Allow your toddler to help you around the house as you clean, fold laundry, mix dough, or perform other tasks. Your child loves to mimic your actions and learns while doing so, and you get to spend some quality time together while performing chores that need to be done anyway.
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.
For a toddler who hates having her hair washed, try mimicking a salon visit in your own house. Allow her to lay back on the kitchen or bathroom counter with a towel under her neck for support, and wash her hair in the sink. Give her a soothing scalp massage and talk to her in a silly voice to make the experience less scary.
While teens are gaining their independence, they should also learn that it’s important that they still need to check in with their parents. Just a quick call is all it takes to say that all is good. This shows responsibility on the teen’s part and on the parent’s part, as well.
To cultivate positive attitudes toward food in your children, model good behaviors yourself. When they see you eating healthily, being comfortable in your skin, and eating regular meals, they will internalize those habits themselves. On the other hand, constantly eating on the run or skipping meals will set a bad example.
Sweets and other high-calorie foods should only be given in moderation and only for rewards, not for everyday snacks. You can teach your children to snack healthy by making sure you only give them things like apples, raisins, granola bars, etc. Giving them candy will make them continue to want the candy.
When you need to discipline your child, try to do it in private. If you scold him/her in front of others, it will embarrass your child and he/she will resent you for it. It also will not help your child make changes to improve his/her behavior. Help your child maintain his/her dignity, even while being disciplined.
If bath time is a struggle for you as a parent with your child, try the salon approach. Ask your child to lie down horizontally on the counter, with just their head over the sink. Roll a towel under their neck for comfort, and treat your shampooing like a head massage.
You are likely to get very little thanks and appreciation from your child when you set boundaries for them, but you can take comfort in the knowledge that it is in their best interest. You are going to raise a child that knows that life is not all about doing what they want all the time.
Teach your young child how to organize by providing specific places for him to put away his things. Toys and art supplies can end up all over the house if your child does not know where something should go. If you show him the proper way to put things away, he can put away some of his things himself after he plays with them.
Install a latch on your toilet lid. Although it seems like a small amount of water, the water in your toilet bowl is enough for a child to drown in. A top-heavy toddler can easily peer into the bowl and tip over and not be able to get out. Keep the lid down and remind any guests to use the latch as well.
Give children control over some areas of their life. Children need boundaries and guidance, but being too strict and rigid in every area can leave them feeling crushed and stifled. Give them the chance to make some choices on their own, such as what they wear for the day, or how they organize their room.
Make sure you are communicating with your child frequently. Good communication involves talking and listening; when you engage in these two skills with your child, it helps develop trust and respect between the two of you. When they are very young, talking also encourages language development, which opens the door to begin engaging in a variety of educational tasks.
The great suggestions above will give you a terrific start on tweaking your parenting skills and will help you find some great answers to your questions. It is always helpful to look at the challenges of parenting with new eyes so that you can give your best in every situation.
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