Have you always longed for an open, honest relationship with your child? Have you wanted to be the kind of parent that your child feels comfortable sharing things with? Have you found discipline a challenging thing for you to enforce? If your answer to any of the above questions were yes, the parenting tips below are for you!

A tip for parents of teething babies is to offer some alternatives to the traditional frozen washcloth. Putting flavorful, cold vegetables in a mesh teething bag can be a great way to soothe a child’s discomfort. The extra taste imparted by the food may help the baby chew longer, thus extending their relief.

Have a daily routine or schedule as much as possible. Most children prefer routine, as it means they know what will be coming next. Surprises can be fun, but not every day. Having a basic schedule for activities, mealtimes, and naps, and a more detailed schedule for bedtime can help your child remain calm and focused throughout their day.

It is important that you recognize the signs that your child is ready to start using the toilet. By pushing them to use it when they are not ready, you can actually delay the whole process. Some signs of readiness include having regular bowel movements, staying dry for at least two consecutive hours, and coming out and asking to use the potty.

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.

Sometimes, the best reaction is no reaction at all. When your child throws a temper tantrum or fit, remain calm. Do not try to bribe him or her to behave, but also avoid making irritated or caustic remarks with the intention of threatening or shaming the child. Instead, continue speaking normally, getting chores done and addressing the child, as if he or she was not acting up.

If your children are playing with toys and sets that have dozens of tiny pieces or parts, use a cookie sheet as a sort of place mat. The raised edges will prevent small pieces from being scattered around and lost forever. And clean-up is simple: just tilt the cookie sheet and pour everything back into its box or container.

Giving firm and clear instructions can help when you have trouble getting a child to listen to you. Asking your child to do something generally gets poorer results than when you firmly tell them to do something. For example, a common problem that many parents have is getting their child to brush their teeth at night. Asking the child to brush their teeth is not going to be as successful as telling them it is time to brush their teeth.

Help your child to refrain from overeating at mealtimes. With the rise in childhood obesity in our country, it is extremely important to help our children to recognize when they are still hungry and when they tend to eat out of boredom. When your child cries, “I’m still hungry!” suggest another activity or maybe a glass of water instead. If they really are hungry, they will let you know very shortly. Then encourage them to have a healthy snack such as veggies with a low-fat dip, or some fruit. Sometimes they really are hungry, but by distracting them for a few minutes, you may find that they were just looking for something to do.

Play with your children. Not only is it fun for both of you, playing also has an incredible impact on reducing children’s negative behaviors. By spending time with your children in this manner, you are making them feel like they are important to you. That means they will be less likely to engage in negative behaviors to get your attention.

To sooth a colicky baby try some skin on skin contact. If you are breastfeeding you can place them against your stomach and offer them some food. You may find that talking to them in a soothing voice or singing a lullaby may stop the tears. You should always stay calm when dealing with an infant, if you find that you are becoming frustrated, take a break by handing your baby to a spouse or other trusted family member.

Talk to your kids and listen when they talk to you. Welcome dialogue about uncomfortable topics as this will help you get to understand your children and their needs better! The tips above will help you become a better parent so your kid can be the best kid he or she can be!

Guidelines For Parents was originally published on Spring