Parenting is both a challenging and a rewarding aspect of life. The tips that follow are designed to minimize the challenges and increase the rewards. By following through with them, you are certain to increase your parenting skills and create a better relationship with your children.

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!

Show physical affection for your child. Human beings naturally crave touch. Whether it’s a hug or a kiss or just a simple pat on the head, touch can be a great way to connect with and show affection for your child. Touch is especially important when they’re sick or feeling sad, since it will comfort them.

Make sure you don’t overload your child with work. Too many parents keep piling work onto young children and they overload them. Make sure your child has time to play and just relax. It’s important to balance work and play, especially when your child is just starting school. It’s too easy to ask too much of them at once.

All you need is a clear kitchen counter and a rolled-up towel. Put the towel on the counter and put your child on it so that his head is under the sink faucet. Then turn on the faucet to run water over his hair. For many young toddlers, this will take away the fear that can come from dunking their heads in the water.

Are you frustrated by a messy playroom day after day? Make cleaning up a game and ask your children to join in. Sing a song or dance around as you clean. Challenge everyone to pick up at least five toys. Doing this will motivate your children to help and make cleaning up a little more fun for all.

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.

Avoid arguing with your spouse in front of your children or their friends. It is important that the two of you show a united front, even if everything is not pure bliss on the marriage front. This does not mean you must act like the perfect couple, just that you are united in cases regarding children.

When you find yourself torn between spending time with your child and keeping the house immaculate, let the chores go to some extent. Your kids will remember fun times and making happy memories with you, but they will not remember that the kitchen wasn’t spotless or that you didn’t vacuum daily.

Adapt your parenting style to your child’s age and needs. One form of discipline might be very effective for a two year old, but not for a five year old. One teaching style might work well for your oldest son, but not your youngest. Adapting your style offers a child the individual and changing approach they need. It will help you to see parenting success for a longer period of time.

If you find out that your child is being bullied at school, it is important that you remain calm in front of them. Comforting them and letting them know how special they are to you can help ease the embarrassment and emotional pain that the bully has caused your child.

Take advantage of your child’s school’s computer records to keep up with your child’s daily progress. Most school systems today have computerized tracking of grades and assignments. Get the access code to that system and use it on a daily basis to make sure nothing slips up on you when report cards come out.

Developing a calming bedtime routine is one of the most important parenting skills you need to make sure that your children get the sleep they need to be their best every day. Routines can include a warm bath, a healthy light snack and a soothing bedtime story. Gentle hugs and kisses will send them off to dreamland.

Time out is a discipline strategy that should be used consistently. If a family decides to use time out for discipline they need to make sure that everyone that is around the child is working on the same page. Parents, grandparents and babysitters need to use the same strategy so that a child knows what is expected.

The suggestions given here are sure to help you develop better parenting skills, and help you to have the relationship with your children that you desire. You have already made the crucial choice to prioritize the relationship between you and your children. This choice will pay off for years to come.

Tips For Easier Days Parenting Your Children was originally published on Spring