Do you have any advice or suggestions for painting paneling?

Paneling can be painted successfully, Shirley. Here's a link to help:

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-paint-wood-paneling/

Make sure the paneling is clean and dry. Prime with a good stain blocking primer like Kilz. Then paint like painting regular walls. Acrylic latex paint will work. If the paneling has grooves you can fill them with non shrink drywall patching compound. Just put on enough to fill the grooves. Let it dry overnight. Next day use a damp sponge to smooth the patch. Then prime and paint.

If you just leave the grooves, it gives a bit if a cottage look. I painted mine with a spray painter and love the grooves.

And yes, you must prime it first. You WILL BE SO GLAD YOU DID IT!

I painted our closet that had paneling. It takes more paint, but it worked! Here is how we did it: https://www.aratariathome.com/blog/weekend-closet-makeover