I hear crickets chirping in my brain when I think of blogging today.
So, instead of breaking something (in my brain) I went to the archives of my blog to find something that would entertain the masses.
{um, ya, who am I kidding?}
Anyway, lately I’ve been in a rut with being a stay at home mama and so I’ve been eating up advice on how to keep things fun….(anyone? bueller?)…
So, I thought this post on parenting advice was a timely one to bring back.
May we all learn.
~~~~~~~
Parenting advice is tricky, but since you didn’t ask….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:
& 
}Seriously, just take whatever they offer you. You. Will. Need. It. Then add in Jesus 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.
© 2011 “Le Musings of Moi”
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You just came up with this out of your head? I was looking for the resource!! You are hilarious! Witty and so dead on with parenting. Tatum and I had it out today, like never before…yeah, 3.5 SUCKS! Good job on over 1000 followers!
Love this! 🙂
Perfect advice! Just perfect. Adore them at every stage because before you know it they are 16 and you are taking them on college visits. One last piece to add to your list – don’t start them in kindergarten early – hold them back. Otherwise, you will be visiting colleges when they are ONLY 16….
Thanks guys!
And yes Suzanne! I did! I wrote that ALL BY MYSELF!!! =) It was years ago…I think maybe before I had Chloe, when I had more brain cells. =)
Summer-
what good advice- I’m saving this post–
Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Kelly
Love the advice. Miss my sleep. Been 11 years without now, lol. Amen to needing prayer with toddlers. Doing that again after a 7 yr. break. But enjoying this more than I did the older 3 cause I learned the importance of chilling and LAUGHING at her craziness!