Top 5 Pieces of Advice for Parents (By Age & Stage) by Dr. Joshua Sherman, MD, FAAP

At VIP Nannies, we’re always looking to bring families trusted guidance from professionals we truly respect. That’s why we were so excited to invite one of our favorite pediatricians to share his expert insight with our community.

We’re honored to feature advice from Dr. Joshua Sherman, MD, FAAP, Pediatric Concierge & Emergency Physician and Founder of KidCierge Pediatric Care.

In this special guest feature, Dr. Josh shares his Top 5 Pieces of Advice for Parents, By Age & Stage, offering practical, reassuring tips to help families navigate each phase with confidence (and a little humor along the way).

Parenting is a long game with short naps. Each stage brings new joys, new challenges, and new opportunities to wonder, “Is this normal?” (Spoiler: usually, yes.) Here’s your quick, sanity-saving guide through the ages—equal parts science, common sense, and a little humor.

 👶 Newborns (0–3 months): The “What day is it?” phase  

1. Feed the baby, not the clock. Hunger cues > schedules. You’re not running a train station.  

2. Sleep when the baby sleeps. Yes, you’ve heard it. Yes, it’s still true. Laundry can wait.  

3. Crying is communication, not manipulation. They’re not plotting—just signaling.  

4. Skin-to-skin is magic. It regulates the baby and calms you. Win-win.  

5. Lower the bar. Survival is success. You’re doing better than you think.

 🍼 Infants (3–12 months): The “Everything goes in the mouth” era  

1. Create simple routines. Predictability helps brains (and parents) stay sane.  

2. Talk constantly. Narrate life like a podcast. Language builds fast.  

3. Tummy time = tiny workouts. Future crawling depends on it.  

4. Respond consistently. Trust is built in these small moments.  

5. Baby-proof early. If they can reach it, it’s already too late.

 🚼 Toddlers (1–3 years): The “No!” Olympics  

1. Pick your battles. Not every hill is worth dying on (looking at you, mismatched socks).  

2. Offer choices. “Red cup or blue cup?” Control without chaos.  

3. Expect big feelings. Small humans, huge emotions. Stay calm—they borrow your nervous system.  

4. Consistency beats perfection. Same rules, every day. Even when you’re tired. Especially then.  

5. Play is their work. Get on the floor. Yes, even when your back protests.

 🧒 Children (4–10 years): The “Why?” phase (on repeat)  

1. Answer questions… mostly. Curiosity is intelligence in action.  

2. Teach effort over outcome. Praise trying, not just winning.  

3. Set clear boundaries. Kids feel safer when adults are in charge (even if they complain).  

4. Model behavior. They watch more than they listen. (Yes, even that eye roll.)  

5. Protect family time. Connection now = trust later.

 🧑‍🎓 Teens (11–18 years): The “I know everything” stage  

1. Stay connected, not controlling. Influence beats authority at this age.  

2. Listen more than you lecture. If you talk less, they talk more.  

3. Don’t take it personally. Mood swings aren’t about you (usually).  

4. Set boundaries with respect. Firm + fair = credibility.  

5. Keep showing up. Even when they act like they don’t care—they do.

 🧑 Young Adults (18+): The “Letting go without disappearing” phase  

1. Shift from parent to consultant. Give advice when asked (or at least invited).  

2. Respect their independence. You raised them for this moment. Deep breath.  

3. Stay emotionally available. Your role changes, your importance doesn’t.  

4. Support, don’t rescue. Struggle builds resilience. You’re the safety net, not the solution.  

5. Enjoy the relationship. This is where the payoff begins—less managing, more connecting.

Final Thoughts from Dr. Josh:  

There’s no perfect parent—just present ones. If you’re showing up, learning, and trying again tomorrow, you’re already winning. And remember: every phase feels long… until suddenly, it wasn’t.

We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Joshua Sherman for sharing his thoughtful and practical guidance. If you’re located in the Los Angeles area and looking for personalized, high-quality pediatric care, we encourage you to learn more about KidCierge Pediatric Care, Los Angeles’s premier pediatric concierge practice. To connect with Dr. Josh or learn more about his services, visit: www.kidciergepediatriccare.com 424-655-2407

Dr. Josh is board-certified in BOTH Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine.