Parenting is a difficult job but there is good reason for you to be optimistic. Good advice is more readily available than ever. You can try some new strategies and learn from the experiences of others. The tips you will find in this article have stood the test of time, and will give you the feeling that you are not alone in facing those parenting challenges.
Don’t come up with a “one size fits all” idea of discipline. When disciplining your children, realize that they all respond differently to correction. While a time-out might be what one child needs in order to comply, that same method might not work for another. Find what each child responds best to: time-outs, confiscating toys, or extra chores, and then run with that.
If you’re wrong or you’ve made a mistake, make sure your admit it. Everyone makes mistakes and it’s important that your child knows this. If you don’t admit to your mistakes, why should you expect you child to admit to theirs? Children learn by example, so make sure you’re setting a good example for them.
Are you frustrated by a messy playroom day after day? Make cleaning up a game and ask your children to join in. Sing a song or dance around as you clean. Challenge everyone to pick up at least five toys. Doing this will motivate your children to help and make cleaning up a little more fun for all.
Never administer medication to your child for any “off-label” conditions unless the child’s doctor has given you specific written instructions to do so. Children do not always react to medication in the same way adults do. For instance, giving a child Benadryl to help induce sleep might actually have the opposite effect of hyperactivity.
If your child will be walking to his or her school, map out a set path before the first day. If possible, opt for the route that allows for as much space between the edge of the sidewalk and the street. You should also try to avoid, or minimize, the number of times your child will have to walk across the street.
Try to avoid giving children “I told you so answers.” Although in some specific cases this may be necessary there is generally a better way. It is very important for children to understand why they should not do anything because this allows them to grow as a person and to learn how to make their own good decisions.
Remember to reward good behavior with praise and recognition. Children usually hear more reprimands for bad behavior than praise for good behavior and that might become discouraging to them. However, if you praise them for specific good behavior that they have exhibited, their confidence will be lifted, and they will exhibit the good behavior more often.
Whatever your parenting challenges, knowing that you are not alone, and that answers to problems are available, will make you feel heartened that you can be successful as a parent. Even the best parents can make good use of the sound advice found in the article above. Start putting it into practice today, and you will make your job a little easier.