Child-rearing is an ongoing challenge in many ways, and learning the positive techniques and skills to parent your child properly is critical. The more tricks and tools you have up your sleeve, the better parent you will become.

If you are an expectant parent, remember that it is not necessary to spend obscene amounts of money on furnishing your nursery. Items such as cribs or changing tables can be purchased at lower prices through classified ads or stores such as Walmart. Friends and family members may be willing to donate items that are no longer being used.

You can clear an area on the counter in the kitchen, roll up a soft towel, lay the child back on the towel with their head over the sink, then gently run the water over their hair and scalp. This can help alleviate the fear of being dunked and their dislike of water in their face.

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. The teenage strategy of doing the opposite of what is expected of them is a common response to feeling powerless and controlled.

Don’t smoke at home when you have kids. You may even want to even consider quitting. Secondhand smoke can be just as terrible as smoking itself. Second-hand smoke puts children at risk for lung ailments including asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.

If your children fight and have trouble getting along, try to develop a set of rules for your family that are set out in positive language. For example, instead of “no hitting,” opt for “only touch gently.”

Children enjoy feeling independent, so assigning them tasks to do as you tidy up can make them feel helpful and confident. For example, you could allow your young child to hand you some dishes out of the dishwasher when unloading it. Children enjoy helping with laundry so let them fold towels or socks. These chores will help them to feel independent, and you will get some help in the process.

If you adopt a child, prepare yourself to answer questions as your child gets older and wants to know more about the adoption. Adopted children are always going to want to know where they were originally from, and naturally they will look to you for the answers. It’s best to be honest about your child’s biological family, because lying about it may cause strife in your relationship when your child inevitably learns the truth.

Hopefully this article has helped you get a better idea of what your role as a parent is about. No parent will have all of the answers, though all you need is access to all of the resources that do.

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