When you just don’t know what to do and you are having doubts about your parenting skills, you may feel like you’re all alone in the world. You’re not! We’ve all been through it and we’ve all come through the other side better people and that includes our kids. Here are some tips on how we’ve dealt with a variety of parenting problems and survived.
Have someone besides mom introduce the baby to a bottle if needed. A baby who is being breastfeed will be less likely to take a bottle from the mother as they want what they are used to. The process will go much smoother if a dad or other caregiver gets the baby used to a bottle.
In order to be a good parent, you must not watch every single thing that your child does. This will smother them and only push them further away. If you give them some freedom, they will in turn put more truth into how they are feeling and how they are living their life. This way, the children are less likely to rebel.
Being around your children a lot can be very stressful. Make sure you take time out for you. Plan a dinner date with a good friend, go for a long walk to go to the movies by yourself. That little time away will be enough for your to recharge and be the best parent you can be.
While going through a divorce with younger children, it is important to give them only the information that is necessary for them to understand. No excess information should be given to the young children or it could hurt their impression of the parent. Your kids should not feel any effect of their parents divorce, even though they always do.
A great parenting tip is to admit when you’re wrong. Don’t think that just because you’re older, that you’re smarter and always know what’s right. Admitting when you’re wrong will make your child respect you more and they’ll be more likely to listen to you when you have something to say.
A great parenting tip is to involve the whole family when it comes to making decisions. Start having family meetings. This will make every member of your family, including your child, feel more responsible and helpful. Don’t just think you’re the only authority and that you should make all the decisions.
When your child is acting out, ask yourself if he or she possibly needs some one-on-one attention. If you have been caught up on the computer or phone or have otherwise been occupied, give your child ten undivided minutes of your time. This may ward off a full-blown tantrum and reminds your child that he or she is worthy of your attention.
Remember what is happening today will be over with tomorrow. If your kids messed up your clean living room, know that it won’t stay that way, it will be clean again tomorrow. Having this viewpoint will help you to move on.
When you are going to a place where there will be large number of people, dress your children in colorful clothing that will be distinctive from a distance. You might want to consider matching clothing for the adults in your party. It will help prevent you and your children becoming separated in a crowd.
When your child starts school it is important to make sure that they know what to expect. If at all possible you should take your child on a tour of their school before they attend. This will help them to feel prepared and may help relieve some of the anxiety they may be experiencing.
When a child acts out it is important to take their privileges from them within reason and that the punishment match the crime. You do not want to take all of a child’s privileges for a minor wrongdoing. If you do, it will not motivate them in the desired way.
One way you can prevent tantrums (and sneakily encourage self-determination at the same time) is by offering your child a choice between two equivalent alternatives. The chance to make his or her own decision will please your child. By presenting equally valid choices you can avoid any disagreement. Often, a well-prepared choice can entirely eliminate arguments and dissension.
Do not spend too much on routine rewards that you give to your young child. If you buy a child a toy every time he behaves well, your pocket book will suffer. Young children do not understand the monetary value of things. So, even a small reward, like a special sticker, will mean a lot to him.
Shampooing the hair for your children can be a trying experience for parents. You can make this fun by pretending you are a hairdresser and your child is your customer. By making this into a game, your child will not consider washing their hair an unpleasant experience. Avoid to get shampoo in your child’s eyes.
If your child is being bullied, talk to them about it. Have family members share their own experiences with bullying and how they handled it, and make sure to support them unconditionally. Also contact the school and see what methods are in place for teachers and staff to help the situation.
A great way to spend time with your children on a regular basis is to have a family game night. Pick out a game that everyone will enjoy or let family members take turns choosing a game. Playing a game together as a family is a fun alternative to sitting around watching TV or each one going off and doing their own thing.
Just hold tight, breathe deeply and remember that tomorrow is another day. Implement the techniques we’ve supplied and come up with some of your own. Parenting is the hardest job on earth and there is no handbook or training that can truly prepare you for it. The beauty is that the foundation you are laying for your child, is well worth the effort!
