A Few Acquired and Learned Parenting Tips

1.       Be a good friend second and a good parent first

2.       Tickle.

3.       Let them stay up just a little bit longer.

4.       If you don’t know, say so.

5.       Buy a great stain remover.

6.       Make goofy faces

7.       Sing silly songs

8.       Hang their drawings on the fridge

9.       Make real cocoa

10.   ALL mothers are working mothers.

11.   Ultimatums don’t work.

12.   Bribes work.

13.   Let them lick the spoon, they will always remember.

14.   Have an answer ready for “where do babies come from”

15.   Remember: It’s just a phase.

16.   “Wait till your father gets home” is a cop-out.

17.   Teach them to write thank you notes.

18.   Cheese food is not cheese.

19.   Kiss it and make it better.

20.   If you promised, DO IT.

21.   Don’t use a pediatrician who isn’t a parent

22.   You can blame just about anything on teething.

23.   An unmade bed is easier to get into

24.   A little fast food never killed anyone

25.   Someday your son will love another woman L

26.   Socks and underwear are not gifts.

27.   “Bambi” is too scary for four-year olds.

28.   Tuck them in.

29.   Washable markers aren’t.

30.   Never use the check-out with the candy display

31.   Forbidden junk food will be eaten at neighbor’s home.

32.   Tell know-it-alls: Mind your own business.

33.   At some point, you WILL use the TV as a babysitter

34.   Insist on bike helmets.

35.   Traditions are important.

36.   Always look before sitting

37.   Before disciplining – decompress.

38.   Check before believing Dad said it was okay.

39.   Disposable diapers are worth the guilt

40.   You’ll never stop wondering if you’re doing a good job.