When you gather the right knowledge and skills for it, raising a child is a wonderfully joyous experience. Read this article to pick up good advice you can use to be a better, more effective parent. It just might make the child-rearing process even more enjoyable, too.

While devoting time to your children is important, taking time for yourself is essential, too. This allows you to retain your individuality along with your identity as a parent.

Preschool children often have a hard time with change. Abrupt changes between tasks stress out preschoolers to the point of melt down.

If your teenager is contemplating college choices, try not to put too much pressure on him to do what you want. If teenagers feel pressured they may do the complete opposite, feeling they are being controlled.

You should never give your infant or toddler any kind of soft drinks because of the acids, chemicals and caffeine that they contain. Only give your child drinks that offer nutrients and vitamins. Milk, water and juices are great examples of drinks that are good to offer your child.

A little “me time” away from the company of your kids can be really important. Have a family member or friend watch your children, even if it is just for a few hours. Parents that do not get personal or adult time away from children have higher levels of stress that magnify throughout the home.

Be sure that you put reflectors on your child’s backpack and coat if they walk around during early morning or evening hours, no matter how old they are. You can find reflective Velcro strips you can attach to clothing. Retro-reflective materials, whether Velcro or tape, make children more visible if they’re walking prior to sunrise or after dark. No matter what time of day it is, wearing reflective materials draws drivers’ attention to your children’s presence and makes road accidents less likely.

Now that you have been provided with these crucial tips, you know how to make parenting fun, rather than looking at it as a duty. You should never be embarrassed to turn to another person for advice or look for suitable role models for bringing up a child insight. Your children will thank you!