As it's been said, "The best defense is a good offense" and that certainly applies here. The more knowledgeable you are about parenting, the more confident you will be when listening to everyone else's opinions. When you have read parenting books, attended lectures or classes, participated in a support group or subscribed to family magazines you build a foundation of knowledge. When you know that your decisions are based on facts you can relax when given that "helpful advice." The best way to respond? A simple smile and a comment such as, "Well, thanks for your concern, but we've done our research and are confident we're making the right decisions." Then change the subject!