Hey mommas! How do we feel about advice regarding our little ones? Some can be helpful, right? When asked for. What about all the advice that we don’t ask for? At the moment, unsolicited parenting advice is currently number one on my pet peeves list.
As a mother-to-be in only a few short months, I have no idea what I am doing. Or, what I am supposed to do for that matter. I regularly enjoy advice from other moms who have experienced or are currently experiencing my situation. But how do you fend off the unwanted advice from those who have never been in your situation? Maybe we can help each other out! So far, I have picked up a few tricks so I don’t let unwanted advice stress me out.
Trick #1: In one ear and out the other
I believe that I have two choices. I could let it stress me out or, I can forget what was said the minute I turn around. Like water off a duck’s back. We all know that stress and frustration probably aren’t the best feelings to consistently have while seven months pregnant, so why do it? No one ever said that we have to follow all aspects of all advice that is given to us.
Trick #2: Change the topic of conversation to
People always jump at the chance to discuss their feelings and experiences. We can’t help it. It’s literally in our DNA. So one of the best ways to ward off advice is to simply change the topic to something that highly interests the other person. In the last 7 months, I have gotten pretty good at asking questions that steer the conversation away from opinions that were not asked for.
Trick #3: “Thank you, I will do my research when the time comes.”
The simple phrase “Thank you” can make others feel heard and that their advice matters. Showing gratitude and researching on your own time and merit is probably the healthiest way I have dealt with unwanted advice. All mommas need a little time to figure everything out. Researching topics that you feel are important and making calculated decisions without the effects of everyone else is of the most importance. The gratitude will go a long way with your audience, and the research will go a long way for you. It’s a simple win-win.
At the end of the day, just because advice is not asked for, does not mean that it won’t be given. But, there is no need for the extra stress. As a momma, you are free to take or leave advice as you wish. Much like everything else, you only know what works best for you and your family.