six or 60 years old, starting school or starting a family, you’ll always be the person they turn to for advice when it comes to life’s milestones, that’s because you’ll forever be their parent.

Here’s what Legal & General have to say “Your influence, support and advice will stay with your children always - because being a parent doesn’t stop. We’ve been asking parents across the UK what being Forever a Parent really means to them, as each individual is different, and we’d love to hear your views.”

Share what ‘Forever A Parent’ means to you to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Amazon gift card.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard T&Cs apply

Protect others from your mood, it's not fair that just because you've had a bad day others shouldn't suffer as they won't understand that that just causes more stress.

Pick your battles, and if a child is happy, leave them to it! (If it ain't broke, don't fix it!)

The truth is that nobody knows what they are doing at first, and that each each child is different so even the most experienced parent or professional could struggle with your baby. It about listening to your baby and learning together

That and expect to make mistakes, they are going to happen because nobody is perfect and it's a lot easier to get over them if they don't come as a surprise

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Pick your battles.

Enjoy every moment.

Find the humour in everything - even tantrums can be hilarious to watch.

The best piece of advice I was given was to "just breath". When things get too much. I just stand still and take a few slow deep breaths. I feel much calmer afterwards and can then deal with whatever carnage is going on.

My grandma used to say

“Being a parent is another chance at being a child”

I had a very hard childhood and now I’m bringing up my little girl with all the happiness I should have had, Doing all the things I should have done with her.

My mother advised me not to marry a stingy man or I would be miserable.
I met a man who appeared to be husband material, but he was extremely tight. I didn’t get into a relationship with him because of this reason

2 things always come to mind

My baby massage teacher saying that there are 1000’s of books written by experts, but you are the only expert on your baby

Maya Angelou talking about your face lighting up when a child walks into a room. I vividly remember edging into the room as a child and gauging the reaction. I try to always give my ds a warm greeting

littlejayx that’s really beautiful. Filing that one away

You will not die of sleep deprivation. Was reassuring at times! Xx

Trust your gut, it's usually right.

Also, the wise saying 'this too shall pass'. Although those sleepless nights seemed like a hellish lifetime to suffer through, it really went by so fast in reality...

And 'FOREVER A PARENT' is brought home when my dad says 'you can only be as happy as your least happy child'. Proof that he still worries about me and my sister even though we're both grown ups ourselves now! When we're going through a bad patch and things are a bit tough, it affects our parents too because they'll never stop caring (or worrying). x

Everything is a phase

Don't compare yourself to others, everyone's children are different and everyone parents differently.

Forever a parent is always being needed. I am forty something and still need my mum and dad, although your needs change throughout your life, once you have a child, you are a parent who is a parent for ever, always worrying, but never stop loving and needing.

Pick your battles.

Listen carefully and research from verified sources before taking advice from people at face value - friends and family can mean well, but in the end it's up to you to discover the best thing for you and your child.

Two things people can do better than you: spend your money and raise your children. Do you research, make your choice and trust your own instincts.

This too will pass and it's just a phase! Not very original but oh so very true and wise.

I love the Maya Angelou quote higher up too. I’m totally trying to remember that

The best advice that I ever received was to not be hard on myself. We all make mistakes as parents but as long as your children are happy and healthy then there is no point in dwelling on the small stuff which there will be lots of growing up.

I always try to be honest and give my children a positive sense of self. I Don't gush or offer insincere praise but give credit where credits due.

My parents best advice was that you reap what you sow and this has turned out to be true on many occasions

I got quite cross with my two boys this morning when trying to curl my hair quickly before the day started properly. They were both right under my feet and I asked, exasperated: "why do you two follow me all the time like my shadow?!" DS1 told me: "because we love you"

My dad always told me to save for a rainy day, because you never know what it around the corner. I completely agree with this and like to live within my means and know I have a nest egg if needed.

The best advice I ever got was: Don't take advice from people who've not been in your situation.

It really helped me silence the background noise of, 'Do this/don't do that,' and only seek advice from people who also had children with similar issues/interests/ailments/strengths/passions and problems as my own. Invariably, those people are the most understanding, the wisest and kindest, because they know.

The best piece of advice on parenting is to follow your instinct. I have never regretted a decision when I've done this. There is an overload of parenting information out there which is confusing, guilt-inducing and insists on how you should parent.