12 Parenting Cliches That Get It Wrong

If you are newly pregnant, congratulations! And hold on to your seat because everyone and their mom and their dog and their aunt will give you unsolicited advice disguised as parenting cliches, probably myself included.

You know what I’m talking about if you’ve ever seen Facebook shares or pinned a motivational quote on Pinterest. I’m a sucker for motivational quotes myself, especially when I’m having a tough day. I would rather not admit that I have “liked” a few cheesy parenting e-cards on Facebook, so I’ll just keep that one to myself.

As you grow as a parent and weather the storms alone, you’ll soon come to realize what a load of BULLSHIT the parenting community is peddling. When they tell you that the days are short, and you should cherish every moment, this simply is not true.

Sure, babyhood flies by, and I am nostalgic for the very early newborn days when I’ve had a drink or two. But those days did not go by fast. They were not easy, and I don’t think it is possible to cherish them more than I already did with the help of Instagram.

Sometimes parents just like to circulate lies to make each other feel better. A circle jerk of encouragement, if you will. I know that I have been a perpetrator and have spread many of these terrible cliches myself.

The next time that you pat a fellow parent on the back, try to avoid one of these super-obvious, ultra-annoying platitudes:

1. They grow up so fast!

2. Enjoy it while it lasts.

3. They won’t always be so small.

4. Sleep when the baby sleeps.

5. It gets easier!

6. It’s just a phase.

7. You won’t even remember this in a few years.

8. If you think this is bad, just wait till they start crawling/walking/talking.

9. Once you have kids, you’ll never sleep in again.

10. Boys will be boys.

11. Just wait till they’re teenagers”¦

12. Being a mother is the most important job in the world.

(Image: leungchopan/Shutterstock)