That magical day your child was born was probably one of, if not THE, happiest times in your life. You have never felt a connection so strong to a human as you do with your child. The parenting advice below will help you build an even stronger relationship between you and your child that will last and thrive through the years.

Remove everything from the countertop in the kitchen, recline your son or daughter on a towel, and allow water from the tap to soak their hair. For many toddlers, this method will take the fear out of having their heads dunked or water poured over them.

If you are traveling with small children, always stick to their regular mealtime and bedtime routines, if possible. Young ones and babies will feel the stress of travel more than you realize. Maintaining the same schedule and rituals as you do at home will allow your child to settle in his or her new environment, ideally letting everyone get plenty of sleep.

It is crucial that parents of teenagers do not put too much pressure on them when they are deciding which college to go to. It can sometimes have the opposite effect if teens are coerced into making decisions that they do not desire.

Every parent needs to take some time off from taking care of their children. Set up a regular play date or a weekly visit with the grandparents, so that you can have some alone time. If you do not take breaks, stress will build up and the tensions will keep you from developing a healthy relationship with your children.

When your child is having difficulty cutting teeth, try placing sour pickles, cucumbers or carrots in a mesh teether. Chilled gel rings do also work, however, a tasty foodstuff is much more likely to hold your child’s attention while they are seeking relief. The more time your child gets to chew, the better feeling he or she is going to be through the day.

By setting firm, yet positive, boundaries and rules for your children you can avoid a lot of family discord and everyone will get along better. Instead of saying “don’t hit,” try saying “touch gently.”

Continuously alternate the toys you make available to toddlers as a way to stave off boredom and as a way of reminding them of all the things they own. Unless a toddler considers a particular toy to be an absolute favorite, he or she will likely lose interest in it in a day or two. By regularly rotating toys, you ensure that your child is always stimulated and interested by every object. It also eliminates the urge to constantly buy toys on every shopping trip.

Having a strong, meaningful relationship with your child when they are young is so important, and it will positively effect them once they are teenagers, when they are less likely to want to open up. Following these tips is only the first step in your being a parent journey.