Does your child constantly push boundaries and break the rules, close him/herself off when it comes to sharing emotions and feelings? Are you frustrated with having the same conversations or fights with your child over and over again? Below are experienced parenting tips to help you create better communication and a stronger relationship!

If you have a toddler who is throwing a tantrum, make a “safety fort” out of a blanket or towel thrown over a chair. Many times, toddler tantrums are related to over-stimulation, and removing the stimulation by blocking it out can help. It provides your toddler with a safe space in which they can regroup and calm down.

When traveling with small children, consider booking two rooms with an adjoining door. This will allow you to have your child sleep in a separate room without being too far away from you. It also provides more space to unpack without baby going through the suitcases. Be sure to double-check when you make the reservation that the rooms are physically connected with a door, not just next to each other.

Make sure to wait at least 3 to 4 weeks before introducing a baby to the bottle. Doing so earlier can confuse the baby and it will reduce your milk supply for breastfeeding. Women’s bodies produce milk based on the demand. So, the more often that you supplement with a bottle, the less milk you will produce.

You need to spend some time alone, without your kids. Get a loved one to watch them, even if it’s only a few hours. Tension often arises after parents have gone too long without a break from the kids. As tension rises, so does the stress of the household, which can cause everyone to be unhappy.

Learn to breastfeed your baby in public so that you will be able to breastfeed for your child’s first year of life. Mothers who have not learned how to discretely nurse in public tend to start offering bottles and that is usually the beginning of the end of a breastfeeding relationship.

Be consistent. Children function better when they know what is going to happen during the day, especially young children. A huge change in schedule or no schedule will give you very crabby children. They will feel like they are out of control, and they will show you that in their behavior.

A great parenting tip is to never verbally abuse your child. Abuse is abuse, no matter what form it is. Verbally abusing your child can make them feel worthless, confused, and can lead to a multitude of emotional problems in their later life. Never verbally abuse your child under any circumstances.

A great parenting tip is to accompany your small children if they decide to go trick or treating. Young children definitely need a chaperone or parent with them when they go trick or treating because it can get hectic. You should be there for them to make sure they are safe at all times.

Buying toys at yard sales is a great way to save money on toys your kids will only use for a little while. While most toys are okay second-hand, stay away from buying second-hand cribs. Many of the old cribs have the drop-down style, which has been proved to cause injury and death to newborns. So while its alright to stock up on books and blocks, steer clear of the cribs.

Cooling down over-the-counter child medications can make them more palatable for your kids. When you child refuses to take the medicine he or she needs it’s easy to get tremendously frustrated. The disagreeable taste of over-the-counter liquid medicines can be ameliorated with a little cooling. Put OTC syrups in the fridge or freezer to make them tastier to your children.

As a parent, it’s important to take some time for yourself. It seems natural to always put our children first, but over time we can experience burnout and become stressed and frazzled. Setting aside a little time for yourself regularly can go a long way toward keeping you a happy and healthy parent.

While the needs of children often must come first, it’s important as a married parent to make your marriage a priority. There are many benefits for children whose parents have a healthy marriage. They are more likely to attend college, have a better relationship with both of their parents, and are emotionally healthier and more stable.

Do not shy away from personal contact with your children. Children need love and affection and consistent hugging is in order. You have to be able to hug your child and tell them how beautiful they are and say “I love you.” This is a no-brainer but something that is often left off the table.

Do not be frustrated in your relationship with your child! All relationships go through rough patches. Remember, your kid is constantly changing, growing and experiencing new things. Keep up with these changes by having open communication and dialogue with your child. The tips above will help you do this, which will ultimately lead to a happier relationship.

From Babies To Teens: Essential Parenting Tips was originally published on Spring