Many people make the choice to become parents for different reasons. It would be naive, however, to ignore the fact that parenthood comes with a unique combination of challenges. One challenge of being a parent is that your children, regardless of age, are likely to have their own perspective on things. This article contains some tips on being a parent that will help you handle all of the surprises that come with the job.

Consider what you are actually saying to your child. You need to establish a foundation of trust between your child and you.

You need to make a clean space on the counter where your child can lay. Allow your child to hold their head over the sink while you run water over it. This can help many toddlers who fear having water poured on their head or don’t like their head being dunked in the water.

Children in the preschool years do not handle transitions well. Abrupt changes between tasks stress out preschoolers to the point of melt down.

As parents we sometimes need to take a step back, and let our teenagers make their first step into young adulthood, by attending the college that they choose. Do not pressure your teen into doing something, or he or she might turn to the complete opposite.

If there are children in the house, don’t smoke inside. It might be a good time to think about quitting once and for all. You may not realize it, but secondhand smoke can be as bad, if not worse, than firsthand smoke. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at risk of developing respiratory diseases like bronchitis, asthma and even pneumonia.

A mesh teether can work wonders; if your children are having trouble cutting their teeth you can put cucumbers, carrots or pickles in one of these to help. Your child will enjoy the flavor of these all-natural teethers. A teether will not only help your child feel better, but will also help them cut their teeth quicker.

Keep toddler toys rotated from the bottom box. Toddlers will cast away toys that they do not like and play favorites with those they enjoy. Rotating toys can keep the playroom fresh and stimulating for your young one. It might also prevent you from constantly running to the store for another toy purchase.

When taking a trip with young kids and toddlers, don’t forget to pack the comfort items. While the rest of the family may be having a great vacation, a small child might view it as a disruption to their day-to-day life. If your child has a familiar toy, keep it handy during your transition to a new environment. They can more easily adjust to a new setting with their favorite object grounding them.

Raising children is the most rewarding job in the world, but it can also be the most stressful. No matter how many children you raise, the troubles they cause will never cease to surprise and confound you. Whether you have a tender moment with your child or a dilemma to resolve, use these tips to find the most positive outcome for your family.