15 Parents Share Best Advice They Wish They Knew Before Kids

From Redditor u/TheManWhoHasThePlan:

Take time to bond with your kids one-on-one. I work a lot, then I do yard work and other chores around the house to keep things running when I get home. I read on Reddit about what daughters felt made their dad a good parent. A user replied her dad took her for a walk daily just to talk. A couple of days later, my 8-year-old daughter talked to me. She wanted to know about me: favorite color, food, and so on. I realized I never spent time just bonding with her, even though I went to school events and sports and read to her. So, I started taking her for a walk after work every day. Our relationship is better now. I let her ask me any questions; I ask her questions. I know when she is older, I will value those walks. Maybe if she has issues later, she will tell me. I know more about her now too. Stop and take time one-on-one with your kids; you will not regret it.

From Redditor u/mikemella:

I left a library with my baby son. A busker I recognized in Toronto stopped me. He smiled and gave me the best parenting advice I ever received:

"Be patient with him, because you will always regret the times you were not."

From Redditor u/EibhlinOD:

Show them kindness, empathy, and generosity. They will act the same way. Include them in sports, music, or hobbies. Do not speak badly of anyone in front of them while they grow up. Avoid arguing with your spouse in front of them. Little kids find this scary. They will remember some of these things. Stay with them in school. Ensure they study hard. Get help for them if they need it. This pays off later. Teach them it is fine not to be the best if they tried their best. Enjoy the highs and lows. Soon, they become adults. Congrats!

From Redditor u/sw4ahl:

Babies cry for no reason sometimes. Nothing is wrong. It is not your fault. You cannot fix it. You must just endure it.

From Redditor u/throways7789:

I know it is hard, but try not to compare your child with others. Every child is different; they all develop at their own speed.

From Redditor u/Reply_To_The_Fly:

Get down to their level when you talk to them. If they do something wrong and you must punish them, explain what they did wrong and what is expected, calmly.

From Redditor u/iwannaridearaptor:

Kids have bad days. They wake up wrong, or Mom is late for the bus. A friend might not want to play, hurting their feelings. Kids get overwhelmed and struggle to show how they feel. They hold that badness inside and act out. My son squeezes out these feelings. We give a big bear hug until he calms down and feels anchored. Then, he explains his feelings, and we figure out fixes. Before school, we squeeze out feelings. Some mornings, he dances them out with music on the way. Sometimes school overwhelms him; he needs a few minutes to restart. He enjoyed the book.Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.That book gave us the idea to restart his day. I am not a parenting expert, and I lose patience often. However, we have had fewer tantrums since we started these actions. He squeezes out bad feelings from the dog if he does not want me to help. He also learns empathy; he knows everyone has a bad day sometimes.

Redditor u/queenofBs:

Take a shower. Get dressed. Your baby will be okay while you take care of yourself. Personal care matters greatly, even for simple things.

Redditor u/yessri1953:

You prepare a person to be as independent as possible. Understand that helping others builds happiness. Give age-appropriate responsibility. Let them make mistakes. Be generous yourself to show good values.

Redditor u/NovelTeach:

Apologize when you do something wrong or hurt someone's feelings.

After having my first son, I saw that people always try to shame me or make me feel less than a mom. In their eyes, I was always wrong. I needed to accept that, choose my wrong actions, and make sure those choices worked for my family.

Redditor u/totallyawry132:

Children learn from example. Model the behavior you want. Be honest, respectful, empathetic, and listen to your kids. Apologize when you are wrong. Choose healthy relationships that build you up. You set the example for how to act in the world; be a good one.

Redditor u/neurotica_9000:

Learn CPR.

Your baby does not need that many toys.

Teach your children the correct names for their anatomy.

Redditor u/Chevey0:

Secondhand clothes are best. Stop thinking about new clothes for your baby. Many items only get a couple of uses. Build a support network. Find friends with kids. Older kids often donate things. We give away more clothes than we receive. This saves house space.

From Redditor u/Ettem_Smleh:

Stick to a daily meal schedule (95% of the time). Knowing when my son eats feels freeing. We don't need snacks or meals if we are out of the house during mealtimes. However, I must bring a snack or meal if we leave during mealtime. This lets me plan and avoids a hungry toddler surprise.

From Redditor u/mrdog23:

Give your kids a good moral compass. Use these rules:

Do not be dumb. Think about your actions. Be responsible.

Do not hurt anyone. Do not hurt anyone physically or otherwise.

Do not get caught.

Do not tell me unless you break one of these rules.

Call me for a ride if you need one.