10 Parenting Tips

Here are some short overviews of advice about parenting that can make a real difference to your child and to you. You will find:

• 10 Parenting Tips For Raising Your Baby
• 10 Parenting Tips For Raising Your Toddler
• 10 Parenting Tips For Raising Your Young Child
• 10 Parenting Tips For Raising Teens

10 Parenting Tips For Raising Your Baby

1. Trust your instincts as a new mom. Be loving and sensitive to your baby’s needs. Babies who are held, rocked, talked to and smiled at grow up to be strong and competent in difficult situations.
2. Soothe a crying baby. There are many strategies that can help calm a fussy baby. Experiment to see which works for your child.
3. Be patient about the idea of getting your baby on a schedule or sleeping all night. By 3 or 4 months, a baby's internal rhythms emerge more clearly and you can develop more of a routine.
4. Feed your baby when she is hungry--not on a schedule. Newborn babies have small tummies and need to be fed every two hours. She will let you know when she is hungry!
5. Babies (usually!) sleep a lot. Be sure your baby is helped to sleep by putting him down for naps when he needs to sleep and not allowed to be over-stimulated before nap time. Learn other ways you can encourage your baby to sleep.
6. Talk, read, and sing to your baby. Good communication with your baby will create a great start for effective learning later in life.
7. Learn all you can about keeping your baby safe in every situation.
8. Know what milestones you can expect at various stages of your baby's development. Discuss any concerns with your baby's pediatrician but don't be obsessive about comparing your child with others.
9. Get Dad involved. He may be hesitant about caring for a newborn so encourage him. His parenting style will be different than mom's and this helps baby to develop in new ways.
10. Find a way to get some "mom time" and some rest. If at all possible get some help with housework as well. Your life and body have undergone changes that can have a negative impact if you are not proactive in maintaining your emotional health.

Read on for 10 parenting tips for raising your toddler....

10 Parenting Tips For Raising Toddlers

1. A toddler still needs lots of loving and holding. They are now at a stage of exploring and new adventures yet need to know they can come back to be reassured and safe in your arms. This affirmtion is an important part of any parent child relationship.
2. Crying and temper tantrums are part of toddler life. At this age a child is easily frustrated and finds it difficult to communicate what is wrong. Be patient while trying to understand and help your child express herself. Remain firm about not giving in to every demand or whim. If you feel overwhelmed seek parenting advice from others.
3. A routine or schedule makes your toddler’s life, and your life, easier. Consistency helps a child know what is expected and will help diffuse tantrums. Find a routine that works for you and your child and stick with it.
4. Toddlers are famous for being picky eaters. Their growth has slowed so they may not need as much to eat as you might think. Offer a variety of healthy foods, limit snacks and sweets, and most toddlers will eat enough.
5. This is the age when a child typically moves from a crib to a bed. Expect that there will be some challenges in making this transition. There are many changes in your toddler’s life right now including toilet training, pre-school, and new expectations. Be patient in helping him adjust to the new sleeping arrangement. With all that is going on at this stage you will need to be more organized.
6. Your toddler is learning to talk! Conversation, reading, and singing to your little one will help develop her verbal skills and her readiness for future learning.
7. Safety concerns increase as your child is increasingly mobile and skilled. Keep updated on toy and baby equipment recalls. Baby proof your home. Make sure your child cannot get outdoors without supervision. Know who your child is with at all times.
8. This is a time of rapid development both physically and intellectually. There are lots of good books and web sites that can be of help as you encourage your toddler’s progress. Your pediatrician is an excellent source of advice and guidance.
9. Dad is likely to be more willing to be involved as your child grows and develops. Toddlers can be lots of fun! You will build a strong family relationship as you find ways to share both the joy and responsibility of nurturing your toddler.
10. Find ways to get some "couple time." Your marriage is a priority and should not be compromised by the needs of your child. And remember to take some time for yourself as well.

Read on for 10 parenting tips for raising your young child....

10 Parenting Tips For Raising Young Children

1. As your child matures, he or she continues to need physical expressions of love. Though they may feel they are “too big” to be held, they can (and should) be cuddled, touched and hugged. Let your child know that you love him or her unconditionally.
2. Children at this age experience a constant struggle between the desire for independence and the need for boundaries. Parents can help by teaching respect for others and self control.
3. Your child’s life now includes school, friends, outside activities and more. They need the guidance of their parents to create a balance between family life and other activities.
4. Children will begin to make many of their own choices about what to eat at school, at the homes of friends and at restaurants. Learning about, and developing, healthy eating habits should be a family priority.
5. Your school age child needs to sleep 10 - 11 hours per day. School achievement difficulties are more common among children who do not get enough sleep.
6. Communication becomes even more important. Listen to your child so that he or she will listen to you. The more involvement you have in your child's life, the easier your communication will be.
7. Parents should make conversations about safety issues a top priority. Just a few of the topics to discuss with your child include internet safety, dealing with bullying, drugs, alcohol and sex.
8. As your child gets older you can increasingly discuss family goals and plans together. Go over the next day's schedule at bedtime. Make sure she knows what she will be doing, and what her responsibilities are in each situation. Show respect for your child's ideas and opinions.
9. Dads and daughters and dads and sons can have unique relationships. A little girl admires her father and he will have an influence that can last a lifetime. Young boys want to be “just like dad” and will find ways to live up to what dad models for them.
10. Regular “family time" including family dinners, family outings and family vacations will strengthen the bonds and prepare your child to go out into the world with a strong foundation at home.

Read on for 10 parenting tips for raising your teen....

10 Parenting Tips For Raising Teens

1. Words of love and displays of affection may embarrass your teen. Give them anyway at times when he can receive them—probably not in front of his friends!
2. These are the years when your child needs to establish her own identity and place in the world. Give her some space and some clear guidelines.
3. Friends, and the opinions of those friends, can become everything to a teen. Help him remember the joys of family time and conversation. Reinforce your words of advice with your own “gifts of time.” Be available to your teen.
4. Make the family table a priority. Continue to provide healthy meals and snacks. Be aware of potential eating issues—both overeating and not eating enough. Teens often fall victim to eating disorders as a way of coping with other issues.
5. Teens often stay up late and like to sleep in. Their “body clock” may not match their schedule. Make sure your teen gets 8 or 9 hours of sleep at night in order to do well in school and stay healthy.
6. Have an “open door” policy to keep communication flowing. Don't interrogate your child; be genuinely interested in his or her life. Ask for your teen’s input and opinions on family matters and let them know that input is valuable to you.
7. Be clear about rules and consequences for disobeying those rules. Both parents should agree about guidelines and discipline. Talk to your teen about risky behaviors and the possible outcomes.
8. Help your child plan for his future. Be involved as he crafts a plan for his education, gains work experience and explores relationships. Encourage him to volunteer and to think of others. Teach him about money and how to manage his funds.
9. You are gradually moving from a parent-child relationship to one that is between adults. This is far more difficult for parents than it is for their children. The well-known image of the “helicopter parent”—always hovering—is one to try to avoid as your teen approaches adulthood. She will be grateful!
10. Families are always families as long as the bonds of love are maintained. Things may happen that will stretch you to the limits. Seek counsel, work through the difficulties and be willing to forgive. The ties between parent and child are worth the effort to preserve.

Advice For New Moms

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Advice About Protecting Children




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