The challenges of raising children change on a daily basis and sometimes on an hourly basis. Whether your child is a toddler or a teenager, they do not come with an instruction manual. This article provides some real-life tips to help you navigate through the obstacle course parenthood can be sometimes.
Make sure you don’t overload your child with work. Too many parents keep piling work onto young children and they overload them. Make sure your child has time to play and just relax. It’s important to balance work and play, especially when your child is just starting school. It’s too easy to ask too much of them at once.
If you think that your young child may have Autism or another communicationg disorder, make sure to get them tested as soon as you can. It is a proven fact that children who are diagnosed and treated at a young age have a better chance of leading a productive life than a child who started treatment later.
Look into slings and baby carriers designed for twins. They do exist, and they are fabulous. There is a learning curve for getting two babies into a carrier, but the benefits to mom and baby are enormous. Wearing your babies will allow you to get things done with your hands free, and the twins get the emotional connection and intellectual stimulation from being right with you.
Get a well made twin stroller that fits your life. There are two main types of twin strollers, the side to side and the back to back. Both have benefits that could recommend them for your children. A side by side will allow both babies to see the world in front of them, but as they get a little older it will also allow them to mess with each other. Back to back strollers are more likely to be compatible with car seats so look for what works for you.
Make sure to give your twins time with you that they don’t have to share. All too often twins are thought of as one complete unit. They are separate people and they need time to discover who they are on their own. Make time each week to take one twin to the park or the store with you.
Don’t forget your child’s favorite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal when traveling. Vacations are meant to be fun and relaxing, but children can feel uprooted and their routines feel disrupted. Your toddler will adjust more easily to the new place with the help of their favorite toy or a cuddly blanket.
Becoming a step-parent means there is a long road ahead of you before you will be accepted. The child may blame you for their parents’ separation. If you don’t rush things and give them time to develop, your stepchild should slowly start to accept you.
Never let your baby cry it out. A baby who cries it out, will feel abandoned and confused. The only way they have to communicate with you is to cry and when you don’t respond, it’s like you aren’t listening to your child. All babies will sleep through the night eventually, so use a gentler approach to get there.
If you have a child devoted to sucking their thumb, you likely want to wean them from the habit. The best way to do this is, first, to identify the situations or feelings that encourage the child to suck his or her thumb. Then, have a substitute – like a toy to cuddle – to offer them when temptation arises.
An easy way to build a good relationship with your child is to appreciate the simple things that he does. This can be done by displaying his or her artwork (such as schoolwork) on prominent places such as refrigerator doors. This will make the child feel wanted and appreciated at the same time.
Make sure you are communicating with your child frequently. Good communication involves talking and listening; when you engage in these two skills with your child, it helps develop trust and respect between the two of you. When they are very young, talking also encourages language development, which opens the door to begin engaging in a variety of educational tasks.
Praise your child. Scolding your child can get his attention, but it has been shown that toddlers are actually impacted more by praise than by discipline. Be sure to let your child know exactly what you are praising him for. The great feeling your child gets from being praised will make him want to repeat the good behavior over and over again.
While this article still does not provide you with an instruction manual for raising your children, try some of the suggestions to help make parenting easier. Every child is different and every age presents different challenges, but these tips can help you through problem areas or challenges with a different perspective.