Life's Best Advice (From Parents, Of Course)

We love to hate them, yet parents often do know best. Looking back, the most transformative advice I've received came from my parents and family:

Mum: "If you don't know what to do, do nothing at all."

Dad: "Question everything."

Hamish: "If you don't want to, don't."

I remember standing on Cardiff's High Street, tears streaming down my face after a near breakup. Like many daughters, I called my Mum. While the details of that relationship have faded, the emotions remain vivid. Among all the racing thoughts and scenarios, Mum's wisdom cut through: "Katherine, if you don't know what to do, do nothing at all." At the time it was possibly one of the least helpful things I could have wished to hear - I wanted to take action; NOW! However, she encouraged me to focus on self-care – treat myself to cake, do things I enjoy – and wait until clarity emerged. Simple yet profound advice that was what I needed then and has guided me countless times since.

My father's mantra, "question everything," wasn't delivered in one memorable moment – it was woven into the fabric of my upbringing, as fundamental as good nutrition or education. This ingrained curiosity has blossomed into a lifelong passion for learning and personal growth.

As a new mother, I was textbook perfect with my first child: homemade everything, zero refined sugar, no screens, strict healthy eating rules, and all the recommended developmental activities. Then came my second child, just 15 months after the first. Five months later, I found myself navigating single motherhood with two under two. One day, discussing the prevalent use of screens among parent friends, I expressed my uncertainty about maintaining my no-screen stance. Hamish, my mum's partner, simply said, "If you don't want to, don't." His straightforward response was liberating. Why was I letting others' choices influence my parenting? Today, my 6- and 7-year-old girls still enjoy screen-free meals at our dining table and manage car journeys without digital entertainment. Those early fears never materialised because I stayed true to my instincts.

Key Takeaways:

1. When in doubt, pause. Rushing into decisions rarely leads to better outcomes.

2. Trust your instincts. Just because ‘everyone else is doing it’ doesn't mean you have to.

3. Stay curious. Questioning the world around you opens doors to continuous learning and growth.

4. Simple advice often carries the deepest wisdom. The most impactful guidance doesn't need to be complex.

5. Sometimes the best (parenting) strategy is staying true to your values, even when it means going against the grain.