Good parenting requires a well-equipped toolbox of knowledge and experience. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to obtain this knowledge and experience after the fact. In other words, we aren’t always equipped to make the best decisions as parents just because we are parents. With dedication, however, this shortcoming can be addressed. This article will help you to make better decisions.
Make sure you’re teaching by example. Your child is much more apt to learn behaviors when you exhibit these behaviors. It’s been proven that children learn by mimicking those around them. So if you’re telling your kids not to yell in the house and you’re doing it, they’re more likely to follow what you do than what you say.
Time outs can be an effective form of discipline for your children. Time outs give the child an opportunity to think about what they have done. They also give everyone a little “cooling off” period before problems can escalate. Give your child one minute of time out for every year old they are.
When training your child to use the potty, buy them underwear with their favorite cartoon character on it. Children always do better with encouragement. By letting them wear these kind of underwear, they will feel better about using the potty because they do not want to have an accident in their “special” underwear.
Be wary about introducing pacifiers to your breastfeed baby. Pacifiers are designed to take care of a baby’s need to suck, however the reason a baby needs to suck is because that is how they breastfeed. If they can satisfy their need to suck elsewhere it will hurt your breastfeeding relationship. Limit pacifiers for at least the first 6 weeks.
When learning to discipline your child, do not make threats that you will not go through with. For instance, if your child throws his toy, do not say you are going to throw the toy away, if you are not going to do it. If your child knows you will not really do something, there is really, no need to listen.
If your child must take a liquid medication, ask your pharmacist for dosing spoons, bulbs, or oral syringes instead of using kitchen spoons or measuring cups. Standard kitchen measurements can hold as much as three times the amount of a dosing implement, increasing the risk of overdose, stomach upset, or wasted medication.
Although most medication labeling states dosages according to age in years, you should consult your pediatrician if your child falls within those age ranges but is significantly heavier or lighter than other kids his or her age. Children metabolize certain medications much differently than adults, and dosing based on weight is more likely to deliver a therapeutic amount of the active ingredient.
A great parenting tip is to not try and fill your child’s head with your own opinions and beliefs all the time. It is understandable that you want the best for your child, but you have no right to tell them how they should think or feel about everything.
If you find that your baby’s diaper tends to leak over night and during naps, consider investing in a bag of diapers that is a size too big for her. It will absorb more liquid and keep you from having to lose more sleep than what you already do by not having to change the sheets and pajamas.
Check toys for safety before allowing your toddler to play with them. Look for things like long cords, sharp edges, lead paint or parts small enough to swallow. This is especially important if you have older children in your home. Toys appropriate for a school-age child can be dangerous to a toddler.
Get down to your child’s eye level. A child respects a parent who looks them in the eye when they are talking. A child appreciates a parent who will get down on the floor and play with them. If your child is always physically looking up to you then you’re missing something in your parenting style.
Allow a child to start showing independence at an early age. When they are old enough to put away their own toys and clear their own plates from the table then let them. They will never learn the importance of doing things on their own if you do everything for them.
How to cope with negative peer pressure? A significant issue for many parents with children starting school is how to deal with negative peer pressure. Ideally, a balanced picture of self worth or self esteem can fend off peer pressure for your little one. Unfortunately, sometimes situations may arise that require more immediate solutions. In these cases, if the parent or child is unsure how to resolve the situation, there are hotlines available to give advice that are accessible 24 hours a day.
Learning to be a good parent can occur in a number of formats. The best way to learn, of course, is through example. The tips you have reviewed above reflect the experience of those that have already been down the path of parenting. You now have the opportunity to benefit from their knowledge.
Parenting: Advice For Parents Who Want To Succeed was originally published on Spring