What was the most prophetic piece of parenting advice ever given to you?

**PrairieRose** · 08-20-2002, 06:21 PM

Mine would have been by a neighbor who had 4 girls. She told me when I had my baby that to always remember that even though this little bundle of love and joy is the most wonderful thing I have ever seen, that to everyone else "it is just another kid"! I was shocked by it at the time but have done my best to share this morsel of wisdom with as many new moms as possible. I think it has helped me to keep a more unbiased perspective on my kids.......well I'm not completely unbiased..!

**AmyBoz** · 08-20-2002, 07:41 PM

I used to get so annoyed when people said, "Treasure every moment...it goes so fast." Now, I have absolutely no idea where the past year and a half has gone and how my baby has turned into a little girl! I find it hard not to say it to other people because it turned out to be so true!

**heaven** · 08-21-2002, 12:26 AM

mine would have to be that children grow up so fast that the housework can wait. I have lived by that one. I totally beleived that as long as the house was cleaned clutter was okay. and now they are all gone all day i can do it then. and the other one was make them pick up after themselves starting when they start understanding. I didn't and now they expect me to do it all for them.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 08-23-2002, 11:57 PM

I was reminded to make sure the kids have responsibilities at home. My boys help with the housework--no, they are NOT perfect, but they are much better than many kids who do NOTHING.

**heaven** · 08-24-2002, 12:16 AM

oh yah another one is children are adults under construction. give them time to learn what we know

**snowangel** · 08-24-2002, 12:42 AM

Take this pill at the same time everyday.

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself!

**LiveSimply** · 08-24-2002, 09:51 AM

My DSIL gave me a tip that came from her doctor. It's to dress your child as warm or cool as your are dressed. Say if you need to wear a coat then your child needs to wear a coat. I've been to festivals in August when some mother would have a blanket covering a baby in a stroller when it was hot, hot, hot. The baby would be cranky and the mother was probably wondering what was wrong with the baby. Although in the winter I did dress the kids a little warmer than me because it's hard for them to keep warm being so young.

**kittykatstrong** · 10-13-2008, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by PrairieRose

Mine would have been by a neighbor who had 4 girls. She told me when I had my baby that to always remember that even though this little bundle of love and joy is the most wonderful thing I have ever seen, that to everyone else "it is just another kid"! I was shocked by it at the time but have done my best to share this morsel of wisdom with as many new moms as possible. I think it has helped me to keep a more unbiased perspective on my kids.......well I'm not completely unbiased..!

I try to always remember that just because I think every little thing my dds do are cute. Everyone else might not think so or care.

**nvmommyx6** · 10-13-2008, 11:31 PM

I am goin with, "Pray for your children, not for yourself" And when my Mother told me this, at the time it was kaotic with my kids, So, of course I was praying, "please lord give me patience" And I learned I should have been praying all along, " Lord, please help my children" ANd when I started, it worked!!

The other would have to be the ole, " Spare the rod, spoil the child"!!!

**santoria** · 10-14-2008, 01:14 AM

you have to take care of yourself to be able to take care of baby.

treat them like the people you want them to be, inother words....treat them like babies forever and they'll demand that and not be selfsufficient or capable. they are only small adults just needing some time to grow.

**elphie** · 10-14-2008, 07:32 AM

I have a few that I could not live without:
-you must fill your own cup in order for others to be able to drink from it
-laugh, not a giggle, a big belly laugh every day
-when your children walk into a room your face should show delight to see them, after that anything you have to ask of them is known to come from love (maybe not now but that is how it will be remembered)
-presence over presents
-don't worry about how other people respond to how you handle discipline, you know what works for your child and what doesn't and your responsibility is to help them learn to overcome the behavior, not to impress others with your methods.

**joyofsix** · 10-14-2008, 07:52 AM

~They won't graduate in diapers
~Try not to see everything (let the little things slide)
~pick your battles

**Momto2Boyz** · 10-14-2008, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by heaven

mine would have to be that children grow up so fast that the housework can wait. I have lived by that one. I totally beleived that as long as the house was cleaned clutter was okay. and now they are all gone all day i can do it then. and the other one was make them pick up after themselves starting when they start understanding. I didn't and now they expect me to do it all for them.

Yep, I agree with this one! I was told, you can either spend your days picking up after your kids or spend your days WITH your kids! I choose to spend my days with my kids, and clean when I can squeeze it in! My house isn't a disaster, but there is ALWAYS something out of place, andI wouldn't have it any other way!

**perSue** · 10-14-2008, 09:27 AM

The ones I was gonna state, but I'll just copy here from others, said better than I could:

~Try not to see everything (let the little things slide)

~another one is children are adults under construction. give them time to learn what we know

~when your children walk into a room your face should show delight to see them, after that anything you have to ask of them is known to come from love (maybe not now but that is how it will be remembered)

~don't worry about how other people respond to how you handle discipline, you know what works for your child and what doesn't and your responsibility is to help them learn to overcome the behavior, not to impress others with your methods.

Kudos to everyone!