34 Parenthood Rules That the Books Don't Tell You (but You Really Need to Know)

Flickr user Jason Devaun

During the course of adding a child into their lives, there is always a time in which new parents think, "Well, why didn't anyone warn me about this?" Sure, we get oodles of really important information from all those parenting books that we study up on prekids, but some of the most crucial lessons I've learned about raising children have come from experience in the field. So ditch the baby instruction manuals and check out some of the need-to-know rules that you probably won't get from any parenting books.

01
If a milk-filled sippy cup is lost, drop everything and find it.

If a milk-filled sippy cup is lost, drop everything and find it.

02
Never, ever leave a sharpie unattended.
Instagram | kuenne12

Never, ever leave a sharpie unattended.

03
Always assume it's poop.

Always assume it's poop.

04
If it's annoying at the store, it will be even more so at home.

If it's annoying at the store, it will be even more so at home.

05
Never serve rice (or shredded cheese or crackers) if you've just vacuumed the floor.
Instagram | mikepezy

Never serve rice (or shredded cheese or crackers) if you've just vacuumed the floor.

06
If he loves a certain food today, the same may not hold true for tomorrow.
Instagram | syrkoski

If he loves a certain food today, the same may not hold true for tomorrow.

08
Locking the door is much easier than explaining what Mommy and Daddy are doing behind it.
Flickr user littlebiglens

Locking the door is much easier than explaining what Mommy and Daddy are doing behind it.

09
Put folded laundry away immediately — it's easier than refolding it.
Instagram | englandorbust

Put folded laundry away immediately — it's easier than refolding it.

10
The later you go to bed at night, the earlier your child will wake up in the morning.

The later you go to bed at night, the earlier your child will wake up in the morning.

11
Always carry lollipops.

Always carry lollipops.

12
Don't expect your child to take you seriously when you say, "Just this once."
Instagram | cperezaraujo

Don't expect your child to take you seriously when you say, "Just this once."

13
Always kiss a boo-boo (even if there is no mark).
Instagram | bucer28

Always kiss a boo-boo (even if there is no mark).

15
The moment you've realized your child has been quiet is a moment too late.

The moment you've realized your child has been quiet is a moment too late.

16
"The Clean-Up Song" only works with one percent of children.
Instagram | creativelylori

"The Clean-Up Song" only works with one percent of children.

17
Traveling spouses and sick tots go hand in hand.
Instagram | smillshazel

Traveling spouses and sick tots go hand in hand.

18
When your child says he "feels sick," you have 1.6 seconds to jump to action.
Instagram | bigpapa_chef

When your child says he "feels sick," you have 1.6 seconds to jump to action.

19
The day you leave without any extra diapers is the day you will need them the most.

The day you leave without any extra diapers is the day you will need them the most.

20
If you say something bad about someone, your toddler will find an opportunity to tell that person.

If you say something bad about someone, your toddler will find an opportunity to tell that person.

22
Your child's nasty cold will magically cure itself as soon as he steps into the doc's office.

Your child's nasty cold will magically cure itself as soon as he steps into the doc's office.

23
Always pretend to eat the play food your child hands you.

Always pretend to eat the play food your child hands you.

24
As far as birthdays are concerned, there must always be cake.

As far as birthdays are concerned, there must always be cake.

25
Just because she refuses to try going potty doesn't mean she doesn't have to go.

Just because she refuses to try going potty doesn't mean she doesn't have to go.

26
More Cheerios will end up on the floor than in their bellies.

More Cheerios will end up on the floor than in their bellies.

27
The later you are for something, the slower your kids will move.

The later you are for something, the slower your kids will move.

29
Never wear white after having children.
Instagram | orangepancakes

Never wear white after having children.

30
If you need to run to the store really quick, don't bring your child.
Flickr user jlarnos

If you need to run to the store really quick, don't bring your child.

31
Spend more for fun shapes — they taste better.

Spend more for fun shapes — they taste better.

32
Bunk beds are great in theory and bad in reality.

Bunk beds are great in theory and bad in reality.

33
"Five more minutes" means anything but five more minutes.

"Five more minutes" means anything but five more minutes.

34
The minute you figure parenting out, everything changes.
Flickr user snapeverything

The minute you figure parenting out, everything changes.