Are You A Parent? You Must Read More!
Facing many of the
challenges of everyday parenting can be just a matter of knowing some
common sense tips to give you the advantage. If what you are doing is
not working, this article has some ideas that can give you that
advantage and make facing the everyday challenges smooth sailing.
Start
teaching your child to do chores at a young age. Even a 3-year-old can
be taught to do basic chores, like feeding the dog or picking up toys.
This will instill in your child the idea that he plays an important role
in the family. It will boost his self-esteem.
Sweets and other
high-calorie foods should only be given in moderation and only for
rewards, not for everyday snacks. You can teach your children to snack
healthy by making sure you only give them things like apples, raisins,
granola bars, etc. Giving them candy will make them continue to want the
candy.
Try making a special reading area for your children. Put
some appealingly arranged shelves full of books appropriate to their age
group and a comfortable place to sit and read. Encourage them to use
the space by making a reading corner time each day, and if possible, let
them see you reading during this time as well.
For a toddler who
hates having her hair washed, try mimicking a salon visit in your own
house. Allow her to lay back on the kitchen or bathroom counter with a
towel under her neck for support, and wash her hair in the sink. Give
her a soothing scalp massage and talk to her in a silly voice to make
the experience less scary.
If you can afford it as a parent, you
should definitely send your children to private schools. Public schools
are currently in shambles. Your political view might make you a little
blind to the hard facts, but public schools are being held hostage by
special interests and kids are continuing to fall behind.
Make use of online video conferencing to build your children's relationships
with relatives who live far away. By scheduling regular calls with
grandparents, aunts, and uncles, your child will become familiar with
their relatives and not be timid around them when they come to visit in
person. Your child will be able to enjoy the relationships despite the distance.
Engage
your older children in making sure your home is safe for a baby or
toddler. While older children enjoy more freedom in the household, they
may not understand why their small toys or art supplies are dangerous to
their younger sibling. Explain the dangers and involve them in keeping
your home safe for everyone.
If you child wants to argue with you
about a specific rule that you have set, just repeat the rule and do
not respond to his argument. Arguing with him will only lead to your
frustration, and it encourages him to argue further. You want to let you
child see that you are firm in your decision.
As you can see
from the tips in this article, there are many ways to use common sense
ideas to overcome the challenges of parenting. Putting these tips to
practical use will give you the confidence you need to be the best
parent you can be, every day, for your children.