It’s safe to bet that the day your child was born was one of the best days in your life. There is no stronger bonds than the ones you can develop with your child. Apply these tips to communicate with your child and build strong connections.

It is natural for young children to have a hard time transitioning. When they must quickly change tasks, they can become stressed.

Taking a break from your children every now and then is important. Get a friend or family member to take care of your kids, even if it’s only for a couple of hours. If parents never get a timeout from being a parent responsibilities, stress and frustration can result. This will affect the entire family.

If children live in your home, avoid smoking in the house. It is actually a good idea to quit smoking altogether, especially if you have children. The dangers of inhaling secondhand smoke are the same as those of smoking. Smoking around your children can be very hazardous and cause many respiratory issues including asthma, bronchitis or pneumonia.

Remember that each child is a different person. Techniques that have worked with some children may not work with others. This applies to both punishments and rewards. Despite this, be sure to remember the techniques that you have used.

If you child is teething, chill some pickles, cucumbers or carrots and let your child gnaw on them using a mesh teether. Even though there are many ways to relieve the discomfort of teething, a child is most likely to enjoy using this method because of the taste. Your child will have more relief from teething pains as they continue to use this teether.

Establish rules and word them in a positive way so that your children do not think of them as restrictions. For example, instead of “no hitting,” opt for “only touch gently.”

When you add children to the family, make sure that you put looking after you towards the top of the list. Regardless of how busy your day is, set aside time to take a break and rejuvenate. The entire family will be much happier.

Make sure you make some stops when traveling with children so they do not become intolerable. As tempting as it may be to drive straight through to your destination, taking little breaks can really make the ride more pleasant for kids and the adults alike. Put aside a few extra minutes for pulling over at some different parks, restaurants, or other scenic stopping points for a breather, and give the children a chance to burn that energy off.

Establishing a strong, healthy bond with your child while they are younger is critical, it will have a positive impact on them as they enter the teenage years, when it is so important to stay connected with them. Use the above raising a child advice to navigate through all the stages of your children’s lives.