Humor Makes Parenting Easy

Raising a child is not an easy task. It doesn't matter if you are a first-time parent or an experienced one. It still requires parental skills and a lot of hard work, psychology, and of course, creativity.

In the old days, parenting skills were learned from the extended family, such as the the parents of the couple having a new kid, the grandparents, aunts, and uncles. If these relatives don't live in the same house, they usually live within the vicinity, making them available to impart valuable wisdom to the next generation on the subjects of pregnancy, chilbirth, and raising children.

In today's modern world, however, having an extended family within the same state is a rarity. We now live in a transient society where everything is fast-paced and based in technology. Thanks to the Internet, information on parenting can be accessible at the click of a mouse. It's up to us to filter through that information based on our own standards of morality, sensibilities, and personalities to make them work for our own families.

Experts believe that when it comes to parenting, humor can help motivate children where more negative tactics fail. For example, instead of snapping, “Come here right now!”, you can humor the kid with “I'm going to get you, here I come!” Creating a playful scenario keeps the situation from becoming a battle of wills.

According to parenting guru Jane Nelsen, EdD, the author of dozens of books, including Positive Discipline and, with H. Stephen Glenn, Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World, humor is a key tool to successful discipline.

“Humor takes us to a whole different level of consciousness,” Nelsen said. It helps break the negative mood not just for children, but for grown-ups, as well. When moms or dads issue angry commands, kids of all ages tend to dig in their heels and resist where no one benefits in the end. Thus, humor helps parents get themselves out of a reactive state.

Creative parents make use of common distractions, such as tickling, chasing, or animating stuffed toys as strategies. For example, using a stuffed toy to say, “It's time to go to bed. Let's sleep” is more likely to generate a positive response than an attempt at resistance. Humor can help parents and kids find the lighter side to work together toward the shared goal.

By: Mark Christian Walters

We all want to trust the people who are caring and providing for us. Your children's views on trust begin the moment they leave the safety of the womb and enter the vast, cold world around them.

You immediately begin caring for your newborn (as you continue to do for your other children), and thus your children learn to trust that mom and dad are there to meet their needs. Without that trust in others, children cannot grow into mature, self-confident and independent adults.

When working to foster such trust in your children, here are some points to keep in mind:

The importance of touch: scientific studies have shown that children who are not touched in a positive manner (hugs, kisses, holding hands, etc.) tend to develop attachment disorders. They cannot connect to others, or place their trust in caregivers. Thus, it's important to provide your children the comfort, security and trust of physical touch.

Positive reinforcement with words: verbally reaffirming for your children that you love them unconditionally helps to create a stable, safe environment where the children know they are loved and cared for. If children know they will still be loved, even when they make a mistake or misbehave (even if there are consequences, such as an unpleasant punishment), the lines of communication remain open. Your children know they can still come and talk to you without feeling they should hide whatever they've done wrong.

Establish routines and consistency: routines (meals, baths, bedtime, etc.) provide your household and your children with a sense of control. Being consistent and repeating those routines takes away some decision-making from your child, yet lets them feel a sense of control over their world through established expectations. It also establishes limits (bedtime, curfew and so on) and teaches children to make good decisions and abide by limits, otherwise there will be consequences, whether it's in your household or in life.

Of course, you, too, must be consistent. You must keep your word and be true to the rules of your household. Doing so will help establish and build trust in your children, and that in turn will help them move from the safe haven of trust and respect you've established in your family and apply those lessons to life.

By: Gareth Williams

Your Child Will Never Listen To You Unless You Follow This One Simple Tip

Remember that Cindy Lauper song, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun?" Your kids - from preschool to teenagers - just want to have fun. Work just isn't on the minds of most kids, big or small. As adults, you and I know that work has to get done, and we know when it has to be done. Kids, not so much.

