parenting

Though we all worry about spoiling our child, rest assured that you cannot spoil your child with love. Love doesn't spoil children. Love is imperative to a child's healthy development, and it's just not possible to love your child too much. They need caring adults to spend ... fear our children, and there should be no need to instill a sense of fear in our children in order to get them to comply.

Toddlers can be fussy eaters who refuses to try a new food at least half of the time. Approximately half of all toddlers fit this description, so it is no wonder that food issues are a source of stress for parents. Establishing healthy eating patterns is important ... good example by trying a wide variety of foods yourself. You may discover you and your toddler share a new found favorite food!

Disciplining a young child using the time out method can be very effective, and will work with children as young as 18-24 months old. By using this method of discipline parents are giving the child time to sit quietly and alone after misbehaving, without becoming angry or ... If you don't, they'll get the message early on that you're inconsistent and will be more likely to test your boundaries.

"Moooooooooooom!" It's irritating, it's frustrating and it gets on your last nerve. Though it's obnoxious and unacceptable, it's actually an effective for your child to get your attention. It's whining. But, like other bad habits, you can ... at a time like this. Your pediatrician can also suggest alternatives to curb whining should the positive attention and disciplinary actions be ineffective.

Honesty and dishonesty are learned in the home. Parents are often concerned when their child or adolescent lies. Young children often make up stories and tell tall tales. This is normal activity because they enjoy hearing stories and making up stories for fun. ... of lying should be cause for concern. Consult a professional adolescent or child psychologist to find out whether help is needed.

It has been shown many times over in research studies that a parent who is involved in their child's education has a positive impact. It's reflected in improved grades and test scores, strong attendance, a higher rate of homework completion, higher graduation rates, ... , make sure your teacher knows your open for suggestions as how to better assist them in the homework and study process at home.

Disciplining a child is one of the most important, yet difficult, roles of being a parent. Effective discipline teaches a child to be self-disciplined later in life. It helps your child grow up to be happy and well-adjusted. Effective and positive ... or sad, try to understand why. Teach your child good behavior by setting a good example and behaving properly and appropriately yourself.

The world is a far more scary and complicated place than it was when you were a child. As a result, it's imperative that you set adequate yet fair boundaries with your child. It's a very important role in your parenting responsibilities. Children must make ... need to argue with your child. Be firm and consistent and they are less likely to challenge the rules and will accept the consequences.

Regular schedules provide the day with a structure that orders a young child's world. Although predictability can be tiresome for adults, children thrive on repetition and routine. Schedules begin from the first days of life. Babies, especially, need regular sleep and meal ... such unexpected events and show them that though it can happen from time to time, the routine will return the next day.

Recent studies have shown that not only do children like to sit down at the dinner table and eat a meal with their parents, but they are more likely to eat a well-balanced, nutritious meal when they do. But with the hectic lives we seem to lead these days, ... chores. This shows them you're interested and that you care and want to be and involved and important part of their every day life.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." That's just not true. Name-calling hurts -- especially when the person doing it is a parent, a teacher, or a coach. Yelling and screaming might have been the way you were brought up and you ... tenderness. If you exhibit these to your child on a daily basis, they will learn what they live and grow to do the same as adults.

One of the most important things you can teach your child is respect and the best way to teach respect is to show respect. When a child experiences respect, they know what it feels like and begin to understand how important it is. Keep in mind the saying "Do unto ... , and tell them you love them at least several times each day. You're sure to raise a child capable of giving and gaining respect.

In order to teach or child to treat others with respect and dignity, they must also be treated that way. And childhood is a time for children to learn about the world, including how to get along with others. Parents play an essential role in teaching children how to form ... . One way to teach fairness is to explain a rule to your child, pointing out that it applies to him as well as to others.

The majority of toddlers engage in some biting between their first and third birthdays. Probably the most common reason is that it is one of the few ways of communicating that's effective for them, before verbal skills are developed. However, not all children bite. Some ... see repeated. Firmly tell the child again that there is no biting allowed, that it is wrong, and that it hurts people.

Even the best behaved toddler has an occasional temper tantrum. A tantrum can range from whining and crying to screaming, kicking, hitting, and breath holding. They're equally common in boys and girls and usually occur from age 1 to age 3. Some children may experience ... them that acting appropriately makes mommy and daddy happy and proud, and they'll be anxious to do it again and again. .

One of the most frustrating challenges we face as parents is communicating effectively with our child. Though we strive to open an honest two-way line of communication with our child, we become frustrated when it appears their attention isn't solely ... judge the improvement in their communications. The best way to ensure healthy communication patterns is to model positive communication skills.

Accidents in the home are the primary cause of death in U.S. children. By taking a few simple precautions, these injuries can be avoided, making your home safe for your child and the children who visit it. In your kitchen, you should be sure to ... for other potential hazards and address them immediately. With these precautions and some common sense, your household will be your child's haven.

