Everyone seems to have parenting advice. But the only person who truly knows what you are going through as a parent at any given moment… is you. Wouldn’t it be great if we actually got some advice from ourselves? If I could turn back time could turn back time and sit down with my younger self, what would I want to know?
I would certainly tell myself to always carry socks around. You just never know when you are going to end up in one of those indoor play places and who wants to spend five bucks on a new pair of socks that will get worn once. I could have probably saved myself thousands of dollars by now.
We asked our Life of Dad users what they would say to their younger self and here is what they came up with:
Chris Russell: You are going to be so proud of the growth your children are going to go through; you are also going to say some of the most random things you NEVER thought you would ever say (or even think about saying including “stop trying to pull your tongue out of your mouth, it won’t come out” and “please do not ‘gently’ caress your sister’s head by smacking it”
Rob Tobias: Work to live, don’t live to work. No one ever says they wish they’d worked more. Family time is much more precious. And have more patience!
Petri Rajaniemi: Try to have ’em sooner in life rather than later 2. Don’t worry so much. 3. Don’t be so scared of having more of them. The grand total of stress & work & worry stays about the same with 3 as it is with one. Either way, you’ll think you just can’t take it any more, but you can. 4. It’s not their fault 5. Be an adult = always apologize when needed.
Brian Melcherts: Start making a baby NOW! Sure, your career is important, sure you should have a house first, but don’t think that 9 months after you decide to want to become parents, you will have a kid. Took us five years. If we had known that…
You will love like you’ve never loved before
Brian Fatherly: You will have highs and you will have lows. You will cry and you will laugh. You will teach and you will be taught. But most importantly you will have a reason.
My reason is called James and I am called Dad.
Justin Case: You know how TV and other people always say “I would die for my kids” and you never really thought about it or really believed them? Well its true. And you would. Get ready to know a love you never thought possible.
Apparently sleep is a big issue
Nic Yader: Enjoy your sleep while you can
Aaron Bridges: Sleep now!
Shane Braden Decker: Sleep. Go to sleep right now. Do it.
Here is some practical advice
Paul Threadgold: There’s going to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot. Don’t bother watching. It’s crap.
And just in case you aren’t a self made millionaire…
Joseph J Fostano: Here are Saturday’s winning Powerball numbers…
But most importantly
Dan Maitland: Take it all in and enjoy every minute. Best thing you can possibly do in life.