7 Pieces of Parenting Advice Not to Give Other Parents ...

By Alison

7 Pieces of Parenting Advice Not to Give Other Parents ...

Unwanted parenting advice is extremely common. Every parent has been told many times how they should raise their kids, and what they are doing "wrong." When you're tempted to tell parents what they should and shouldn't do, think twice before speaking. Parenting is stressful enough, and people really won't appreciate your advice, however well-meaning it may be. Here are some pieces of parenting advice that you shouldn't give to other parents …

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1

Discipline

One piece of parenting advice you should never give is how other people should discipline their children. Telling them that they should smack their child/ send them to bed/ yell at them is guaranteed to meet with a frosty response. Parents need to decide among themselves how they should best discipline their child; you're not the child's parent, so you have no say in the matter.

2

At Her Age, She Should Be …

Every parent will have encountered the self-appointed expert who loudly proclaims their opinions on when a child should reach certain milestones. They'll tell you that when their little angel was the same age he had already submitted his PhD. Don't tell anyone that a child should be doing certain things by a certain age. Children are all different, and will learn to walk or develop a vocabulary in their own good time.

3

When to Stop Breast Feeding

Even expert opinions differ on how long you should breast-feed a child for. Even if you think that a woman is breast-feeding a child that is far too old, keep quiet. It's not for you to decide when she should stop. A mother and her child will stop when the time is right for them.

4

Birth Plans

Have you ever met the type of woman who pontificates about how having a Caesarian isn't really giving birth? Never give other women advice on their birth plan if they haven't asked for it. Giving birth is such a personal experience that other people's opinions shouldn't come into it. The only other opinion that counts is that of her obstetrician and midwife.

5

Size of Family

Most parents have heard this at some point. They've been told that having an only child is selfish, or that they can't afford a larger family. It seems that whatever people do is wrong! Nobody wants to hear opinions on how big their family should be, so keep your comments to yourself.

Famous Quotes

To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

Confucius
6

Diet

Vegetarian parents get a lot of criticism from others. But it's entirely up to the parents if they want to bring their child up on a vegetarian diet. This is perfectly healthy providing the parents ensure that the child gets all the nutrition they need from vegetarian sources. Also, don't tell anyone how that they should force their child to eat new foods or that giving them treats is harmful.

7

Pacifiers

Many parents who give their children pacifiers will have seen and heard disapproving tuts from strangers, and comments like "it'll deform their teeth." Sometimes a pacifier is the only thing that will calm a fractious child, and you shouldn't judge parents if they decide to use them.

If other parents want advice on child-rearing, they will ask for it. Don't think that you know best, as it will definitely not go down well. You should particularly avoid giving complete strangers unwanted advice on how to bring up their kids. What's the most annoying piece of parenting advice someone's ever given you?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I hate when ppl say things like don't give in to your child or they will manipulate u. It's not always the case. Some kids need a little extra comforting than others so if a baba or a passy helps little one to feel more relax then do it. Fk what ppl say. You are the best advocate of what your child needs not a stranger or even friends or family. My daughter was attached to her baba till almost 3 and her teeth are perfect and have zero cavities. Ppl nowadays want to rush kids too much into growing up too fast. Treasure the little things cuz before u know it they'll be off to college and you'll miss the days of them being sweet in your arms passy and all.

The worst is getting unwanted parenting advice from somebody that never even had kids! I don't care if you have nieces and nephews, if you babysit, are a teacher or nanny... If you never had kids, you have no parenting advice to give!

Folks, if it isn't your child, shut your mouth.

I have to say the worst is getting pushed into a parenting style from your mother in law from 30 years ago no cool. things are not the same she might have hit her kids with a belt but I wont and it couses problems in the family when you tell your mother in law NO ahhh

I know someone with an autistic child, who had a meltdown at the store because it was too loud and bright, and his mother gave him a hug and one of his toys to calm him down. Then someone who had never met them before came over and berated her because he assumed that the mother was "giving in to his temper tantrum" A lot of times situations are not what they seem to be, unless you know the person and understand the situation, do not say anything.

Just going to say I think that it is illegal to not feed babies protein. I don't really know the conditions it's under like age and how much. Just for vegetarians, please check with a doctor because it would be terrible if you got in trouble for it.

Oops sorry guys that was mistak

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