In our effort to balance very full and hectic lives with our families and our jobs, we may have been neglecting an all-important facet of our child's life: their emotional well-being. The first three years of a child's life is a critical time for a child, and ... is just as important as their physical, so do your part to ensure your child knows he's growing up safe, secure, treasured and loved.

Your child's showing all the signs of being ready to potty train. That's great! But now, where do you start? Explain to your toddler that going potty is a normal process of life and everyone does it, even animals. Talk with them about the toilet ... using the potty, and encourage and praise each attempt they make. With consistency, encouragement and praise, they'll soon be completely trained.

Disciplining your child is never easy. You probably know from experience and mistakes how important it is to be consistent, firm and to always follow through with designated disciplinary consequences. But when there are two parents involved, it's crucial they ... should always present a unified front and work together and not against each other in providing effective discipline for their child.

Praising a child correctly is important to the development of positive behaviors. It's a great way to encourage constructive future behavior. When you give praise you are giving your child a feeling of positive feedback, which increases their sense of confidence, self esteem and ... traits daily. You'll be building a strong sense of self in your child and you'll grow closer as a result.

Children always seem to find a way to 'push our buttons' at times and really try our patience. It's easy to feel irritated, sad, angry, annoyed, confused and hurt. It's at these times when our parenting skills are really tested, and that it's ... and child. But with a little forethought, patience, firmness, love and understanding, the discipline can have a positive outcome for all involved.

Effective discipline does not involve physical punishment of children. Recent studies have shown a direct link between physical punishment and several negative developmental outcomes for children including physical injury, increased aggression, antisocial behavior, difficulty ... seek professional help and ensure their children are taken to a safe environment to avoid harming them further.

We watch our children grow right before our very eyes. It seems like yesterday they were a baby learning to crawl, walk, and feed themselves, and now they're in school, involved in activities, making friends, and learning to be more and more independent. ... parenting skills. Keep your eyes and ears open and communicate honestly and openly with your child, and you'll both mature gracefully.

We all know as parents that discussing and negotiating the rules with our children is never easy. Children are all very different, and what might need to be a rule for one, may not even be an issue for another. That being said, there are many ... because your teenager seems genuinely sorry and promises never to do it again. Consequences should be consistent, fair, and always followed through.

In today's busy world, work, household chores and social activities all put a strain on your time with your child. But as you well know, it's imperative that you spend quality time together. It helps strengthen the bond between parent and child, and lets your child ... take a shopping excursion together, have a scheduled night each week for a sit-down dinner together, or make a trip to the park.

Everyone makes mistakes. Granted, some mistakes are more significant than others and harder to get over, but they are a part of life. How individuals deal with those mistakes is significant to their self-esteem. Children who are taught from an early age to admit to ... a positive plan for the next time around, and what they'll do differently the next time to avoid making the same mistake again.

Trying to teach your child not to interrupt can sometimes be an exercise in frustration. Telling them there's a time to interrupt (in case of a fire) and a time to not interrupt (boredom) isn't enough. But putting these principles into practice is ... strong influence on your child, so be a good example and ask permission to speak before speaking, and apologize when you inadvertently interrupt.

Recent studies suggest that low-income parents tend to endorse much harsher discipline, partially because they hold stronger beliefs about the value of spanking and experience higher levels of stress. However, parents who work in high-stress jobs or are stay ... of themselves physically, mentally and emotionally so they can optimally provide for their child's physical and emotional well-being.

Some parents may worry that setting strict rules may distance them from their children. But this simply isn't the case. Though they may gripe and complain and get upset when you become the enforcer, they realize deep down that this shows you care. ... you are consistent and follow through with a defined disciplinary action after each infraction, and that your child understands the reasons why.

It's probably no secret that children who have involved parents are more happy, healthy, and well-adjusted and excel at their educational and extracurricular pursuits. It can increase their cognitive development, keeps them motivated, strengthens the parent-child relationship, and ... . You benefit by connecting with and staying connected to your child. It's a win-win situation for you both.

Let's face it. There are just some days when it would just seem easier to let your child have his way than feeling like you're fighting a losing battle when trying to discipline them. They beg, plead, cry, barter and scream - anything to get ... anymore and develop a new parameter, be sure all adult caregivers are brought into the loop so that follow through remains consistent and clear.

Expect the best from your child. If you expect the best behavior and performance you're your child, it's often what you will get. Children pick up on our beliefs about them, form a self-concept that matches that belief, and perform accordingly. If we expect ... foster cooperation and a sense of accomplishment. If you have great expectations of your child, you'll be greatly pleased in the end.

