How You Can Be A Better Parent

While teens want to be independent, they should know what rules they need to follow and what the repercussions of not following them will be when they exert that independence. When there are clear guidelines set up ahead of time, everybody knows what is expected. This way, nothing comes as a surprise, and nobody can use the "that's not fair' card.

Your child's love map will be created when he or she is still young, so if you're a single parent, it is important that you keep a stable and steady household. Allowing your child to see multiple lovers and sporadic, broken relationships will really affect the child in ways you cannot possibly imagine.

Even though you may get tired of your mother's advice, you should always listen to what she says. Remember that she has, at the very least, raised you so she does have some previous experience. Also know when it is time to tell your relatives to back off a little. Advice is welcome, commands shouldn't be.

It is important that you properly discipline your toddler when they bite you or someone else. Letting them get away with biting will just make them think it is okay. To show your toddler that you mean business, firmly tell them they cannot bite or take away their favorite toy.

Take your children grocery shopping and let them help with meal planning and creating the shopping list. This is a great opportunity to teach them about budgeting in the area of food. As they learn to compare prices, get good deals, and use coupons, they will be gaining skills they will use for a lifetime.

If you have a toddler who is throwing a tantrum, make a "safety fort" out of a blanket or towel thrown over a chair. Many times, toddler tantrums are related to over-stimulation, and removing the stimulation by blocking it out can help. It provides your toddler with a safe space in which they can regroup and calm down.

Be aware that labeling your child can have detrimental effects, even if the labels are positive, such as "our smart one." Children may feel pigeonholed into certain roles or feel like failures if they do not live up to their labels. It is better to praise or address specific behaviors.

Taking your little one for a walk after dinner is a great way to tire them out for the night. After a day of fun you would think your little one would be exhausted, but on the contrary, they seem to get a boost of energy right before bedtime. Help them expend this last bit of energy by a quick walk around the block, pick up acorns and make it an adventure. This should help bedtime go smoother.

Never be afraid to ask your parents for advice when you need to deal with your own children. Whether you're looking forward to gathering some information about how to put a baby to sleep, or inquiring about some teenager-specific info to defuse a situation, your parents dealt with these things with you, as theirs did with them, and so on, and so on.

It is important to make lasting memories with your children. You want your children to be able to look back at their childhood and have fond memories. Making gingerbread men, playing baseball in the backyard or doing art and craft projects together is a great way to build lasting memories.

An easy way to build a good relationship with your child is to appreciate the simple things that he does. This can be done by displaying his or her artwork (such as schoolwork) on prominent places such as refrigerator doors. This will make the child feel wanted and appreciated at the same time.

By focusing on goals and breaking them down into specific steps, we can accomplish what may initially seem to be the impossible. Sometimes that is something as simple as teaching a toddler to tie their shoes. Other times it might be as complex as comforting our grieving teen when they have broken up with their boyfriend.

This writer has long been in the area of family and relationships and into teaching toddlers to read for some time and made a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG4BGmn87j4 where you may find solutions to the rest of your important questions.