For those of us who chose to have children, what is the best advice you have been given? Mine came from a bass fishing buddy and he said, "Be Firm, Be Fair, and be Consistent." I found Being Consistent to be the most difficult. If it is funny at the shopping center, it ought to be funny in the church pew!
Best advice on raising your children
- Thread starter Stuball48
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JohnW63
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That's pretty much what my 2nd grade teacher wife tells people. It's like training a dog. If no doesn't always mean no, then it has no meaning. Kids learn what the story is in her class pretty quick.
I would add.." Don't yell ". I wish I could tell my 20 years younger self that. My frustration levels took me there too often.
I would add.." Don't yell ". I wish I could tell my 20 years younger self that. My frustration levels took me there too often.
bobouz
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This is my own little bit of wisdom that I’ve shared a number of times with struggling parents: Your child will continually be going through a never ending series of phases. Whatever is happening right now, it will eventually change, so don’t perseverate on it too much. Your job is to promote & enjoy the best out of each phase that you can!
+1. "Don't yell" is particularly good advice, but sometimes difficult to implement.
Let me just add this keeps happening even after they become adults!
walrus
Happens to me involving guitars!!!
jp
Senior Member
Be patient and don't ever underestimate their capacity to learn. I found that this permeated everything from disciplinary to learning moments. This is in conjunction with Stuball's trifecta have both been very successful for us.
Biblical advice:
Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
The best advice is not to take any advice from anyone.
Nuuska
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Enjoy each day with your child, because that day will never come again. Before you know it, that child will be an adult and you will rue the days you missed.
Rebosbro
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The better you prepare them for the real world, the quicker they will move out. (3 out, 2 to go)
Paul
Paul
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Model the behaviors you want them to exhibit. Do not EVER fall into the "do as I say, not as I do" trap. Speak to them in complete sentences even while they're infants. Expose them to as many different people, places, foods, beliefs, music, etc. as you can. Let them fail, let them learn from failure, let them try again. Let them suffer and enjoy the consequences of their failures and successes. Have high expectations and they will rise to meet them. Be a parent, not a friend (that can come later).
Well said.
Spend more time talking with them and listening to their views and not instructions, only!
Nuuska
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Not to mention the day you have to bury that child . . . Some people never get over it.
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My Grandmama buried 3 out of five.
Spend time with them. I've heard people say "I don't spend much time with my kids, but when I do, I make sure it's quality time." That's just a load of hucky-pucky as far as I'm concerned. You can't manufacture quality time, but it will happen spontaneously if you spend quantity time with them.