Parenting can be a very rewarding experience, especially when you do the best job possible. You want your child to grow up to be successful and well-adjusted in their adulthood. This article is full of many tips to make parenting easier, less stressful and to raise the best child you can.
We all know that engaging in an argument with a toddler is never the most productive use of our time. To avoid arguments, make sure you explain your reasons for your rules in ways that are easy for your toddler to understand, and decide ahead of time which rules are flexible and which are non-negotiable.
To strengthen the bond between you and your child, and to help enhance their cognitive development, turn off the television! Limit their tv watching to special occasions – children who spend very little time watching tv are more socially competent, more academically competent, and more creative and imaginative than their television-watching peers.
In order for your teenagers to get along with you, trust is very important. If you try to accuse your teen of things that they may in fact be doing, it is only going to make your relationship worse. You must trust them; in turn they will respect and have such a great relationship with you that they wouldn’t want to do anything to disappoint you.
Feel free to breastfeed your baby for comfort. Many believe that breastfeeding for comfort will make the baby associate food with emotional comfort. Offering the breast actually encourages your baby to turn to you instead of things for support. The breastfeeding is just one component of the bond that helps your baby feel better. This will provide crucial emotional security and stability as they develop.
Consistency is essential when parenting children. Children need to know what is expected of them every time. If you are not consistent with your expectations, it could cause your child to get confused and not know what it expected of them. Keeping expectations constant makes life easier for both the parent and the child.
Look into the latest in baby monitors for your little one. You can program these new gadgets to call your smart phone whenever there is any kind of noise in your baby’s room. It is a great way to get a bit of work done while you baby naps, and get the alert that your baby wants you when she wakes.
Always remember you have needs as well, and don’t forget to take good care of yourself when possible. Take the time to have a spell during the day to relax, focus on your needs and to re-energize yourself for the next challenge. Your children will feel happier if you are feeling your best as you care for them.
Use common household items to keep your child entertained. Items such as empty paper towel rolls, pots and pans, empty boxes and old clothing, can easily occupy a child’s imagination without a lot of financial investment. As an added benefit, children encouraged to use their imagination in play, are often more successful at problem solving as they get older.
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.
Take advantage of your child’s school’s computer records to keep up with your child’s daily progress. Most school systems today have computerized tracking of grades and assignments. Get the access code to that system and use it on a daily basis to make sure nothing slips up on you when report cards come out.
If you make a statement, follow through with it. If you say the same things over and over to your child without imposing a consequence, he is never going to listen to you. However, if you truly mean what you say and you follow through with your words, your child will learn to listen to you the first time you say something.
Your child will more readily try new foods if you include him in the preparation. Ask your child if he would like to help prepare dinner sometime. He can tear lettuce for a salad, stir pancake batter or whatever tasks are age-appropriate. Children feel a sense of pride when they’re allowed to participate in meal-preparation. And, they almost never turn down the chance to sample their creations!
When your child throws a fit or goes into a temper tantrum, he or she may be overstimulated. Isolate the child from any exciting stimuli, in order to help him or her to calm down faster. A child-sized tent may be the best place to calm a truculent child. For a faster, cheaper alternative, you can put a blanket over a small table to create an isolated, calming cavern for your child.
Keep in mind how important your children are to you, even if they do drive you crazy sometimes. There are plenty of people out there that would love to be in your shoes or have a family but can’t for a number of reasons. Cherish your children and remember how fortunate you are.
Having teens can be hard, but taking the time to talk with them, and listen to them, will have long lasting positive results. Let them know that you love them no matter what, and try to identify with what they are experiencing. Too often we parents gloss over their feelings to lay down the law, when a little understanding and a good heart-to-heart can make all the difference.
