Learning how to be a good parent is a process. For a lot of us parenting doesn’t come naturally. Everyone is scared of making mistakes when it comes to being the one responsible for a new life. While no one has all the answers, these tips should help you on your way.
Make time to play with your children every single day. Playtime helps get you and your children moving, which benefits your health. Playing also encourages creativity, social interaction, imagination, and good self-esteem. Active play is better than passive, so take your kids to the park or even just the yard and let loose your inner child.
Having a picky eat can be very difficult at times. Make sure you are offering them plenty of different foods. Also make sure to serve their favorite foods often as long as they are healthy. Have them at least try one bite before they decide not to have any of it.
If there are children in the house, don’t smoke inside. In fact, it’s a good idea to stop smoking completely. Secondhand smoke is just as bad as actually smoking. Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke experience more risk in developing respiratory problems, such as asthma, bronchitis or pneumonia.
An effective way to stop a tantrum is to ignore it, as difficult as it may be for you. Children usually throw tantrums to get attention. If you stand next to a child while he is throwing a fit, you are giving him an audience and he will have no incentive to stop. Just make sure that the child is in an area where he will not hurt himself and leave him alone. When he sees that his tantrum is not getting a rise out of you, he will eventually stop.
When you are flying with a car seat, request a seat-belt extender from your airline. This item will make the belt longer and allow you easier access to the buckle when it is time to get off the plane. Many parents have trouble getting their car seat off the plane because the airplane’s belt gets caught in the car seat. An extender will eliminate the problem.
In disciplining your teen, it is important to follow through with your threats. For instance, if you take away television from your teen as a punishment, be sure to follow through with enforcing this. Otherwise, they will see your threats as idle and having no meaning, and you will lose any control over them.
Find a mesh teether. These neat little things allow you to put different kinds of food in them and keep them in the freezer and give them to your child when they need them. You can use any kind of food that your child likes and it will be an enjoyable treat for them as they sooth their sore gums.
Do not neglect yourself and your needs. You will find that some time set aside each day for relaxation will give you the energy you need to be a better parent. You will feel better, and your children will be happier as a result.
If becoming a stepparent is on your horizon, keep in mind that it will be a while before you get along with your stepchild. It is not uncommon to resent their parents’ separation. It is important to take the relationship slow. It will allow you and the child to get to know each other better and to have a relationship that is built on a strong foundation.
Even though it may be an uncomfortable topic for parents to discuss, it is very important that you talk to your children about drugs while they are still young. This way, once they hit the age when peer pressure is common, they will know that drugs are not good for them.
Allow a child to start showing independence at an early age. When they are old enough to put away their own toys and clear their own plates from the table then let them. They will never learn the importance of doing things on their own if you do everything for them.
All children love to have a good time and play. They need to have regular time for playing. However, good parenting involves more than letting your children run around.
Dive head first back into childhood yourself by playing with your child. Play with your child like another child would, really take a walk in their shoes. You will learn a lot about your child in the process and build a deeper bond with the child along the way.
If you’re teaching a teen to drive, an ideal place to start out is an empty parking lot. That way the teen can learn how to use car functions like headlights, windshield wipers and the like, as well as learning the handling of the car, and basics like signaling turns and stopping at signs.
Provide your child with healthy meals and snacks. Giving your child well-balanced meals early in life sets the stage for life-long health and wellness. It is okay to give them treats every now and then, but make sure that you are not doing it to show affection. This can send an unhealthy message.
If you have multiple children, you and your spouse or partner should each plan one-on-one time with each child. Your “dates” might include accompanying you on trips to the store, going out for ice cream, or other activities. Your children will relish in the individual attention, and they will appreciate being able to talk to you about their lives without interruption from their siblings.
Positive Parenting
Positive parenting is a great practice to follow because it allows for structure and discipline for the child. Parents that practice positive parenting methods focus on the good things that their child is doing rather than the negative. By doing this, parents build up the self esteem of their child, as well as promote a positive environment for everyone.