We've all heard the term, "Oh, that's child's play." It implies something is easy, frivolous and unimportant in the overall scheme of things. But to a child, child's play is essential to their mental, social, emotional, and physical development. We all know that ... of the living room and go camping! And as we all know, childhood is fleeting, so let them enjoy being a kid while they are one!

It's imperative for a child's healthy development to feel important and worthy. Healthy self-esteem is a child's armor against the challenges of the world. Kids who feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures ... , your child is sure to develop a strong sense of self importance, value and worth which will carry into their adult years.

Children learn to imitate at a very young age. It's how they learn to behave, care for themselves, develop new skills, and communicate with others. From their earliest moments they watch you closely and pattern their own behavior and beliefs after yours. Your examples become ... . So make sure that what you say and do around your child will help build a strong sense of security and self esteem.

Anger can be a paralyzing and debilitating condition. But it can be a terrifying and degrading experience for your child if you're taking your anger out on them. Physical and verbal abuse of a child can have lasting and lethal implications, so it's crucial that ... do whatever you have to in order to get a grip on yourself before addressing the situation if you feel your anger coming on strong.

Your child's self esteem is their mental foundation. A self-assured child is confident, secure, happy, well-adjusted and successful. They can solve problems that come their way, and it thrives under a loving parent's nurturing care. What are some good ways to built ... hectic week, take the time to talk about things during the drive to school or while they are helping you put the groceries away.

Consistency is key to successfully teaching your child right from wrong when disciplining them. It keeps small misdeeds and bad behaviors from later becoming bigger misdeeds and worse behaviors. You have to stand firm and mean it when you say, "Turn off the ... standing firm you are showing there is not and that you expect them to do nothing less than take responsibility for their actions.

We all want to connect and be involved with our child. Children of involved parents generally feel more confident, assured and have a higher level of self esteem. They excel in school and do well in extracurricular activities and with their hobbies. But is there ... an important part of growing up and allowing a child to figure his own way through things is an integral part of that process.

Sometimes it can be very challenging to communicate anything with your child. Setting clear expectations regarding what's acceptable behavior and what isn't imperative to successfully teaching your child right from wrong. If the parameters are muddled or the child learns that ... for their well-being, health, safety, and enable them to grow into a mature person capable of making wise decisions.

Chores can help develop a sense of responsibility and self worth in your child. It should be understood by all family members they are expected and necessary to a household running successfully and efficiently. They can help create a sense of unity and ... child wants to discuss their thoughts or express their opinions about chores. Make sure the conversation stays positive and on target.

It can be very frustrating to ask your child over and over again to complete their chores without them ever getting done. If this describes your house to a tee, consider designing a chore chart. Chores might include taking out the garbage, doing the dishes, cleaning their room ... d like. Regardless of the method you choose, keep in mind this can be a valuable tool for both you and your child.

Just like a snowflake or a fingerprint, every child is unique in their own special way. Every child has a unique way of feeling, thinking, and interacting with others. Some children are shy, while others are outgoing; some are active, while others are calm; ... your child that mistakes can be a great learning experience, and that they should not be ashamed or embarrassed about making them. .

It's often been said that children learn what they live. So if you're looking for a place to start helping your child build positive self esteem and self value, then you should show them your positive sense of self and strong self esteem. Be positive when you speak about ... even send them a card in the mail. Soon, they'll learn to say "I love you" just as easily and honestly in return.

Communicating with our children can be a difficult task at times. We feel like they're not listening to us; they feel like we're not listening to them. Good listening and communications skills are essential to successful parenting. Your child's feelings, views and opinions ... we want to help and we have similar experiences of our own that they can draw from. Remember, respond - don't react.

Usually there is very little or no information known to most of the parents at the time of the arrival of their first baby. There are many new questions that come to the mind of the parents of a newly born baby like how to handle their babies first ... child's progress depends on his or her stage of development, your potty training knowledge, and the potty training products you have available.

Baby furniture will bring a quality to the home that reminds everyone who enters just how precious life can be. Seeing the joy on the faces of the parents is almost as beautiful. Parents and family spend so much money and time organizing children's bedrooms ... most important thing to remember when looking for furniture or toys for your baby is safety. A knowledgeable parent is a better parent.

* Diapers: Most babies that are fed using the PDF method usually need a diaper change at each feeding time. This means that your baby will need about 6-8 diapers a day or more. Many new parents time the diaper changes with the after dinner bowel movement ... reject the contents of the stomach and not just burping up a little milk. If your baby does this frequently, consult your pediatrician.

If you baby is not napping well during her first few months of life, you may want to try to cut back on the time she is awake by 15 minute increments. If she is getting overstimulated, then she will fight sleep and be difficult to get to nap. The way to prevent ... . Fix the problem and encourage her to go back to sleep. Babies that have enough rest wake up happy, talking, and in a good mood.