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

[Shockers]

The best piece of advice was some I gave myself after an epiphany one day. I was exhausted and wondering whether I was the best mum for my two newly adopted children. I realised that everything I did was in response to something that had already happened, so I told myself to ‘Be proactive, not reactive.’

That shift in my approach honestly changed everything. My children are now in their late teens and I’m working with children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. I still use the proactive approach; reflecting each evening on how I can be prepared for the kids in my care. It works; they can relax and feel safe, because they know my reactions will always be consistent.

[Tanfastic]

Pick your battles!

Ds had the most horrendous tantrums when he was little, I found it quite hard to cope sometimes but he did eventually grow out of it. I definitely had to choose my battles wisely. He's a lovely lad now and no trouble 😍

[GloGirl]

You grow as a parent as your baby grows. You don't need to know how you will handle school work or punish them for staying out late as a teenager. They're born little and so are your skills and you grow and learn together.

To any soon to be Mums reading this - have a wonderful journey.

[Ratbagratty]

No baby has read "the book"

[Ruth361]

olive oil for nappy rash

[missymayhemsmum]

Best life advice from my Dad-- just get on with it. Applicable to most situations really.

[Dscarl07]

Best advice was that babies do cry, and you can never cuddle them too much

[MadameRaleuse]

Bonding doesn't have to be immediate. It can take time. Sometime seconds, hours, days or months.

It will happen but be kind to yourself in the meantime.

[dilydaly]

Forever a parent to me is forever worrying that they'll be ok, that I'm doing things right and doing what's best for them.
I always try to drum into them that they should be true to themselves and always do what is right, the same way it was drummed into me by my father and the same way it was drummed into him by his mother.

[Doodlekitty]

I need two. One from a close friend who has children slightly older than mine who told me "You do whatever it takes to get you through the day without crying" on the day I was gutted to be giving my son a dummy (which he then wouldn't bloody take)

And one from my amazing mam, who reminded me often that "People at baby groups lie to make themselves look good. Pay them no attention"

[WutheringFrights]

Listen politely to all the advice you are given...ignore it and do what you think is right for your baby!

[JonSnowIsMyKing]

When I was pregnant with my first one of my friends mum warned me that, as a new mum everyone was going to want to give me advice and tell me how to deal with all the issues of parenthood. She told me to listen to it all, smile and nod at the advice I disagree with and take on board what I wanted to. She also explained that sometimes knowing that others are having/have gone through similar issues makes them more bearable.

[BanyanTree]

When DC1 was born my DB called me up and literally shouted this down the phone "DO NOT mollycoddle that child". It was the best piece of advice I was given.

[cocochips]

Always trust your instincts

[dannydog1]

Giving them your time and full attention
Remember “ It is just a phase”

[lisareid2009]

Don't go by any manuals!

[flamingtoaster]

Trust your instinct. I was glad I did because for the first six weeks my DS cried if put down during the day. I carried him around for six weeks and after that he turned into the most contended, happy baby I could have wished for and would nap in his pram.

[llewejk]

not to compare your child with others. They all develop at their own pace :-)

[Quietvoiceplease]

Trust your instinct.
Everything is a phase.
This too will pass.
The nights are long, but the months are short.
Enjoy them.

[paranoidpammywhammy2]

One day you will be old and they will be taking care of you. How they do this is reliant on how you raised them.

Do you
Listen to them and try to understand their point of view?
Make time for them?
Treat them as individuals and not possessions?
Forgive their mistakes?
Let them make their own decisions and not assume you know best?

[Dixiestampsagain]

They are all different; there’s no ‘one’ way to parent; it all takes time working it out and lots of it is instinctive.

[KJ1986UK]

Always treat others the way you would like to be treated yourself.

So many people forget that these days.

[Dan35]

Enjoy and make the most of every moment, as it goes much more quickly than you expect!

[OutComeTheWolves]

A friend put this on her Facebook page today and I think it's the best advice I've ever heard. It's my new parenting mantra.

[ParadiseCity]

Sorry not to join in with the soppy stuff but.

Make a will.