Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

When it comes to good parenting, it is important to acquire positive techniques and skills to conquer the challenges of being a parent. If you fill your parenting toolkit with information and insights into age-appropriate behaviors and methods, you will become a more effective and capable parent.
What Every Expecting Parent Should Know About The Baby
After making a clear space on the counter, cover it with a rolled-up towel. Position your child so that his or her head is over the sink, then run water from your faucet onto the scalp and hair. For many toddlers, this method will take the fear out of having their heads dunked or water poured over them.

Tips For Dealing With Common Parenting Issues Lay your child on the counter in the kitchen and lay a rolled towel under his neck; use the faucet water and put it on his hair and scalp. For many toddlers, this method will take the fear out of having their heads dunked or water poured over them.

Don't smoke at home when you have kids. It's a good idea to give up smoking entirely. You may not realize it, but secondhand smoke can be as bad, if not worse, than firsthand smoke. Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke on a regular basis are at greater risk for developing respiratory illnesses, asthma and cancer.

Parents should avoid trying to persuade their teenagers to go to a certain college. When teenagers feel pressured and controlled, they will often times rebel and do the opposite of what they are supposed to.

Parenting: A Wonderful Experience If Done Right When you will be traveling a far distance from home, stop often if you have kids with you to keep them active and happy. Most people want to get to their destination as quickly as possible. This can be very tempting, but it can lead to a lot of avoidable fussing from children. Stop at parks, restaurants with play areas, or open grassy areas to let your children run off excess energy during the trip.

Remember that even though you're a parent, you have to take care of yourself too. Even just a couple of minutes to recharge your batteries away from the kids can be just what you need as a break. If you are feeling a little better, it will make your children much happier.

When you are a parent, it's really important to take care of yourself. Take a few minutes every day to relax and rejuvenate, no matter what you have going on. You will feel better, and your children will be happier as a result.

Young children naturally want to have independence. Therefore, if you give them things to do around the house, you can help build their confidence. Having your child help you unload a dishwasher is a good idea. If you are working on your laundry, give the little one some socks to sort. These mini-chores will help your child learn independent living skills and help you at the same time.

You can help your children develop good nutrition habits by keeping junk food out of your home. Keeping these items out of the house, and thus out of your child's mind, will make it less likely for them to want the unhealthy foods. Consider these items as special treats that are reserved for certain times of the year, such as Halloween and Christmas.

It's important to lay the emotional groundwork with your children while they are young, so they still want to share with you during the difficult teenage years. Follow the advice you have read to strengthen your relationship with your child, and be the parent that your child deserves.