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WORDS OF WISDOM: WHAT’S THE BEST PARENTING ADVICE YOU EVER GOT?

Parents are inundated with   advice coming from every  direction--from friends, grandparents, experts, and the media.  But, once in a while, something will make an impression and may have an impact on the way you parent your children.  We asked North Shore parents and grandparents to tell us about the very best advice that they ever received.  Here are the results:

  • "Your baby is as inexperienced at being a baby as you are at being a mom."

- Mother of two, ages 7 and 9

  • "The best advice was from my mother who told me, when my boys were born, to act very calm around them and talk in a soft gentle voice, which would make for relaxed and calmer babies. Also, if they were fretful, rather than rush to them, give them a minute or two to calm themselves."

- Mother of two boys, now 8 and 10

  • "Try to breastfeed but realize that it doesn't work for everyone."

- Mother of three, ages 5, 5 and 7

  • " I followed the advice of Arnold Gesell, who repeatedly emphasized  the individuality of children and how each has his/her own pattern and rate of growth. He stressed not comparing one child to another.  He also taught me to appreciate each stage as it came along and not resent it, even when it brought challenging behavior."

- Mother of two adults, grandmother of three

  • "Just remember--everything is a phase!"

  - Mother of two, ages 1 and 4

  • "I have remembered the words of Thomas Jefferson: 'In matters of style, swim with the current.  In matters of principle, stand like a rock'.

- Father of two, ages 17 and 23

  • "When angry, leave the room (or take a deep breath, if in the car) before  responding to you child. It will keep things in perspective and make your response more meaningful to your child. "

- Mother of two, ages 6 and 10

  • "Be sure that you have the facts and that they are accurate facts when   decision-making."

- Mother of  an 8 year old son

  • "Trust your instincts. You, as parents, know your children best.  If you think there is a problem (health, developmental, etc.), don't give up until you are satisfied."

- Mother of two boys, ages 8 and 10

  • "I can hear my dad saying, 'Let them make mistakes.  They will learn just as much from their failures as their     successes.' "

- Mother of two, ages 15 and 17

  • "Speak to your child the way you would speak to an adult friend.  If you don't yell and snarl at friends, don't do it to your child."

- Mother of four adults, grandmother of five 

  • "If it won't matter in five years, then don't fight over it with your child.  Let them make choices.  I have used this piece of advice when it comes to hairstyles and horrible (not scandalous) clothing , among other things."

- Mother of four, ages 8, 15, 19, and 22

  • "Two phrases that I have used repeatedly are: 'This too shall pass' and 'Pick your battles.' "

- Mother of four, ages 12, 16, 20, and 21

  • "My fervent hope, for when my children recollect their childhood    and me as their mother, is that they will say how happy we were being  together.  Also, I hope that my children's last thought before falling asleep every night is that they feel very much loved."

- Mother of two, ages 7 and 9