| Raising children is a confusing business. | | | | you. |
| There are times when any parent or caregiver | | | | |
| can use additional parenting advice. There | | | | One popular mistake parents make is asking |
| are many books available to parents to help | | | | instead of telling. The way you phrase your |
| get through the day-to-day issues. | | | | words determines whether your children see |
| | | | your request as optional or required. Take |
| Every child is different, and every parent is | | | | away all wishy-washy phrases from your |
| different, too. Because of this, there are no | | | | vocabulary. When you want your child to do |
| cookie-cutter solutions that will work for | | | | something or stop doing something, make a |
| everyone. The best suggestion is for you to | | | | clear and specific statement that leaves no |
| review all the solutions you discover and | | | | room for confusion. |
| take a few quiet minutes to think about them. | | | | |
| Modify the suggestions to best suit your | | | | Many parents start out on the right track, |
| family, and don't be afraid to try out more | | | | but are derailed by an incredibly persistent |
| than one until you discover the best answer. | | | | child. It seems that when children couple |
| | | | their youthful energy with an extraordinary |
| Here are some tips: | | | | ability to pinpoint their parent's weak |
| | | | spots, the result is usually disaster. |
| 1) Tell your children that you love them. | | | | |
| Don't just show it by buying them things. | | | | If you are doing your job as a parent, there |
| Verbalize it and show them by hugging them. | | | | are many times when your decisions will not |
| | | | be popular with your kids. When your child is |
| 2) Be involved in your children's lives - go | | | | nagging, whining and pleading with you, it is |
| to their concerts, games, and plays. This | | | | a sure sign that you have made the right |
| should be your highest priority. | | | | decision. It is also a sign that you need to |
| | | | disengage from your youngster and teach him |
| 3) Involve your children in family decisions. | | | | you will not be easily swayed by his |
| | | | persistence. |
| 4) Do not ever say "Because I said so" or | | | | |
| "Because I am the parent". Instead always | | | | Your most important goal as a parent is not |
| rationally explain your reasons for making a | | | | to make your children happy on a short-term |
| decision. Not only will children then | | | | basis. It is to raise capable and responsible |
| understand and comply easier, but it will | | | | human beings. There are many times when your |
| help them to develop their own reasoning | | | | children will be unhappy with your decisions. |
| skills. | | | | |
| | | | Today there are more parents than any other |
| 5) Actively participate with your children in | | | | generation of parents in history. There is an |
| activities outside of the home. | | | | incredible amount of information and |
| | | | knowledge about parenting advice you can get |
| Do not hesitate to share the ups and downs of | | | | from friends, books, and the internet. Take |
| parenting with another parent. You may be | | | | advantage of this information. Read and take |
| surprised to find that they are experiencing | | | | note. And be confident in your actions. |
| some of the same joys and frustrations as | | | | |