The challenges of raising children change on a daily basis and sometimes on an hourly basis. Whether your child is a toddler or a teenager, they do not come with an instruction manual. This parentings article provides some real-life tips to help you navigate through the obstacle course parenthood can be sometimes.
Expecting parents shouldn’t spend lots of money on nursery equipment. Instead of shopping designer brands, seek out quality, affordable products from your local department store. Also, consider asking friends and family members with children if they have old baby items that they no longer need.
Stop and consider the words you use with your child, and what they mean. You want your children to know you can be trusted.
Feel free to breastfeed your baby for comfort. Many believe that breastfeeding for comfort will make the baby associate food with emotional comfort. Offering the breast actually encourages your baby to turn to you instead of things for support. The breastfeeding is just one component of the bond that helps your baby feel better. This will provide crucial emotional security and stability as they develop.
Try to avoid giving children “I told you so answers.” Although in some specific cases this may be necessary there is generally a better way. It is very important for children to understand why they should not do anything because this allows them to grow as a person and to learn how to make their own good decisions.
Consistency is essential when parenting children. Children need to know what is expected of them every time. If you are not consistent with your expectations, it could cause your child to get confused and not know what it expected of them. Keeping expectations constant makes life easier for both the parent and the child.
A great parenting tip is to ask your child to help out with cleaning. They’ll start to develop an appreciation for cleaning and they’ll also have an opportunity to bond with you. Try making cleaning fun as opposed to a dreaded chore that no one ever wants to do.
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.
For toddlers who are picky about their meals, add vegetables that have a strong flavor. Adding a cup of finely shredded carrots to spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce is undetectable, as is mixing yogurt into mashed potatoes. Both methods get your toddler much needed vitamins and nutrients without them even knowing it.
Encourage your child to drink lots of water. Sugary sodas, juices with hidden sugar and even sugar-free drinks add either extra calories or unhealthy artificial sweeteners to his diet. Drinking water will keep a child well-hydrated and help to maintain a healthy digestive system. If they want something that tastes good, try mixing a little fruit juice with the water.
Choose your battles with your children. It is important to allow them to have some control over their environment, in order to reduce their frustration and allow them to develop independence. However, your children do need some rules, particularly in situations that affect their safety. Think about whether it is worth a fight or not before you argue with them.
While this baby-care article still does not provide you with an instruction manual for raising your children, try some of the suggestions to help make parenting easier. Every child is different and every age presents different challenges, but these tips can help you through problem areas or challenges with a different perspective.
*
Be the first to comment.