Random Parental Advice, one installment of my opinions thereon

[celticdragonfly]

So I was chatting with joyeuse13, who recently posted about looking for advice on parenting. I was telling her some things about my day with the kids, and told her a list of parenting advice that was what I ought to be passing along. She said I ought to write all this down, and share it with her and another friend who's anticipating a baby in the near future.

• Chickfila has the best play areas, and puts the best toy (or often book!) in the kids meals.
  
• Nordstroms is the department store with the nicest changing areas.
  
• On the road, Cracker Barrel makes for good kid resttops, reliable restrooms with a changing shelf always in the same place.
  
• It's worth getting good shoes at Striderite, but most kids clothing can be better bought 2ndhand - just be picky when you're going through them.
  
• anything with a Disney or other cartoon characters on it is a) too expensive and b) too cheaply made
  
• and buy little boy pants for little girls - I put Maggie in the girly pants her great-aunt sent, and regretted it - they are cut so differently, it really restricted her being able to play and climb at Chickfila. I gotta remember to just stick with the boys sweatpants she usually wears. That or when she wears loose cut dresses with tights or stretchpants under them.
  
• And boppy pillows are a Mama's best friend.