I can't count the number of times over the years when I'd tell one or both of my boys to do something, and they'd act like I wasn't even there. Before I learned this one simple tip, I'd talk and talk, threaten, cajole, sometimes even try bribery, just to get them to acknowledge my request and get their little butts in motion. I was the parent, after all. My word was law and I should be respected and obeyed, right?

Yes, of course. But I discovered, through trial and error, and some research, that there was a problem with my approach. Think of it this way: imagine that you're a light bulb on a dimmer switch, or a lamp that has several brightness settings that are clearly visible to your kids.

When you first start out with your request for your children, you're on the "low" setting. You're relatively calm, and the "low" setting indicates to your children that there's still plenty of time before you get to "high" and go ballistic. And, thus, they're free to "tune you out.

"In other words, your kids have learned -- thanks to your behaviour and your parenting approach -- that they can ignore your requests, and you'll continue to make pleas, threats, etc., until you're blue in the face. You're predictable, but not in a good way that produces the results you're looking for. In other words, the consequences of your children's lack of attentiveness and/or obedience are not predictable.

What needs to change? First, you do need to be predictable, but in a way that your children will see repeated over and over again. That's consistency. There's nothing wrong with the light bulb-dimmer switch analogy or approach. You simply have to implement it a little differently:

Low: you make the request calmly, being as specific as possible so there's no misunderstanding of what you're saying to them. For example, asking a question ("Joey, can you take out the garbage?") may seem specific as far as the task, but you're essentially leaving the request open to your child's interpretation and decision-making. Not necessarily bad for older children, once you've established positive behaviours. But, especially for younger children, try saying something specific and direct like this instead: "Joey, please take out the trash before dinner.

"Medium: If your child does not respond or continues to tune you out, this is a crucial fork in the road. This is where you "turn up the intensity of the light." Try saying just once: "If you don't do what I asked, there will be a consequence."Over the years, I've found that shouting or threatening is not the right approach. They still just tuned me out. Instead, I like to (still calmly) approach my boys, get up close so we're making eye contact face-to-face, and simply let them know that this is how this household (and life) works. Doing something you're not supposed to do, or not doing something you've been asked by a person in authority do, has consequences.

Again, remember that you don't stay in this stage, repeating, asking, begging, or threatening. While being reasonable, this is where you show your children a calm predictability again and again. And, when you see the desired results, then be sure to praise the proper behaviour. If not, then you move on to "high intensity.

"High: In this "high intensity" stage, you've reached the consequence, or punishment phase, since the request has been ignored. Again, there's likely to be drama on the part of your children when they discover the punishment, the consequence they've invoked. For younger children, this could be a "timeout" away from toys or TV. For older children, it could be loss of privileges, allowance, use of the car, etc.

Here, you'll probably want to keep it short and simple, without hysterics or punishment that doesn't "fit the crime." But, do try to be both consistent and predictable, and keep following this approach. You won't change all your kids' behaviours over night, but by being calm, consistent and predictable, you're on your way to less stress, less drama, and more compliant children.

By: Gareth Williams

Must Have Advice To Change A Child's Rude Behavior

In today's world, it seems like manners and polite behaviour are disappearing. Especially among children. Culture and society have a lot to do with it. With the Internet, cell phones, music videos, sports, and television as prime culprits, our children definitely live in a more "get-yours, in-your-face" world than we did growing up. In other words, simple courtesy and politeness are sometimes viewed as signs of weakness, rather than normal behaviour.

So, what can we as parents do to instill phrases like "Yes, ma'am," and "Yes, sir," and "please" and "thank you" into the behaviour of our children?

As with so many of our parenting tips, it starts with parents serving as role models for the behaviour they want to see in their children. In the home and outside of it. That means that, beyond the words and phrases, parents must also role model the attitude of politeness.

Instead of a hectic pace, for example, on the roadways, in stores, in line at the theatre, take an approach that defers to others. Let that car pass you or cut in front of you, without any hostility on your part. Let someone go ahead of you in line, or take that last sale item, and be gracious when you do it. And, of course, demonstrate the accompanying words to further convey the desired attitude. "No, please, you have more items. You go first, sir."

