Area women give advice to new mothers

From skinned knees to shattered hearts, mothers are expected to fix it all. It is a job that never ends.

Unfortunately, children do not come with an instruction manual. While there are hundreds of books with advice and suggestions about how to raise a child, it can still be a daunting task to find answers. Page after page of maternal philosophy and parenting perfection can overwhelm and intimidate new mothers.

Sometimes the best source for advice on mothering is other mothers. The Southeast Missourian asked some mothers with experience to offer their lessons learned to novice mommies.

~ Carrie Bartholomew

"Spend as much time with your kids as possible. They should always come first."

Marilyn Eggiman, Jackson

"You think they grow up, leave the home, get married and you are done, but you aren't. You are always their parent. You're job is never done, and that is not a bad thing. You are always involved in their lives."

Delores Owen, Cape Girardeau

"Make your children do for themselves. Don't do it all for them. Make them clean their rooms. Make them pick up after themselves. Teach them responsibility."

Jane Fields, Glenallen, Mo.

"Ask for help. There is no shame in not knowing all the answers."

Barbara Hill, Millersville

"The first child is the hardest because you don't know what to expect. If you, and your child, survive the first one, go for a second one. The second one is easier."

Judy Diebold, Fruitland

"Choose your battles carefully because there are going to be a lot of them. Not everything is a big deal."

Linda Miller, Cape Girardeau

"When it comes to parenting always remember 'united we stand, divided we fall.' It should always look like you and your husband are in it together."

Kelly Mansfield, Cape Girardeau

"Make sure you have lots of patience."

Julie Crowden, Chaffee, Mo.

"When the baby is crying and won't stop, take a deep breath and leave the room for a few minutes."

Celinda Tankersly, Marble Hill, Mo.

"After a bad day always remember that God will never give you more than you can handle."

Louise Jones, Jackson

"Try not to compare your kids to each other. They are their own person."

Ashley Evans, Cape Girardeau

"Keep up with your pictures. If don't stay on top of them, they will end up stored in boxes and children like to look at themselves when they were younger. Grandchildren especially like looking at what their parents looked like when they were young. Cherish every moment. It goes by too quickly."

Linda Biri, Jackson

"Listen intently to your kids. Stop what you are doing, look them in the eye and really listen. Hear how their day went. They grow up so quickly and those childlike, beautiful memories are gone and they won't want to talk to you about those little things."

Annie Criddle, Millersville

"The second child will have fewer pictures than the first. It is inevitable. Be prepared for the second child syndrome and plan ahead to try to avoid it."

Jacque Buchanan, Jackson