Parenting advice from experienced mothers

“It takes a village to raise a child”. I didn’t understand the importance of that statement until I became a mom! Sure, I had read all the books I could get my hands on, asked “the experts” for advice, even listened graciously as my own mother in law doled out her list of the “do’s and don’ts” of parenting. But once I had a child of my own, I knew I needed the support of other moms who had walked the path before me. The “book knowledge” helped a little, but most often as a mother I’ve found the answers I needed from other, more experienced moms!

If you’re surrounded by a flock of practiced mothers, consider yourself lucky, many are not so fortunate. If you’re in the latter group, don’t worry! Meeting other moms is simple, and I’ll tell you how. Ready? Moms love to talk, especially to other moms. Moms especially love to talk about their little blessings. To break the ice, ask a mom about her cute little boy. You’ll be surprised how quickly you find yourself with a whole new group of beaming friends.

Now, there are several ways experienced mothers can be the greatest support to you as you travel the road of motherhood yourself:

Solutions to common problems

A mother who has already experienced what it’s like to handle a two year-old’s temper tantrum in public can offer first hand advice of how she handled the situation. She may have come up with creative parenting methods that are not listed in any parenting books. She has likely tried several different options before she found something that finally worked. So take advantage of her experience and you may prevent some of the pit falls she fell into when faced with the same challenge.

Insider tips for being a first-time mother

Where do I go to get the best deal on a baby stroller? What after school tutoring program is the most helpful? Is there a good pediatric dentist in my town? Is there a “kid friendly” restaurant where I could enjoy a good meal with my whole family? An experienced mother will likely know many of these answers. She can give you resources that you need yourself as a parent.

Social networking

It’s a great sense of security as a mom to know that if you have a question, or problem, there are many other moms in your neighborhood you can ask for help. In most communities there are many mothers’ groups, playgroups, parenting seminars, and other social networks just for moms! But many of them do not advertise, so if you ask other moms you know, you can find out about the many social networks that will help you get connected into the world of parenting.

The majority of advice you are going to get from your new network of mothers will most likely be excellent, but not all the information you get from other mothers may suit you, or your child. Remember, advice is only as good as the person giving it. Be discerning when implementing a new routine, product, or mother technique into you and your baby’s lives. Also remember that the moms that seem to have it 100% together probably don’t, so give yourself a break next time your feeling inadequate in the company of “super moms.”

As moms, it’s so easy at times to isolate ourselves. We get caught up in the daily tasks of caring for our children and often operate in “survival” mode as we face the many challenges that both parenting and life throw at us. It can be difficult to reach out for help, but it is more than worth the effort to seek out other mothers. After all, no mommy is an island.

Contributions from Marnie Schallert and Pam Thompson