When you're a parent, everyone's an expert on everything.

Have you ever just sat and talked with your friends about parenting? I mean sat down and talked and truly listened to what your friends say? Things about raising a child and all the advice that comes with it, with or without even knowing that advice has been given?

When you listen to people, you pick up on everything. Everyone from your closest friends, your family, even the lady at the park pushing her child on the swing beside you - everyone has something to say.

Some off it is odd, some of it is random. For instance, like when you get parenting advice from the lady standing behind you in the Wal Mart line up, and some of its actually useful. No matter the degree of advice, we all find ourselves passing along every word of it, to someone, if not anyone, we know with kids or those just expecting.

This is what I have gathered from friends, family and the various people you meet as you wander through life with a child.

From my mother-in-law, I learned that when a new baby enters your house for the first time you must make it happy with a gift. Now, a day's cash is sometimes offered so that the parents can get what they need, however you should give a gift or else the baby can leave you mice and rats. Also, from my mother in law, scissors between your mattresses will cut out the bad dreams...

From a lady I use to work with, I've learned that if I wanted my son to sleep at night, I was to "flip" him in mid air. Yes, take my baby and flip him over head over feet and that will rebalance him and he will sleep well all night. I received this advice from a sweet lady at Zellers while I was Christmas shopping...

From my mother, when your child sleeps you should always sleep as well. Sleep is precious and you will miss it. The dishes will get done, so will the laundry, but you can't get any of that done if you're not well rested. My mother also told me to make sure I have a baby swing and a jolly jumper so I can set them up and swing baby while I do laundry or dishes - after we have woken up from our naps.

My step-mom told me that I will never travel light again, or be on time.

An old parenting book suggested that we should place a child in the bathroom for a time out, where there is nothing for the child to get into.

From the clerk at Shoppers Drug Mart, while buying BandAids, I learned that super glue is for all wounds, works better than a band aid and it costs less in the long run. Apparently, the super glue works for accidents that might require stitches as well.

From my next door neighbour who used to babysit me as a child, I'm told that a messy room never hurt anyone. If it's not bad for the soul or bad for the body try not to get excited.

Some of the advice, in my opinion, is nothing more than folklore. Of course, some of the advice is relevant, and the one thing to remember when recieving it is to smile and thank them - and listen. Even if it turns out not to be useful information, one day it will make a great story, and might make the people around you smile about odd parenting advice they too have received.

By Michelle Laing