In younger children, this behaviour is easier to instill. Remember, young children are "egocentric" and think primarily of themselves and their needs, which can lead to rude behaviour simply because they have not yet learned to take into account the needs and feelings of those around them. Start instilling this awareness and the desired polite behavior with some of the following words and activities:

- "In our family, we say 'please' and 'thank you.' And we treat each other and those around us with courtesy and respect."

- Praise children when they do behave politely. Discuss and role play it when they do not.

- Watch TV or read books together and discuss the behaviours you see, deciding together what is and isn't acceptable for your family.

- For older children, this can also work. But you might try adding in a bit of role-reversal, putting a rude child in the place of someone (teacher, friend, parent, sibling, etc.) he/she has mistreated. Then ask your child how he/she would like to be treated in a similar circumstance.

- Reinforce the desired attitude and behavior by associating with other parents who also value polite, respectful behaviour. And don't forget to compliment any of your child's friends who behave politely.

Lastly, don't forget that you never stop parenting, you never give up on role modeling and praising the right behaviour, you never stop being polite and respectful.

By: Gareth Williams

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Mending The Fence Between A Mom And Her Teenage Daughter

Mending the Fence between a Mom and Her Teenage Daughter

Teenage behavior is as unpredictable as the bathrooms you have to use in gas stations, fast food restaurants, and rest stops along I-10. Some are pretty dog-gone nasty.

Why is it that when our girls are little, we put bows in their hair, but when they become teenagers, we find ourselves wanting to tie them around their necks? Or is that just me? I don't think so.

Do you ever think that her demonstration of mother love is far less than your demonstration of daughter love in your home? That is the mother and teenage daughter love dance. We often times have our toes stepped on. I hope you will find encouragement in knowing that we all go through that.

Mending the fence between a mother and daughter can begin anytime you choose. Teenage behavior and its unpredictable ups and downs will always be the case. This would be especially true if she suffers from O.D.D. (oppositional defiant disorder) or bipolar disorder. Even as unpredictable as our daughters can be, Mom can begin to be the predictable one in the relationship though. She can allow her daughter to rest in the knowledge that no matter what her mistakes have been, the love for her daughter will never change. That is so comforting to me. I love saying that to my children. Their eyes light up with a sense of security knowing that they are accepted just the way they are and they are not required to be perfect in order for me to love them. I may not love their behavior or actions, but I will always love them.

I also appreciate and seize each day as another opportunity to be a better person than the day before. Mending the fence between a mother and daughter requires the barriers of guilt, shame, and disappointment to be broken down. There are only so many times you can tell your daughter she messed up. Don't you think she knows that? Teaching her how to not make the same mistake again in love will yield greater results than continuously reminding her of her mistakes in anger. One has the ability to draw the person closer in while the other has the tendency to push away.

If you as a mother know there needs to be changes in the relationship between you and your daughter, but you have no clue how to go about making it work, join millions of mothers all over the world. You are not alone! We tend to resolve problems and conflicts the way our mothers taught us. Working through problems calmly and rationally is either going to feel natural or unnatural to you. Chances are if it comes naturally, your mother may be the one to thank.

Regardless of how you were raised, you have the power to connect with your daughter. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses and be honest with her about them. Listen to her as she shares her strengths and weaknesses. Learn to keep each other more balanced and strive to rebuild a sturdy fence between the two of you. Broken fences are as useless as tits on a bore hog. They serve no purpose, so get out there and start mending yours today! She is absolutely worth it and so are you Mom.

By: Dr. Cheryl Guy

10 Parenting Tips To Stop Bribing Your Child

Picture this scenario: A harried mom in a grocery store asks her two young boys to stop fighting. They continue…getting even more boisterous. After asking for the “umpteenth” time and having them ignore her, she starts to raise her voice, but stops herself, she knows she shouldn’t yell at them…additionally the kids won’t respond to yelling anyway. She reaches the end of her rope, is at her whit’s end, wants immediate results, so, “bribes the children.” Sound familiar?

