"How Should I Deal With Unsolicited Parenting Advice?"

New parents know what this is like: you’re doing something seemingly innocuous—like strapping your child into his carseat or feeding her baby food—and you’re suddenly bombarded with do’s and dont’s and how-to’s. How should you react to unsolicited advice? That’s what one theAsianparent Community user had to ask.

1. Stay cool

First of all, don’t get upset. Though unsolicited advice is often annoying, most people who give it mean well.

“My trick is to smile it off,” writes Yuna L. “No point getting upset over such things—if it’s useful information, I’d remember the advice. But if’s just annoying or critical, I’ll just smile at first and shake it off afterwards.”

2. Listen

Instead of reacting negatively, patiently listen. Who knows? You might even learn something. “Get the good and forget the bad,” Eds A. responds. “Consider also what the motivation is in giving the advice. More often than not, it is really to help you deal with the problem at hand.”

“Sometimes it may be good advice even though it was ‘volunteered’ by the other well-intended individual,” writes Jacq N. “So it’s good to keep an open mind when it comes to such things but also remember not to let it bother you if it is not applicable (especially if the person is not fully aware of the situation).”

3. Say thanks

Obviously, you’re not going to agree with everything. Sometimes, you’ll have to stand your ground, but do this politely. You’ll gain nothing by losing your temper. Explain your side calmly, thank them for their input, and if you need to, excuse yourself. Remember that at the end of the day, you are the parent, and unless you’re actually harming your child, how you choose to raise your child should be respected.

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below.