It’s 4 a.m. and you wake up to that dreadful noise of your baby crying… again. Are you a new parent that is in some desperate need of great parenting tips? Great! You’ve come to the right place! Read on and discover some excellent tips for surviving those rough days with your baby.

Try to make sure that you never force a child to eat. If it is mealtime and they simply refuse, accept that and offer up nutritious foods when they do become hungry. If a child is truly hungry, he will eat what you put in front of him.

One of the best ways for you to bond with your child is to play with them. Play all sorts of games – board games, sports, pretend games, etc. Enter the child’s world and have fun! This simple bonding technique can have lasting effects into adulthood for your child.

Use your smart phone to help you keep track of your child’s diaper changes and feedings. You can download an application that will keep a record of what you do with your child. This is particularly useful during visits with your pediatrician; they may need to know specific details regarding your child’s routine.

When you reach the boiling point with your children, take the time to try some self-calming techniques to make sure that you don’t do anything hurtful. There are many tools you can use, including breathing deeply, removing yourself from the situation for a few minutes, and redirecting your thoughts in a positive direction.

Reading your child a bed-time story is a great bonding experience at the end of the day. After dinner and bath-time, put your child into his or her pajamas and curl up with a book or two. Laying in bed reading, helps your little one to wind down after a busy day of learning and exploring. Beyond having a love for books, your little one will look forward to bedtime, each night.

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.

Treat your child the way you’d want your parents to treat you. If you hated it when your child screamed at you, your child will, too. Talking in a calm, rational manner is more likely to get you heard than screaming. Show your children how you would like them to behave when they are angry.

Providing plenty of activities is especially important for children who have ADHD or similar behavioral conditions. Children who suffer with ADHD need to be able to expel their extra energy, in order to avoid bad behavior. A trip to the park or a bicycle ride are great ways to get some fresh air and exercise.

For better parenting performance, you should remember that your life as a parent and as a worker are not separate. If your job tends to give you stress, avoid taking that stress out on your children at all costs. When a parenting situation tempts you to be angry or disappointed, keep in mind the other stressful factors in your life that may contribute to your attitude.

If your child is being bullied, talk to them about it. Have family members share their own experiences with bullying and how they handled it, and make sure to support them unconditionally. Also contact the school and see what methods are in place for teachers and staff to help the situation.

Being consistent with your children is absolutely necessary. If you say you will do something, then you must do it. Failing to hold up your end of the deal, even if it is dishing out a punishment, will only teach your children that you don’t follow through, or that they can talk their way out of something.

Teaching your child to take good care of his teeth will set him up for a lifetime of smiles. Regular checkups, sealants to protect the teeth, and proper dental care at home, will keep teeth healthy and cavity-free. Starting good oral care early in life will prevent many problems and potential disease later in life.

Hopefully your new found and useful parenting tips can assist you with being the best parent you possibly can be. Now that you’ve read through all of this helpful advice, it’s a safe bet that someday you’ll be receiving one of those coffee mugs that proudly states, “World’s #1 Parent!”

Parenting Tips And Tricks To Simplify Your Life was originally published on Spring