Bribery gets immediate results. The behavior the parent is trying to curb stops… but to what future consequence.

In the long run “bribes” don’t work. Bribing children can have the opposite of the intended effect. Behavior can become more and more outrageous in the hopes of attaining better and better prizes. It goes to follow, if a small tussle in the grocery store is rewarded with a pack of gum, what will an out and out brawl get, a cell phone? Bribing creates a situation where the tail is wagging the dog. The child’s behavior begins to dictate the culture of the family. The family is happy when the child behaves well and in turmoil when the child misbehaves. The child gains power and the parents lose power.

It is more effective and healthier to tell the child that he or she will face a consequence if the unacceptable behavior continues and then follow-through with that consequence. “If you continue to do “X” behavior, we will not go to the park,” (or whatever fun thing the child is looking forward to in the near future). By giving a consequence that the child can actually experience, the child feels the consequence and in turn thinks twice before repeating the offense. Giving a consequence assures that the parent never attacks the essence of the child, which can be damaging to their psyche, just the behavioral offense.

Following through is a crucial step of this learning process. The child must know that the parent means what she says and always follows through.

On the other hand, when the child behaves, praise, praise, and praise! Let him know that it is marvelous and wonderful when he listens. For example a successful trip to the grocery store should be complimented. Consistency, follow-through and praise are essential in promoting and reinforcing good behavior and creating peace in the family.

Consistency, follow-through, and praise sound easy enough. Then why do parents so easily fall into the “bribery” trap?

One reason parents bribe is because raising kids and running a household are incredibly challenging and taxing. When half-way through folding a load of laundry the child reaches over and tosses the folded clothes across the room or when traveling up and down the aisles of the supermarket and the child starts grabbing food out of the cart and pitching it onto the floor, a parent can feel pushed to the brink. The mundane work has to be completed, it is understandable that parents bribe the child to quickly nix the bad behavior and finish the one of many task on their long daily list.

It is definitely tempting to bribe children to stop the disruptive behavior with a new toy or a snack. However, rewarding the negative behavior with a bribe ultimately leads the child back to that same unacceptable behavior, the next time with a vengeance.

It is really important to be your child’s advocate. Think about the tools your child needs to be equipped for teen years and adulthood. As hard as it is not to appease in the moment, consider the child’s future interests. The goal of a parent is to help mold a fantastic person and give the necessary tools a child needs to have a great life.

Here are ten tips for parents who want to find an alternative to “bribery”:

1. Immediately respond to the incident making sure that the child realizes that her behavior is unacceptable. Little kids need to be educated about right and wrong.

2. Use words the child will understand to explain that you are upset. Don’t assume she knows why you are unhappy. “Tammy, pulling the folded clothes out of the laundry basket is not okay. Mommy worked hard to fold those clothes. We have discussed this before. I am giving you a three minute time-out.”

3. Follow-through, act immediately, and do what you say you are going to do. Do not make idle threats.

4. Ask the child to apologize.

5. Reward the child with a huge hug and kiss and thank him for completing the time-out. Then let it go. It is not fair to your child to dwell on an incident after he has completed the time-out, or you have taken away a toy or privilege.

6. Do not feel guilty that you had to reprimand your child. It is your obligation to your child to teach her proper behavior. If you are calm and choose an appropriate consequence then you are being a great parent.

7. Be on the look out for good behavior. How refreshing it is for kids to have their positive behavior recognized…especially when they weren’t expecting it to be noticed.

8. Keep a tally of all of the good behavior over the course of the day and reward with an extra story at bedtime, an extra fun craft project, or a “tickle extravaganza.” But most importantly, let the child know how proud you are of him or her and how much you love him/her.

