The day your child was born was probably one of the best days you can remember. The mother and child connection is one of the strongest human bonds we can experience. Use the following tips to maintain the strength of that connection, so that you have a good relationship with him or her well into his or her adult years.
Think about what you’re teaching your child. You will want to gain the trust of your children.
Clear off a space on the kitchen counter, lay your child back on a rolled towel, and run water from the faucet over the hair and scalp. Over time, this may make a toddler more receptive to the idea of being submerged or doused with water.
Do your best to have your children eat and go to bed at the same time while traveling. Travel is stressful for small children, especially infants. The bedtime rituals especially will help your child feel more comfortable in the new space and allow him/her (and you) to get enough sleep!
Although it is important to spend time with your kids, it is also important to take time for yourself. This helps you to maintain your strength as an individual, which will make you a better parent.
A young child should never drink soda. Give your baby nutritious beverages, like milk and sugar-free juices; water is also important for proper hydration.
A little “me time” away from the company of your kids can be really important. Find a friend or relative who can care for your children for an hour or two. When you don’t get a little time off from the kids, you can become stressed and, in turn, stress the entire family.
Don’t smoke indoors if children live in the house. You should even think about completely quitting smoking. Secondhand smoke affects health just as much as firsthand. Second-hand smoke exposure can lead to asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems for children.
Every child is unique. Specific actions you take may yield results in one child, but get an opposite response from another child. This includes both punishments and rewards. Regardless, keep in mind the techniques that were effective in the past.
Making it clear that you expect your children to use positive words and communication, while leading by example helps your children to deal with the inevitable sibling issues. For instance, instead of saying “no hitting” as a rule, you can reposition it as “always be gentle when touching”.
If you are traveling long distances in a car with young children, you must be sure to stop often to keep the kids from getting bored and cranky. Although people may want to reach a destination quickly, children will be easier to deal with when they can run off steam. Keep your eyes peeled for restaurants that have playgrounds, parks, and nice open fields where your kids can take a break and burn off a little unneeded energy.
To be a successful parent you should be as close as you can with your child. Having an open line of communication now will make it much easier to parent your child after they become a teenager. Utilize some of the ideas provided in this document to establish a relationship with your child, or strengthen the existing relationship.