Parenting advice is tricky, but since you asked….I am more than happy to share with you what I’ve learned thus far.
To those about to become a parent:
Sleep now. Because you will never know sleep like you know it at this very moment. Children have this weird way about them. They actually love life, and they look forward to waking up every morning. And so they like to do their best to beat the sun. And then they feel that they should drag you along with them. This starts immediately after birth and doesn’t seem to have an end in sight, so sleep now.
To those with a newborn:
It will get better. A full nights sleep does exist…when they move out.
Breathe. Take in the moment. Inhale that sweet scent. Savor the loveliness of a non moving, non opinionated infant. Cherish it. Because time moves quickly, and they will soon turn into toddlers….and you could have missed the innocence.
To those with a toddler:
Xanax. Lexapro. Prozac. Seriously, just take whatever they offer you. You. Will. Need. It. Then add in God and lots and lots of prayer. You. Will. Need. That too!
To those with a Preschooler:
Grab a notebook. A recorder. A journal. And then write down the hilariousness that comes out of their mouths. You will never want to forget the beginning of their own well contemplated thoughts. Hug them. Teach them. Make the hard moments a chance to learn. They are about to leave you, and what you give them now, they will bring into the world…
Other bits & pieces:
This awful stage you’re in that you feel like will never end? I promise you, it will. Just when you think it can get no worse and you are about to lose it, a new annoying thing will take it’s place. God seems to be clever like that.
When you’re eating something yummy and you don’t want to share, tell your child it’s your healthy food and they wouldn’t like it. It works, and now I never have to share my special treats.
Rather than telling your child ‘no’ or ‘no-no,’ say ‘no thank you.’ You will adore it when it’s repeated back to you one day.
Don’t put up with tattling. Send them to a place where they sit facing each other and have them work it out themselves. My rule is, they have to stay put until the problem is solved and a hug has ended the war. This teaches them to 1) think twice about tattling, and 2) learn problem solving skills with friends. Most importantly, it allows you to get back to your tv show, book, or other extracurricular activity you do while ignoring tattling children.
Advice that matters most:
We as parents are all learning. We are all (most) doing the best we can. We are all giving and loving and parenting with what we believe is right for us and our home. We are all in this together. So we should all have grace, extend grace…recieve grace. What is right for one, may not be right for another.
If you are loving the guts out of your children, then what other advice really matters?
You’re already doing what matters most.
(If you can’t tell, my kids have been exceptionally sweet as of late, hence the optimistic outlook on parenting in this weeks posts. But stay tuned…things have been known to change quickly. My xanax is never far.)
Want more advice, click here.
© 2009 “Le Musings of Moi”
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I haven’t alot to say other than.. I completely agree with all you have said. You could put this in a book because it’s all true!
Ha! What an awesome post!!! Seriously, love it.
FYI, I’m in the Xanax stage of parenting. 🙂
I did a combo of prompts, and this was one of them. I have thought about it all day, feeling like I came off pompous or self righteous, and I want to go back and change it. But you–your advice and post were both funny, wise, and so true! Props to you!
oh my, the thought of a child’s responsibility horrifies me as it is, now even more so! i hope it goes away tho, as i’m repeatedly told that having a child is the most wonderful journey one can experience.
Wonderful advice. I agree with you on every stage. We are in the preschool stage now and I do keep record of funny things he says or does. My blog and Facebook have been great ways to do this. My family loves to read about it too. We say “please” and “thank you”, “no/yes ma’am” or “yes/no sir”. Manners were a part of my upbringing and I work real hard to make lil’ D be polite to everyone. He has his good and bad days just like me. I prefer the good, but the bad ones are a great way to learn lessons and grow. I hope you enjoy my prompts on each of my blogs. Take care.
-Kiki
I love the guts out of my kiddos. I just want to squeeze it out of them sometimes too!!
Love your advice.
Glad I hopped over from Mama Kat’s!
Hallie 🙂
This is wonderful advice Summer, I love how you carried us through all the stages!
I think, I really misses the newborn stage more and more as Oliva gets older! Something about all this running around and getting into my shoes makes me NUTS!
Good advise! And I would add to hug your kids every chance you get and be really patient because sooner than you can believe they will be grown up and GONE.
totally great advice.
It was like I wrote it myself.
I laughed when you said the hilarity of what comes out of the mouths of preschoolers, my 2 year old is learning more and more words and actions daily and sometimes I can’t help but laugh when I know I shouldn’t and if it’s like this now…I can’t imagine what it will be like in a year or two!
Super advice from an exert!!
That was too funny! I don’t have children yet, so it definitely makes me look forward to those days….maybe.
GREAT advice Summer. When my oldest is playing with his cousins, they are not allowed to tattle unless blood is involved. Works great! 😉
I found you through Mama Kat’s. Let me tell you – this is probably my favorite parenting post ever. It’s true. I always have to tell myself that even when it seems neverending that “this too shall pass.” And it always has.
You only forgot: enjoy it all now, because they will someday be grown and you’ll miss it all.
sigh. am SO in the Prozac stage, but I will settle for an aspirin and a triple espresso latte….for now…..
some sage advice that i will need to refer to in the coming year 🙂
What a great post, Summer! It’s perfect! I feel like printing it off to give to my friend at her baby shower in a couple of weeks!
I’m disappointed…because you’ve left nothing for me to add. Way to get it all!
ps when are you coming into town??
Are you posting fashion friday? I prepared a post! If you don’t do it this week, I’ll save it for next week!
What a great post! Loved this as I have been through each one. Repeatedly. 🙂
Nice post. I like the chronological sweep through the years. Mine are high schoolersnow and the hillariousness is still flowing. In fact, I just remembered something my son did that I should post about. C’ya!
Your advice was right on the money!!! Love it! Perfection … you should submit this to a parenting magazine. Seriously. It has just the right mix of humor and truth.