As we all know, parenting can be one of the most difficult jobs anywhere, but at the same time, is definitely, one of the most rewarding. The following article is taken from fellow parents, who have been there and done that and hope to take a little bit of learning the hard way, out of your parenting.

What experts say is true– reading books to your child is very important. Children learn just about everything by reading, from colors and numbers, to shapes and letters. Experts believe that 30 minutes of book reading each night could have your child on the way to reading before they even reach kindergarten!

To encourage breastfeeding in an infant, offer your child plenty of skin to skin contact. Skin to skin contact makes a young infant feel content. It also allows them to smell Mom’s milk and so, want to breastfeed more. The feeling of bonding and closeness that skin to skin contact facilitates is also great for Mom, as it reduces stress.

If you want to encourage your child to study longer, don’t force them to sit at a desk for hours on end. Your child might feel more comfortable on a bean bag, or in the imaginary fort in their room. As long as the location is well lit, it can serve as a great study area. This just might motivate your child to study longer.

When your child goes to the doctor’s office, be sure to tell the nurse or doctor if your son or daughter is taking any kind of over-the-counter vitamin or mineral supplement. Even though these products do not require a prescription, they can interact with or decrease the absorption of prescription antibiotics or other medications.

A great parenting tip is to give your children some privacy sometimes. If you’re always paranoid about what they’re doing or who they’re hanging out with, you can lose a lot of your children’s trust. Learn to back off from time to time and let your children have some privacy.

Invest in one of the customized music CDs that have your child’s name included in the songs. This will keep their attention as you sit through a long line of traffic. This can be used in long car rides, flights, or even train rides. It will be well worth the investment.

Get your little one involved in meal preparation as soon as they are able to handle specific tasks with assistance and supervision. For example, having a toddler help pour ingredients into a bowl can teach basic measurement while allowing you to finish preparing a meal. Just be sure to supervise closely and keep your child away from any dangerous appliances or utensils.

A great tip to help you with parenting is to get to know the kids your child is hanging out with. Though who your child hangs out with is ultimately his or her decision, you’d like to know if their friends are using drugs or if they participate in some kind of illegal activities.

Not every child is going to be a social butterfly. Some children are very shy and that is okay. You need to take notice if he or she is appearing more withdrawn than they normally do. If the behavior begins to appear strange, take your child to the doctor for a consultation.

Children can be inquisitive to an exasperating degree. When they inquire about rules that you set as a parent, do not rely on the well-worn “because I said so” defense. Instead, try justifying your rules by saying, “because it makes me happy.” While your kids may not understand the complexities of right and wrong, they have a thorough understanding of their parents’ feelings.

One important parenting skill that some modern parents neglect is good scheduling. Children are creatures of routine. Developing a firm schedule for the household and the children’s place in it encourages good behavior and contentment. A nightly argument about when to go to bed, for example, is eliminated by a firmly established bedtime. A good schedule takes a little of the hassle out of parenting.

When potty training a toddler, be sure you walk him to the “potty” regularly. It might be hard to understand as an adult, but your toddler may still find it difficult to communicate that they need to use the bathroom ahead of time. Going to the bathroom consistently every few hours will help avoid accidents. This usually signals to him that it’s time go.

Hopefully, you have found this article to be informative and educational and even a bit inspirational, in your parental search for solutions. Mix all the information in with a good sense of humor and you have the beginnings of great attitude in facing the most challenging role of your lifetime, with grace, success and a smile.

Parenting Made Simple With These Tips was originally published on Spring