From seasoned moms to the new moms:

[Radarma]

If you have been a mother now, for say, over 5 years...tell us what you learned and why younger mothers should hear it.

The spirit of this post is to share, offer tidbits and in doing so, help younger, newer moms...and have some fun, of course.  

I would have kept better track of their stuff, their important stuff, up til now.

I have loads of pics, artwork/school work BUT I could not find any ONE particular thing if asked to. Needle in a haystack comes to mind.
How about you?

 

[mandalouwhotn]

For your problem OP, I have 3 hole binders for each year,.  I punch holes in the cute stuff and put it into the binder.

I would say my advice would be its the little things that count.  We do fun things with our kids almost every day whether its a movie night with popcorn, a walk, a Wii family night.  Use your imagination and make everyday special for them.

[25beengoodtome]

 take time to look directly into your child's face & eyes, give 'em a hug, and say "I love you" USE YOUR WORDS!  let your kids hear you say the L word!!

[Radarma]

Quoting mandalouwhotn:

For your problem OP, I have 3 hole binders for each year,.  I punch holes in the cute stuff and put it into the binder.

I would say my advice would be its the little things that count.  We do fun things with our kids almost every day whether its a movie night with popcorn, a walk, a Wii family night.  Use your imagination and make everyday special for them.

**smacks forehead**

What a simply great idea! I even have a few large tubs full of binders from a previous job! D'Oh

Thanks!

[jenzachsam]

My ds won't turn 5 until Dec.  However, my middle ds just told me last night before he went to bed I Love You.  I've been waiting for him to be able to say it and he did finally last night.  My #2 ds is only 21 mths old.  Nothing like getting the I love you's.  That means more to me then anything.  I say stick to a schedule, especially with multi kids.   Buy an organizer for ped appts and bills.  It's so much better to stay organized.  Don't be upset if your child/baby says Dadda forever before saying momma.  Mine say dadda, but if dadda doesn't respond, then I'll get my mommas.  At least I got the I love you before dh did lol!!!

[staceyandkarl]

I have a10, 7, and 5.. and the best advice I can ever give is the same as a pp, GET ORGANIZED with more then 1 esp now that I am having #4. My office will be the first room to get a makeover, cork boards, dry erase, calendar and I just got my new organizer. I have been cleaning and organizing evry cabinet and closet.

2nd tip- TAKE TONS OF PICS, they grow so fast and make sure you get photo albums for each year, with 3 I fill one in no time. Plus I scrap now so its so much easier to find the pics.

3rd tip- start talking to them early about everything, keep an open relationship so when they get older its already there

4th tip- teach them chores as soon as the understand how to put the block in the basket, if the do it at a very young age it will be easier to keep your house clean and teach them to care about there things

5th and final- TEACH THEM RESPECT BY SHOWING RESPECt to them and everyone you encounter.

[lvnmylif]

Discipline is a process.  There are no quick fixes but remember positive reinforcement is worth more than negative.

If you find yourself constantly getting onto your children then you need to switch things up a bit.  Sometimes the only thing needed to get your kids on track is a day out at the park just spending time as a family.

Be the person you want your kids to be.  They watch you to know how to behave and what you do is always acceptable for them.  This includes your relationship with your spouse.

[JenniferZiemba]

Okay mine are 3 yrs and 6 months so I don't qualify for the seasoned mom (LOL) but I am going to give some advice anyway.  Don't lie to your kids not even white lies (besides Santa Clause and the Easter bunny etc).  More specifically be direct with your children.  For example don't tell your children that your out of candy (when your not) tell them why they can't have any.  These little lies that make life easier for the time being will catch up with you.  The last message you want to send to your kids is that lying is okay. 

[mandalouwhotn]

Lol....I can't take credit for it, I read it somewhere whne my oldest was little.

Quoting Radarma:

 

Quoting mandalouwhotn:

For your problem OP, I have 3 hole binders for each year,.  I punch holes in the cute stuff and put it into the binder.

I would say my advice would be its the little things that count.  We do fun things with our kids almost every day whether its a movie night with popcorn, a walk, a Wii family night.  Use your imagination and make everyday special for them.

**smacks forehead**

What a simply great idea! I even have a few large tubs full of binders from a previous job! D'Oh

Thanks!

[Babyd0ll49]

let see...i think i am the seasoned mommy...my boys are 30,29,24,21...

my advise is be consistant....keep a routine that works for you and the kids...show them the right and wrong of things...and always tell them you love them...and never let them walk all over you...if they do as they are younger...they will be worse when they get older...

while they grow up they will do things you won't like...all kids do...even when they are grown ups...but they always need to know you love them...you may not like them at times but you will always love them....

[gludwig2000]

Oh boy am I a seasoned mom (but lightly) since my oldest is 24 and the youngest is 15. I think that one of the most important things some of you younger moms to remember is to never say never. As your children grow, you grow, and your ideas and all kinds of things change. There were things that I said I would never do as a young mom, but think nothing of them now. Not to mention all of the things that we were told to do with our children that is simply unacceptable now.

Another thing to remember is that you can only do your best. You will not live up to everyone else's idea of what a "good" mother is, and will drive yourself crazy trying to do so. Do your best, and with luck, everything will turn out ok.