Ah, parenting advice—everyone seems to have a nugget of wisdom to share, whether it’s about the best stroller for your little one or which after-school activities your child should dive into. After years of navigating this wild ride called parenthood, you quickly learn to filter through the avalanche of suggestions. Here are 13 pieces of parenting advice that you might find less than useful.
- You Must Have All the Gear: From swings to bouncers, the list goes on. Sure, you might need one of these contraptions, but good luck figuring out which one at 3 a.m. when your baby is belting out a solo from a musical.
- Let Them Cry It Out: Sure, I tried this once. Fast forward a few years, and my son is now having lively conversations in his sleep. Last night he shouted, “WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!” like he was giving a mission briefing. So, can we invent “whoa it out” for sleep?
- Screen Time Limits: I hear you loud and clear! But if the TV is off, my toddler throws blocks at my toes while I’m trying to shower. It’s either screen time or an impromptu toe-pelting session. I choose wisely.
- Encourage Independent Play: When I ask my kids to play by themselves, they usually find some tape and stick themselves to various furniture pieces while moaning for help. Not exactly the independent play I envisioned!
- Take Turns on Weekends: Great advice, except my kids have a knack for waking up at 7:30 a.m. on his day and 4:41 a.m. on mine. And I have the hearing of a hawk—one tiny sniff and I’m awake. So much for a leisurely Saturday morning!
- Establish a Bedtime Routine: We tried this and ended up extending bedtime by an hour and a half. Now, it’s just a quick kiss and a pat. Mommy’s bedtime routine? A cocktail, some ice cream, a sitcom, and then crash in yesterday’s clothes.
- Be Flexible with Schedules: Sure, I can do that! Just come over and help me handle a cranky child sobbing over a slightly misaligned hamburger. Spoiler: fixing it isn’t as simple as shoving it back!
- Toughen Up Your Son: No thanks! If you wouldn’t say it to a girl, don’t say it to a boy. Compassion is key.
- Your Child Needs Expensive Preschool: Honestly, what they really need is some dirt, a yogurt container, and a few buddies. I don’t mind paying for quality care, but it shouldn’t cost as much as a small fortune!
- Your Baby Needs a Hat: How about you walk behind me and hold it on their head while I juggle everything else?
- Stay Home with Your Kids: It sounds lovely, but bills don’t pay themselves. If I didn’t work, you’d be the first to point fingers about feeding those little mouths!
- You Should Return to Work: Have you tried finding affordable and trustworthy childcare? It’s an adventure that might just make you rethink your stance.
- Just Do Anything: Honestly, everyone is doing their best with what they have. Yes, we should cook from scratch and read to our kids, but sometimes life gets in the way. So, here’s my best advice: be kind to yourself. And when it’s your turn to sleep in? Yes, please, earplugs!
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In summary, while parenting advice can sometimes feel overwhelming, it’s essential to remember that every family’s journey is unique. Focus on what works for you and your children, and most importantly, give yourself grace along the way.