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

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It will pass.

Just that. It will pass. Everything moves on, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and no troubles last for ever.

I have applied this to everything in my life and it carries me through. Its a mantra for optimism. Especially as I hear my grandmother's voice in my ear reminding me of it.

I think I probably read it on here but I was at the end of my tether with a non-sleeping, constantly feeding baby and someone said they all get there in the end but it was up to me if I wanted to love them there or shout and scream at them there...I really like the sentiment

To be my Best Self
I'm the best person I can be
I'm the best Mum I can be
And if my little one is her Best Self, she will always be awesome

Never apologise for a crying baby, it's what they do!

“It’s just a phase” - so true and has helps me keep calm when I want to scream.

You only have them on loan.

I take it to mean they're only 'yours' for w very short term and they are no one's but their own. They are not mini versions of us and won't be children for long, so you have to keep the future in mind and be ready to let them go when they need to.

Makes milestones like starting school etc a bit easier to accept

No phase lasts for ever, so don't get too hung up on it.

DarthArts - what life changing strategy did you take away from the sucker/grudger/cheat story, as I am buggered if I know what it should be?

Listen to anything your children want to tell you. If you don't listen to the little things they want to tell you when they are little, they won't tell you the big things when they are bigger, because to them, it's always been a big thing.

'this too shall pass'

Also, it's ok to admit you need a break; even 2 mins locked in the bathroom (you, not child!) can be enough to regain a sense of perspective.

Follow your instinct, I've always found this very useful advise. Also to do what makes you happy, we spend a lot of our lives trying to please others and forget about ourselves too often.

Consistency. Never threaten a child with any form of punishment that you're not actually prepared to carry out. Tries to forget about the time DC had to sit in the middle of the Cop-Op on the Naughty Spot"...

Regular exercise - young kids are like dogs and need to burn off energy. Someone once told me that even if I didn’t feel like it, it was easier to go out with toddlers than stay in. Even in the rain! My active ds, 3, has proved that that’s so true!

To keep bothering the gps/doctors if you feel something isn't right with your child and to not just take the first opinion.

Don’t listen to what anyone else says and trust your instincts. Don’t google or you’ll freak yourself out. If your baby is happy and healthy then keep doing what you’re doing as it’s obviously working. Don’t worry about routine etc, you can try everything and they’ll still do what they want. Babies haven’t read the baby books.

Best piece of advice I was given is that there’s no perfect parent, good enough is what to aim for.

'The days are long, but the years are short'

Just keep doing it until it feels normal (to me, with a newborn, from my aunt!).

It's just a phase

Parental advice - advice from your parents
Parenting advice - advice about being a parent

How to change a nappy on a toddler standing up!!

Had a very wriggly boy who wouldn't lie down and this was a revelation!! He's 15 now but I still think it's was the best bit of advice ever!!

When I had the most difficult toddler and all my friends had perfect obedient ones, my mum, a teacher for 50 years, said to me:

“Difficult children make interesting adults”.

Best advice I was given, and I give, is trust your gut.

spend time with your children as much as you can because those years are soon gone and they grow up quickly. listen to all the small things, that may not seem anything but then they will tell you the big things too. i try to listen even when i am busy as it often is with five kids and i try to make individual time for them. The advice was from my nan who has now passed away but it is good advice and has helped over the years i think.

Best advice I ever received was to ignore bad behaviour and give plenty of attention to good/desirable behaviour.

Whether it's throwing a tantrum, hitting, refusing food, or just being a general pain, disengaging and walking away usually has the desired effect. Hey, where's my audience?!

I see so many people fussing over their badly-behaving children and ignoring the good ones. So easy to find yourself doing this.