It used to bother me when people made blunt remarks without knowing my children or me. But after I while I developed the habit and forcing myself to just suck it down.

Now, when someone says something like, "You're such a big girl? Why does mommy have to carry you? You should be carrying her!! ha ha ha" I just repeat this mantra ....

"Smile sweetly and do as you please" Sometimes I have to repeat it to myself several times but after doing this for a few years, I've gotten better at it.

Great question!

I live with my in-laws, which has it's pluses and minuses. I do get unsolicited advice occasionally and just grin and nod...then continue to do it my way.

I'm a new parent with 2 little ones so not much experience yet. But I did have an experience where someone in a bakery physically touched my 2 year old because it bothered him that he was opening and closing a drawer.

I quickly got between them and yelled at the guy to get his hands off my child. He yelled back at me to control my son. (I didn't think my son was doing anything dangerous or harmful, just exploring). I told him to mind his own business. I then called him a psycho as he grumbled away.

As time goes on I feel I let him off the hook too easily. It amazes that some people think they have the right to actually touch a stranger's kid.

When I had my first my husbands mum always 'offered' me advice! Like how she started potty training my husband at 6 months, and to add baby rice to the last feed to make sure they go through for you!!! I politely advised that I was following the advice of my midwife and health visitor instead!! Drove me nuts though!

My dear departed gran who was 1 of 11 and had 9 herself said on the question of rasing kids, there is only one thing to keep reminind yourself, took me a bit to understand this one until I was old and wise.

She said there is no such thing as a good parent just some lucky ones.

If it is unsolicited advice, then I ignore it. Obviously if I am looking for advice from my mom or sister or friends I will take it kindly, even if I don't agree. I tend to do things a little differently than then norm around here. I wanted a natural birth (ended up with an emergency c/s though), I cloth diaper, I am in no hurry to wean, and I did Baby Led Weaning, so no purees, just went straight to table foods.

I over heard my mother talking once. My aunt asked her if my sister or I ever told her to stay out of it when she gave advice. My mom said "I learned long ago that when it comes to (mirrim) it is just best to keep my mouth shut". Haha, I have a tendency to speak my mind.

I'm naturally an argumententative person (oh really? everyone asks), so if anyone suggests something to me about parenting, I'll usually argue with why my way is better until they give up in disgust. Works every time!

Otherwise, I've been fairly lucky, anyway - no one has really just walked up to me out of nowhere and told me to do my job. Probably because I was 32 when I had my first and 37 when I had my second, so they probably figured I probably knew my way around the world (or I was the kid's Grandma, as one 17 assumed I was one day!)

No it dosent bother me when people try to tell me how to parent. I just listen to what advice I think I need too know and forget about the rest.

Nothing bugs me more than if anyone interferes in my parenting of my daughter, although I will keep constructive criticism in mind as I know I am not perfect and willing to evaluate my parenting style in case I can do it better. Which of course I can't, as I am perfect already. he he

This question made me remember when my daughter was younger and we would walk home in company of my daughters friend and her mother. This mother would act as a parrot when I would ask my daughter to do or not do something, repeating what I had said, followed by a 'Listen to your mum', and this would drive me mental as my daughter would normally listen to me anyway and this mother butting in undermined my authority. I ended up just asking the friends mother to please stop parroting me, and explained why I found it so annoying. The mother accepted what I said and the problem was solved.

Yes, very much so. But I am confident enough to ignore uninvited advice. That said, I do listen and digest good advice or experiences shared by others who have been in my shoes.

If someone is giving me unsolicited advise it does bother me but I usual just politely respond or ignore it.

I normally can let advice go in one ear and out the other or take what I want (if unsolicited). We live with my MIL and I have only experienced a few episodes where I would like to punch her. She still treats my hubby like a child, making him feel insecure if he is with the baby by himself. I trust my MIL advice, however, she has once or twice overstepped and contradicted me in what I thought was best for my daughter. I don't care how many children you have had, this is mine and my hubby and I will do what we think is best.