Having a child is one of the most exciting things that can happen to you. This article offers a handpicked selection of tips and tricks for mastering parenthood.

Your children are always watching your behavior as a map for how they should behave. You will want to gain the trust of your children.

Make some space on your kitchen counter, set your child on a towel and run water over his hair and scalp. This can make hair washing fun and reduce the fear of getting water in his eyes or poured over him.

Parents should not pressure their teens to attend a college that the student isn’t interested in attending. Teenagers will often rebel against their parents’ wishes if they feel they are being overly controlling.

Never give any child under three years of age any type of soda to drink. Concentrate on offering your child beverages that include vitamins and other nutrients, such as water, sugar-free juices and milk.

If you have a youngster that is having a difficult time with cutting teeth, invest a couple of dollars into a mesh teether and place cold carrots, apple slices or other crunchy fruits and veggies in it. When the object has a taste, your infant will gnaw longer. Encourage your child to keep chewing, and those sore gums will feel better as the day progresses.

If you find yourself driving a great distance, but have children in the vehicle for the trip, don’t be afraid to pull over from time to time and get a breath of fresh air. 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. Let your children play and discover new adventures along the way in parks, restaurants and tourist attractions.

Don’t forget your child’s favorite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal when traveling. A vacation should be a fun and relaxing break for the family, but to a young child it may just seem like a disruption in their routine. Taking your child’s favorite soft toy or blanket with you will help your child to feel more at home and relaxed in a different location.

Hopefully these tips give you some ideas about being a parent. It should give you a small foundation to think about and to build upon. However, what works for your children may not be the same as what works for others. The right choice can change from one parent and child to another. Utilize any information that you think is useful and seems like it would work for you. Make the most of this time when your children are young and growing. Have great times together with them. Later on, it will seem like this time flew by quickly.