Have you always longed for an open, honest relationship with your child? Have you wanted to be the kind of parent that your child feels comfortable sharing things with? Have you found discipline a challenging thing for you to enforce? If your answer to any of the above questions were yes, the parenting tips below are for you!
If you take your child on a trip, keep routines as similar as possible by eating and sleeping in the same way, at around the same times as normal. Small children and babies can get stressed out on the road. Maintaining bedtime rituals can provide comfort for your child in the unfamiliar space and can permit all of you to get the sleep you need.
Hold your breast with your fingers underneath and holding your thumb on the top when breastfeeding. Use the hand you use the most to support the head and the other hand for holding your breast. Place the nipple near his nose and he will open wide to take it in. This will provide the best latch for success.
Just like other relationships you may have in your life, communicating is the key to connecting with your child. By letting them know you are interested in what they have to say, they will feel like they can trust you. By you communicating with them, they are more likely to respect you.
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.
Use the magic behind magnets to entertain your kids. You can easily keep a cookie sheet and some magnets in your car so when your child becomes bored, they will have something to do. You can use any kind of magnets as long as they are large enough to keep them from choking on them.
Get down to your child’s eye level. A child respects a parent who looks them in the eye when they are talking. A child appreciates a parent who will get down on the floor and play with them. If your child is always physically looking up to you then you’re missing something in your parenting style.
If your child is sick, especially with a fever or cough, it is crucial that you not send them to school. Not only does your child need to stay home and rest when they are sick, but sending them to school can increase the chances of your child spreading their illness to other kids.
To soothe a fussy or colicky baby, try babywearing. Using a wrap, sling, mei tai or other carrier keeps your baby snuggled close to your body, and he or she can feel your movements and hear your heartbeat. Your baby may even nap in the carrier, allowing you to do housework or have your hands free for other tasks.
Wear your baby instead of using a stroller. Wearing a baby means you don’t have to make room in the car for a big stroller. Further, it means that you don’t have to push a heavy stroller through the mall. A baby who is worn also feels safe and secure next to their parent’s skin.
While listening skills are important in so many areas of your life, they may be most important in parenting. Always listen to your children. Even though they are developing, even though their vocabulary is limited, your kids are trying as hard as they can to communicate with you. Pay attention when they do, and do your best to understand what really matters to your children.
Create a rules list that your kids should know. Also create consequences for inappropriate actions, and remain consistent with them. Children gain a sense of security and love when they have limits and boundaries set forth by loving parents. Rules can also make parenting easier for you and your partner.
When your child is working on homework, make sure to provide a distraction-free environment. Minimize noise and talk around their area, and turn off the TV. If they’re on the computer, make sure they’re only using programs directly related to the assignment. Distractions make it difficult to focus on the work and turn a quick assignment into a long ordeal.
Hang a calendar in your child’s bedroom to make note of which days your child has library, gym, music and art to help you child get in the habit of being prepared for school. Marking library day on the calendar will ensure that library books won’t be forgotten. Marking gym days will tell your child they need to wear sneakers.
Talk to your kids and listen when they talk to you. Welcome dialogue about uncomfortable topics as this will help you get to understand your children and their needs better! The tips above will help you become a better parent so your kid can be the best kid he or she can be!