Be The Mom Or Dad You Want To Be
Bringing Up A Child is very challenging, and having the skills and knowledge required is extremely important in being the best parent you can be. Educating yourself about your child’s growth, behavior and development will help you become a better parent.
Think about how your children receive what you say. Your children need to know that they are able to trust you.
Of course, you should spend time with your kids, but you also need time for you. Taking that little bit of time for yourself can really help to recharge your batteries, and also help you discover who you are outside of your parental role.
A little “me time” away from the company of your kids can be really important. Ask a relative to take care of your children while you do something relaxing. Parents that do not get personal or adult time away from children have higher levels of stress that magnify throughout the home.
When a child is teething, put sour vegetables, like pickles, in a hollow, mesh teether. There are many methods that work for relief, but if the item the child is chewing on contains a taste then he will more than likely keep chewing on it. The longer a child uses this tasty teether, the more relief they will feel and the happier you both will be.
Using rules that detail exactly what is expected can help to cut back on the amount of fighting that goes on and ultimately help your children live together more harmoniously. For example, instead of “no hitting,” opt for “only touch gently.”
Rotate toys often for toddlers to keep them from becoming bored or forgetting what is at the bottom of the toy box. Usually a toddler will quit paying attention to a toy, unless it’s one of their favorites. Your toddler will regain interest in their toys if they are different every day and this will make it so you don’t have to buy as many.
If you are about to become a stepparent, make sure you realize that it can be a long time before your stepchild gets along with you. It is not uncommon to resent their parents’ separation. Go slowly and don’t force anything. With time you can forge a relationship together.
It is a good thing for your child to get involved with after-school programs, such as sports. Social or sporting activities help your child develop social skills and they can make new friends. These are two important abilities that will be used throughout adulthood, too. As importantly, if your children are involved with positive activities, they are less likely to get in trouble.
You can help your child build healthy self-esteem by encouraging him or her to enroll in a team sport. Attending your child’s games demonstrates the kind of encouragement and support that will build positive character traits and fond memories.
Take junk food out of the house. This will help encourage your family to eat healthier. Keeping these items out of the house, and thus out of your child’s mind, will make it less likely for them to want the unhealthy foods. Instead, these foods should be considered special, rare treats that are to be used as an occasional reward.
It is important that parents of children with ADHD keep them occupied with positive activities to avoid the occurrence of negative behavior. The children that suffer from these disorders are full of energy and need to be doing something to keep them occupied so that they don’t act out in an undesirable way. Try letting the child have free time outside and encourage him to run around, ride his bike or play on a playground for an hour or two a day.
Hopefully this article has inspired you with some practical and sensible ideas for effectively parenting your children. It is natural to need help, and a good parent should always look for more resources.