As we know, people without kids are always the perfect parents, so we asked the student body what their advice would be for new parents (like Mrs. Renslow) and for expecting parents (like Mr. Hodges and Mr. Lawson). What we got back ranged from sincere answers, to answers we hope didn’t come from personal experience. So, without further ado, here is what students (and teachers!) had to say:

~*~“Give them some freedom! Let [them] play around outside, like in the street, near a cliff, or near wild animals. It’s ok to take breaks. If you don’t feel like feeding your child, it’s ok to say “Not today!” or if you don’t want to change their diaper, it’s ok to say “Not today!”. Let them eat adventurously. It’s good to establish a diverse taste in food from a young age, so if you see your child eating something like a battery, a rock, a tide pod, or any other non-digestibles, let them try it! If they don’t like it then they’ll know next time. :)”

~*~“I think the best piece of advice is to teach your kids to respect and have good boundaries, as well as teaching good values and morals.”

~*~“Toddlers are basically tiny drunk people—they trip over nothing, make terrible life choices, and suddenly hate the food they couldn’t get enough of yesterday. Just go with it.”

~*~“Treat your kids (if you plan to have more than one) equally. One of the biggest complaints among kids who have siblings is parents showing favoritism so try to treat them as equally as possible.”

~*~“Just be prepared to wake up in the middle of the night to either baby screaming or toddlers wanting to lay in bed with you; and a lot of attitude.”

~*~“Have fun with your kids, even if you’re having a rough day, because soon, they’ll be all grown up. Enjoy the snuggles, first words, and even the mischievousness of it too. Like when they’re toddlers and just learning how to walk. :)”

~*~“Name your child something funny and they will be talked about in the news someday.”

~*~“You can NEVER pack enough diapers. Projectile poop happens.”

~*~“Make your kid feel heard and wanted. Especially during their teen years. You might think they’re rebellious throughout that period of their life. Just think how you would feel at their age if no one made you feel heard.”

~*~“Formula is NOT the way to go, it’s Dr. Pepper.”

~*~“Invest in a pair of earplugs.”

We hope that these words of wisdom will help you along your new journey. Whether there be bumps in the road, or smooth sailing, always remember that your kids have a Heavenly Father there to help them grow.