Some of the Worst Advice You Could Ever Get About Parenting

The Worst Advice You Could Ever Get About Parenting

Raising children is the hardest job there is. And you’re getting advice everywhere. From your parents, your neighbor, the lady at the supermarket. Everyone seems to have advice about how you should raise your children. This is some of the worst advice you could ever get as a parent:

Keep your baby on a strict schedule

Many ‘experts,’ family members and possibly your barber will tell you that you should create a strict sleeping and feeding schedule for your little one. But they forget: babies can’t tell time. They can, however, tell when they are hungry or tired. And they will tell you. Often loudly. No matter the time of day (or night). Some babies seem to develop a schedule on their own, but just when you think you’ve got it, they change it again. The best you can do is just watch your baby. He or she will tell you what she needs and when.

Tell your child he or she shouldn’t be sad

Sadness is a part of life. So is joy, disappointment, anger and a whole bunch of other emotions. Telling your child not to be sad, is telling it not to live. Even if the cause of the sadness is something you don’t think your child should be sad about. The wrong color Sippy cup for example, or the fact that the sandwich was cut into two pieces instead of four. Tell your child it is okay to be sad or just acknowledge the sadness “I see that you are sad, because….” It doesn’t mean you should make a new sandwich or grab another Sippy cup. But you shouldn’t dismiss their feelings either.

Never admit you’re wrong in front of your child

Some people expect you to be this perfect role model. The ‘perfect parent.’ Well guess what: screwing up is part of life. But so is fixing your screw-ups, and apologizing when necessary. If your child doesn’t see how you handle your screw-ups, how can they be expected to know what to do when they screw up? So don’t sweep your mistakes under the rug, but tell your child that you made a mistake, and how you are going to fix it. A lot of children will even offer to help you fix your mistake, just like you do with them when they make one.

Rub alcohol on your babies gums when he/she is teething

Alcohol does make those gums numb, but even small amounts of alcohol can be poisonous to infants. Instead, use teething toys that have been in the fridge, or give your kid a piece of cold cucumber to nibble on (only when your child is accustomed to solid food, and only when you or another adult is there to watch your child of course). There are also amber necklaces that have been said to reduce the pain of teething. And of course, you can also go to the pharmacy. They’ll have something you can rub on your child’s teeth that is safe. And this way there will be more liquor for you 😉

Did you enjoy reading these bad parenting advice? Don’t ever let anyone tell you how to raise your children and never follow advice blindly.

I’m curious: what is the worst parenting advice you’ve ever gotten?

 

Author Bio
Erica Johnson is the Main Editor for Inner Parents and a very proud mother of two whos’s passionate about the latest parenting tips & baby products.