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You are here: Home / Be Inspired / My Top 4 Bits of Parenting Advice

Be Inspired, Cape Town, Children, Family, FAR Photography, Featured Posts, Parenting, Parenting Advice, Poems

My Top 4 Bits of Parenting Advice

I have never really been someone who readily dishes out unsolicited parenting advice – I think I have been burnt once too often by the reaction you get from some people, so now I mostly just smile and nod knowingly! So rather than call this advice, we will file this list under the title of “I wish I knew Then, What I Know Now!”

 My Top 4 Bits of Parenting Advice

  • First up – cut yourself some slack; you most definitely are not expected to be the perfect parent, especially the first time around! Just remember all children will eventually “eat”, “sit”, “walk”, “Sleep” – so don’t sweat the small stuff and do not compare your children with their peers or yourself with others parents (it’s dangerous). We all get there in our own time.
  • Let your children discover the “world” for themselves, try not to be a helicopter parent, calculating your child’s every move, constantly doing everything for them – it’s exhausting and they do need to find out stuff for themselves. Sometimes they need to “burn” themselves to find out that something is indeed “hot”! Which certainly does not mean you should not protect your child but be careful to not “over-protect” them.
  • Remember to look after yourself and remember to put yourself first sometimes. Nurture those relationships that are important too, especially your marriage. You are of no use as a parent if you are constantly stressed out, take time out for yourself, find a hobby, read a book, get a pedicure (yes even Dad’s!) – you get the picture!
  • Last but certainly not least remember to enjoy your children, laugh with them, talk to them, especially as they get older. Very often we are so busy with our own lives; we forget that our children are “people” too. Make time to share family meals, get to know your children, find out what makes them tick, what they like or what they don’t! You may not always agree or get along but that’s life. Just remember that someday they won’t want you around or want to talk to you and then it may be too late!

Walk A Little Slower Daddy

“Walk a Little slower, Daddy.” said a little child so small.

I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they’re hard to see;

So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up, You’re what I want to be.

Then I will have a little child who’ll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;

So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you!!

~author unknown

Images: ©FAR Photography

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About Fiona Rossiter

Hi, I am a Travel & Lifestyle content creator and photographer from beautiful Cape Town, in South Africa. I love being creative and almost never shy away from an adventure. I am a keen home cook, avid interior decorator, passionate photographer and I love drinking good wine. Inspired Living is a Travel & Lifestyle blog featuring Travel, Food & Wine, Decor & Fashion.

Comments

  1. Hasmita says

    at

    I love this post- I am not a mom yet but I hope to be one soon, and this gives me lots to think about
    xx

    Reply
    • Super Mom says

      at

      Thanks Nikki I know that it isn’t always easy to do all these things but we can try do some of them – I will definitely have a look for that book! Hasmita it is always good to think about these things even before becoming a parent, then make your own decisions! But as I said “I wish I Knew Then – What I Know Now!” Have a great weekend! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Nikki says

    at

    Lovely post Fiona-great advice too. Not always easy to apply these “lessons” but it’s good to be reminded of them! I’m reading a book called “Parenting with Love and Logic” by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. Having just started it I can’t share much about it, but the main idea is: teaching them to think, to decide and to live with their decisions-responsibility! It’s been a great read so far! You can look it up on Amazon-they allow you to preview the pages.

    Reply

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Meet Fiona Rossiter

Hi, I am Fiona Rossiter, from Cape Town, the writer and photographer behind Inspired Living SA Blog. If you love good Food and Wine, reading amazing Travel Adventures, keeping Fit and Healthy, as well following Decor Trends – then Inspired Living SA is just the place for you! Read More…

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