You will need to set aside some time for the family if you want to keep the family dynamic strong. You won’t necessarily have to break out the board games and sing songs together. You can watch a movie or just talk instead. Even an amusement park is okay for family time. What’s important is that you’re spending time together.
Take advantage of your child’s school’s computer records to keep up with your child’s daily progress. Most school systems today have computerized tracking of grades and assignments. Get the access code to that system and use it on a daily basis to make sure nothing slips up on you when report cards come out.
Limit the amount of television that your children watch. The more time they spend in front of the television, the less time they are spending engaging in imaginative play, creative games and other activities that build their social and life skills. They are also more likely to be exposed to violent imagery through the television than when they are doing other activities.
While in times of frustration you may want to tell your kids the tried-and-true line “because I said so,” it can be very helpful to both your child and your relationship with your child to explain why you have certain rules. Encouraging an inquisitive nature and explaining your rationale for parental direction, can provide your child with a better understanding of right and wrong. It also will show them just how much you really care for their well being.
If your child has a hard time settling down for bed, try white noise. You can use a dedicated white noise machine, a radio tuned to static, or even apps from your mp3 player or cell phone to create soothing background noise. Playing a relaxing song or CD on loop can also put your child to sleep.
An important tip to consider in terms of parenting is to make sure that you are always working with your spouse and not against them to raise your children. You need each other’s support and working together will reflect on your child’s development. A good relationship with your spouse will help to provide a healthy home environment.
Being a parent of a teen isn’t easy, but to make it a little easier, you probably should get to know who their friends are. Invite them over for dinner, and get a feel for the type of people they are. It’s better to get to know their friends and make the effort rather than just flat out refusing them, “just because.”
Help your child decide what to keep and what to donate. It is easy for a child to get overwhelmed with possessions. Too often the consequence is disorganization and sloppiness. While a parent should never arbitrarily throw away a child’s possessions, it is constructive for them to work with the child teaching them how to keep those possessions from overflowing their room.
When your children first start getting homework, help them have a comfortable, well-lit space near enough to ask for help if they need it. Make sure to check in often and see that the work is actually getting done, and offer positive reinforcement for all homework that gets done.
A great parenting tip is to always utilize disciplinary techniques as a way of shielding your child from harm instead of using them as punitive tools that may harm self-esteem. In this way, you will also be able to instruct your child in the things they ought to be doing instead of dwelling on what they should not.
Good parenting skills are not something we are born with. More importantly, they are not something that we always have when we bring a child into this world. Good parenting skills are learned through example. They are also learned through practice. The tips outlined above will start you on your way.
Information provided by Callen Ltd, London Based Nanny Agency. Caleen Ltd – nanny service