Don’t listen to advice. In all seriousness, all of the above. we also found that our nipper would fall asleep on the less stressed parent... i.e. the one who’s freaking out the least about not being asleep themselves!
Live by the rule of 'no blood, no plaster'. As a result I have a tree climbing, surfing, skateboarding, Scouting daughter - who still like girls stuff too. She also helps me service my bus!
Keep a diary. Not slavishly, but every now and again write down the sweet, funny things they do or how you feel about them. Each stage kind of overtakes the previous one, which can slip away. So great to look back on: for the kiddy too when he/she is grown up. Never shout. Just patiently explain WHY they can’t do X or Y. Read them a bedtime story every night, following the letters with your finger from about three or four. It’s a lovely time for you, it’ll magically teach them to read, and you’ll give them a love of books, which is prob the best start there is. Don’t ever buy them a PlayStation/X box. They ruin kids on so many levels and you’ll hate yourself a few months later. Go on nature walks with them, naming whatever you can. And get them joining in cooking from scratch with you, if you do. Keep em a bit dirty so they build a good immune system from the get go - avoid a sealed-up draught-free house where all they breathe is Shake n Vac. There y’go - how to build a healthy, smart, capable person who’s connected to what’s real and loves it - and you for gifting it to them.
^ all of the above just add also, if you haven't already done so, get a big car, not an SUV i mean but an estate. yes you can manage with any car if you have to (we all prob grew up with parents who had a mini, renault 5 whatever small car etc) but you'd be amazed how much cr@p you have to cart around when you have a kid. yes you *can* get it all in a little car if you're really good at packing but tbh after a run of sleepless nights, screaming baby, frazzled wife you won't want to play tetris in the rain to get everything in the boot - bigger the better, just chuck stuff in. I love being a parent, yes it has challenges but i'd not change a thing - thinking back to when they were really little i remember sometimes thinking "if we can just get through this stage it'll get easier" when now i would give anything for 5 minutes of being able to hold my kids again at 1 yr old.
Mine are both Xbox gamers, considering the mess their parents made of it, I am astonished that they are actually turning out to be reasonably decent human beings. Get a dog and take them camping, it's great way to bond.
Get your sleep in now! Take photos and videos, lots of them. Especially with older relatives who won’t be there forever
Never, say you will do the night feeds and dont send them to school, my three turned out well for being home edded.
Oh... And when they can stand on their own. Measure their height on the door frame, on their Every birthday, and never paint over it.Also, when they are old enough to write their name, get it tattooed on your arm.
Remember to stay as a parent. If you try to be their friend they will treat you like one - let you down and take liberties when they feel like it.
That winds me up when I hear people say.. My kids my best friend. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Well this has been a great thread, some absolute crackers. Anyways found out today its a girl, but don't worry she will be thought how to look after an air-cooled motor. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
and she will be marvellous at it . I’ve forgotten who it is but someone on here has a teenage daughter that’s been helping him on his van for years.
