There are many reasons to choose to become a parent. It does bring joy, but it also has its share of problems and stress. Throughout all stages of the life cycle, children are more than willing to let you know how unique and remarkable they are. Keep reading for a selection of child-rearing tips and advice that will help you to cope with all sorts of trials and tribulations.
After clearing space on the counter, let your child lie on a towel while you allow water from the kitchen faucet to run over the scalp and hair. Most toddlers find this method less stressful than having their head placed under water.
As a parent, it is important to encourage good behavior with positive reinforcement. It is natural that children seek attention. Children will try get their parent’s attention by behaving well or behaving badly. Ignoring a child’s good behavior can be very dangerous, because it can tempt the child to display poor behavior just because they are so desperate for attention.
Give your child plenty of opportunities to develop his or her senses. The smells of cooking, the feel of mud, and the colors of paint can all help your child become more involved with the world. Look for opportunities to use all the senses with shapes, textures, tastes and smells that you and your child can enjoy together.
Try telling your children the right thing to do instead of what they should not do. If you are constantly reminding the kids of what they are not allowed to do, they may feel like their freedom is being trampled. Try using positive reinforcement instead; remind children regularly of what they are free to do instead of focusing on what you don’t want them to do.
While your kids need your time too, you still need “you” time. This allows you to retain your individualism, which is sometimes lost in the course of bringing up a child.
Having a daily routine helps impose discipline in a child’s life. Try to keep them on time throughout their daily schedule, during homework time, meal time, and especially bed time. If you have a routine, you will have a better behaved child, always follow through.
All kids enjoy playing. Children learn how to socialize, communicate, and share through playing. Playtime should be more than simply leaving open blocks of time for unstructured activities.
Try putting yourself in your child’s shoes when he or she presents a problem they are having to you. To a child, a small problem such as missing a favorite stuffed animal may seem minor to you, but to them, it’s a big deal.
When teaching young children about something new, chart their accomplishments. For example, if you divide a chart into 24 squares, you can fill one of the squares with a sticker each time your child completes the new task. Your child should receive a reward for filling in the whole chart. Such a chart can be a powerful motivational tool, because it makes a child’s progress visible and focuses his or her mind on the upcoming reward.
Raising children is both the most rewarding and stressful job you could do. Whether you are a new parent or an experienced mother hen, parenthood itself always presents new challenges and revelations. Whether you have a problem to deal with, or you would just like to brush up on child-rearing, look back at these helpful hints to aid you in your task.