Since I didn't ask...

[beetiger]

Now that I'm pregnant, people seem to have a variety of opinions on what I should do about any baby-related topic, from what I should be eating to circumcision to sleeping arrangements to how long one should breastfeed to whether I should go back to work right away.

I'm trying not to be annoyed by this. In fact, I'm really trying to embrace it, since it's mostly well-meaning.

For this reason, I open this up to you. Please give me unsolicited advice, on any topic (not just baby stuff). Anonymous comments fine. No promises on whether I take any of it.

(I'd do this as a poll, but I wanted to leave the option of long responses.)

Comments

[wordslinger.livejournal.com]

Briefly:

Read everything you can on parenting. The books that worked best for me were the "I'm okay, you're okay" series.

See things from your kid's point of view. The mall may be fun to tall adult people, but to a three year old where everything is above eye level and you're being dragged along at a gallop, it's unpleasant.

Telling the kid firmly, "I said NO" and then putting them in their crib is the best way of disciplining them from the start. It's nonviolent, it's effective.

Always keep blank paper and pencils and reading books with you. When things get boring for the kid, hand out the paper and pencils.

Always, ALWAYS praise the good. "You were wonderful at the restaurant!" "I know it was so boring at the mall, but you were so good!"

I can't stress that last point enough. Thank the kid, give them the respect you give an adult, listen to their opinions, take their suggestions, thank them when they behave well.