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

[SandysMam]

Mine was that they can never have enough love and cuddles. Whatever else you do wrong, get that bit right!!

[Longdistance]

Make your children portable. By that my sil meant, that having children shouldn’t stop you from travelling and doing what you normally do.
It was sound advice as my girls have covered 5 continents and are 6 and 8 years old. They love coming away with us, and are now experts at airports and airlines, no matter how long the flight. They also like coming on the train and explore new places with us.
Best education ever.

[Spices001]

Not to worry about things you can’t change

[hdh747]

Don't try to be perfect. Definitely my biggest failing as a new mum.

[TheVeryHungryDieter]

Don't talk over your child - make space for them to speak.

I heard this from a mum who brought her son to a SALT as he wasn't talking properly, and the therapist pointed out that she'd been talking over him the whole time, asking questions and filling in the answers rather than waiting for him to come out with it in his own time.

Since then I've been careful to wait and let my children respond to me when I ask something instead of filling in the answer. I find that way they are more likely to say something I hadn't expected or tell me something I didn't notice.

My parents do this talking-over with my kids and it drives me nuts. If you ask a question, let them answer it! The endless prompting is only interrupting their processing of the conversation and turning it into a monologue.

[WarmHugs]

Comparison is the thief of joy. I don't care what other families have, or what things their DC can do. I care about what we have, and how special my DC are.

[CoffeeOrSleep]

Always give them an honest/truthful answer to a question if you can, not a child answer.

[TracyKNixon]

Know that what you say and do will set an example for this child's patterns of responses for the future 'Monkey see, monkey do'!.

[Narnianescape]

Choose your battles wisely.

[glenka]

Always make time to spend with them and listen to what they say if they are worried about something.

[Annimousey]

There will always be someone who disagrees with your parenting methods so ignore everyone else and be the parent that you want to be - regardless of anyone else.

[lizd31]

As a child I never felt that I could talk to my parents about anything personal as I found it embarrassing so I always tell my great niece to talk to Mummy & Daddy about anything & as she gets older hopefully I will be able to teach her to learn from my mistakes of not confiding in my parents

[AR2012]

Trust my gut

[007hel]

Trust your own advice

[devito92]

Not really received any advice i found out what works best for me all on my own, i have given advice tho

[Peggy1mummy]

best advice I have had as a parent is

Always believe your child!

[alabaster002]

There's no perfect model or magic answer. So trust your instincts and relax a bit.....

[topsy73]

Trust your own instincts

[amyhalliday1]

try not to take it all personally ( teen angst!!) x

[phillie1]

Trust your instincts - you are the person who knows your child best

[BlueTablecloth]

Ignore everyone else's advice !

[janeyf1]

Don't get too caught up in the little things, it all blows over and it will all work out fine

[Ganne1]

Only take advice from those you feel have the same attitude towards their children as you

[03kelwil]

Trust your instincts.
#mumpower

[sheilads105]

Give your kids attention! That's what they want/need and will get it by behaving badly if they don't get enough by being good.