Do I have the right to have an opinion?

[milly143]

Does someone with no children have a right to comment, give advice or make suggestions about raising a child to a parent?

[squarebear]

Of course they do. I've never been to the South Pole but would advise someone to wrap up warm.

[bednobs]

only if they ask you to

[Invictas]

Well, I have no children,and often give suggestions to friends who do.
I don't think I should be excluded from this,after all sometimes a person who is "outside" of the situation can see things more clearly.
After all someone who is not married or in a relationship is allowed to give advice to others who are,what's the difference in it being advice about a child.
Someone who is not an alcoholic can advise an alcoholic,or a drug addict.
No doubt others will shout me down for this opinion?

[ladyalex]

You certainly have the right to have an opinion.
Comments, advice or suggestions are a little trickier, should be offered with caution and with the knowledge that the person being advised may not wish to hear what you are saying.
Also, from my own experience, advice given on child-rearing before and after you have children of your own tends to be different.

[redcrx]

everyones allowed an opinion. You just have to watch how you put it across (whether you are a parent or not).

[ummmm]

Depends...

[jno]

it's a free country; but don't be surprised if your advice isn't taken. Why would a parent expect a non-parent to know more about it than she does herself?

[Answerprancer]

I don't see why not.
Most adults have natural child care instincts and abilities whether or not they have offspring.
I for one have had several years child-care experience (though I'm not a parent) and I am fully confident about any opinions and suggestions I may have in this area.

Having said that, I hope you're not looking for 'amunition' for an argument with someone ;-)

[Mamyalynne]

As others have said it is more than just having an opinion, it is about how and when to voice advice.

[jno]

AP, was that you who left the baby in the fridge? I told you if he was feverish to call the doctor.

[Invictas]

Although since last week I am wary of advising parents.
Why?
I was in Tesco's and a woman had a child in a trolley,the child was chewing a bit of raw rhubarb.
On the end of the stalk were some largish leaves.
The child was getting near to eating them.
I said to the (ignorant) Mother"Please don't let the child eat the leaves they are quite poisonous" (they contain high levels of oxalic acid) and can make children very sick..
Well,the mouthful I got back convinced me to let the b@stards poison their brats in future.

[Invictas]

If you give advice to a parent (who doesn't know you) how do they know if YOU are a parent or not?

[mccfluff]

yes - my standard advice lock them in a cupboard till they are old enough to work

[milly143]

Well I wouldn't just wade in and tell someone I thought they should be doing something differently with their child.

I've just been thinking about a situation a few weeks back. A group of us were having a chat about their kids and one of them said she had a problem with her son who had started stealing food, mostly sweets from the house. I began to mention my brothers experience of this with his son only a couple of months ago and was rather abrubtly told I couldn't really comment, what with not being a parent.

Now aside from the fact that I was once a child (a sweety theiving child too), I also have 8 nephews and nieces at the moment so I do have some idea of childrens behaviour and can draw on the way my brothers and sisters have dealt with things. Of course I don't understand what it is like to be a parent but that doesn't mean I wont have something valid to input.

[JonnyBoy12]

Yes, of course they do. I do not have children myself, but do care about other people's ones. I have worked with children, which were not my own, but that does not mean I do not care. Nurses work with people who they are not related to, and I give blood for the benefit of people I have never met, and never will (in this life, anyway). If the poster did not want answers from non-parents then they should say so.

[Invictas]

Yes milly,
I have had that too,and aswered by telling them NOT to ask ANY advice from me in future as obviously I was not qualified to answer on anything,that shut them up!

[redcrx]

milly, out of interes, what was your advice? my angelic faced little boy in my avatar is also a food pincher (not just sweets)

[milly143]

Confused about your last sentance Jonny - my question isn't restricted to parents only. Wouldn't that be a little ironic?

[Answerprancer]

Whatchyoo on about JNO - I punched massive air holes in the fridge with a screwdriver so he could breathe !

[China Doll]

You have a right to an opinion. But I wouldn't necessarily express an opininon on parenting unless asked directly.. Or occasionally on here if I think what I have to say is relevant.