Why I (Almost) Never Give or Take Advice on Motherhood

A few years ago I was congratulating a friend via Instagram DMs on her pregnancy announcement and when she replied she asked me, “Have any mama advice for me?” 

I had only been a mom for about a year so I wasn’t exactly new on the block but I think this was the first time someone had asked me for advice on having children. I sat looking at my phone for a few minutes before I typed out my reply.

“Just enjoy it! It goes so fast but it is so much fun.” 

This is the same thing that I recently told my neighbor who welcomed her little one last month. And it’s become my standard answer if anyone asks me for advice on having children.

The thing is, it’s not really advice. I’m sharing the truth. I blinked and Arielle is 2 ¾ now. She is growing up so fast. But every moment (with the exception of a rare tantrum) is so much fun. Because of this the only thing you really can do is enjoy it. 

Not only is every child different, every parent is different as well. What works for one parent, one child, may not work for another. So to me, it seems like there is no universal principle when it comes to having children. That’s why I never give advice on motherhood. 

It’s also why I (almost) never take advice on motherhood. 

I remember when we were telling family and friends we were pregnant. I was getting so much advice from people. A few felt very entitled to tell me just how to raise my child or, even worse, that I was “doing it wrong” after we had her. While I pride myself on being polite, I have my way of telling people to mind their own business without them even realizing it. 

The only advice I’ve ever taken on motherhood is from my own mom. And that was, “Enjoy it because it goes so quick. And it’s a lot of fun.”

And that’s why I share that same sentiment with any new parents looking for advice. 

So if you are a parent-to-be, you can take my advice or not. But I hope you do enjoy it because it is one of the best things that I’ve ever done with my life.