Isn’t it amusing how everyone seems to have an opinion on parenting? From which stroller is the best to what extracurricular activities your child should be involved in, it’s endless. After a few years of navigating parenthood, you quickly learn to disregard these well-intentioned suggestions. Here are 13 pieces of advice that most parents could do without.
- You must have a swing or bouncy seat. Sure, one of those might be helpful, but good luck figuring out which one you really need at 4 a.m. while dealing with a fussy newborn and a laundry pile of pee-soaked swaddles.
- Let them cry it out. That’s what we did, and while it was fine back then, now I’m kept awake by my son’s enthusiastic late-night conversations. Last night, he shouted “WHOA, WHOA, WHOA,” making me wonder if there’s a version of “whoa it out” for sleep interruptions.
- Limit screen time. Sure, that sounds great, but when the TV is off, my toddler loves to throw blocks at my feet while I’m trying to shower. I’d rather deal with a little screen time than have my feet become a target for flying toys.
- Teach them to play independently. When I’m busy cooking and ask them to play on their own, I usually end up with them creatively taping themselves to the kitchen gate, making for quite the distraction.
- Alternate waking up on weekends. This advice is solid, but it’s hard to ignore that our kids wake up at different times depending on whose turn it is. My husband might spring out of bed cheerfully, but I’m already wide awake and annoyed by then.
- Establish a bedtime routine. We did try that, but it only led to an extended bedtime process. Now, it’s just a quick kiss and a pat on the head. I’m the one who could use a proper routine: cocktail, ice cream, sitcom, and maybe a nap in my yoga pants.
- Be more flexible with their schedules. Oh, I’d love to! But you can come over and deal with a cranky child who is refusing to eat a slightly off-center hamburger. It’s not as simple as just pushing the hamburger back in!
- Your son should toughen up. No, thank you. If you wouldn’t say it to a daughter, don’t say it to a son.
- Your child needs an expensive preschool. What they really need is some dirt and a yogurt container! Sure, some interaction with other kids and a decent caregiver is important, but it shouldn’t cost as much as a college education.
- Your baby needs a hat. Try carrying the baby and the hat at the same time.
- Stay home with your kids. I’d love to, but money is a reality. If I didn’t work, I can already hear the criticisms: “You should feed those kids!”
- Go back to work. Have you tried finding affordable, quality childcare? You’ll quickly understand the struggle of interviewing babysitters who look like they’ve just walked out of a horror film.
- You should… do anything. In the end, we’re all doing our best with what we have. While we all aim to cook healthy meals and read to our kids, sometimes it just doesn’t happen. So, give yourself a break. And when it’s your turn to sleep in? Don’t forget those earplugs!
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In summary, parenting is filled with unsolicited advice, much of which is impractical or irrelevant. Embrace what works for you, and remember to cut yourself some slack. After all, every parent is just trying to do their best.