9. Talk your children up! Say, “I have the most wonderful kids! I love to be with them!” Kids do hear you when you talk about them, loud and clear. Make sure that the majority of what they hear makes them feel warm and nurtured, loved, respected and cherished.

10. Children want limits set. They feel out of control if you don’t make the boundaries clear, and that scares them. Children want you to be the parent. One of the most wonderful gifts that you can give to your kids is to teach them how to behave properly.Guiding children through the tough stages of childhood creates parenting opportunities for teaching lessons in manners and good behavior. By promoting peace, quiet and good behavior in the home, parents create a fertile environment that encourages growth and development.

By:
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Simple Ways To Get Your Child To Sleep Through The Night

During childhood, a good night's sleep is one of the most important things that a child can have - in fact, childhood experts agree that young children typically need between nine to ten hours a night in order to encourage proper body and development function. Yet if your child has trouble sleeping through the night, this can often seem like an impossible goal; however, you're not alone. Thanks to the popularity of stimulating technology in the home, like video games, computers and mp3 players, more and more children are finding it difficult to sleep through the night due to overstimulation. Add to the fact that many children are consuming diets full of sugar and carbs, and you have a recipe for a night full of tossing and turning!

Want to get your child to stop his or her sleepless nights and get the nine to ten hours that child experts recommend for ideal overall growth and health? Just follow these tips and your child will be off to dreamland in no time!

1. Limit the amount of time that your child spends in front of the computer or television set before bedtime. Just like with adults, children who spend the two hours up until their bedtime performing "overstimulating" activity can have difficulty falling asleep due to too much brain activity. Tell your child that there will be no video or computer games allowed before bedtime, and stick to this rule. You should notice a difference in your child's sleeping patterns almost immediate.

2. Have a consistent bedtime, even on the weekends. A child's body clock is a delicate thing, and can easily be disrupted if your child sleeps in too much on the weekends or goes to bed too late at night. Have your child go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday - if your child has exhibited particularly good behavior, award him or her by pushing back bedtime by an hour and a half; however don't go any more than this, or you'll disrupt your child's body clock!

3. Have your child's bedroom be used specifically for sleep only. If your child spends his or her time on the bed playing video or computer games, he or she will associate the bed with fun activities. Create an environment in the child's bedroom that encourages sleep - for example, don't have a computer in your child's bedroom, avoid leaving bright lights on and keep the bedroom at a cool temperature. The goal is to have your child realize that going to bed is equated to falling asleep, so try to prevent other activities from being done in your child's sleeping environment.

4. Avoid feeding your child a diet of mainly sugar and carbs. Sugar will cause your child to become hyperactive, which is especially detrimental towards getting a full night's sleep. Carbs are still necessary for a child's diet, but avoid feeding your son or daughter only carbs a few hours before bedtime, since this slowly burns off energy that will keep your child awake.

5. Get your child to exercise during the afternoon, as this will make his or her body tired just in time for bed. However, don't exercise within a few hours of bedtime, or else your child will still be on an energy high!

Getting your child to sleep through the night doesn't have to become a production. Just follow these simple tips for maximum effect, and your precious angel will soon be getting the nine to ten hours required for his or her healthy development.

By: Gareth Williams

Tips For A Temper Tantrum-free Child!

Every parent has a horror story from when their child threw a particularly powerful temper tantrum. Perhaps it occurred in the middle of a crowded grocery store or during a movie; wherever the tantrum took place, nothing can be more frustrating than trying to turn your son or daughter from a screaming child into a sweet angel again. Why exactly do temper tantrums take place, anyways?

Many child experts agree that young children use temper tantrums for different reasons, depending on their age range. Those children that are in their infancy and early toddler years often have difficulty in expressing their exact feelings, like how hungry they are, if they're in pain or if they just need a nap; so instead, they vent their frustration through tears. Older children, having outgrown this particular developmental stage, use temper tantrums as a form of learned manipulation - since a parent has likely caved in to a temper tantrum in the past, the child now knows that he or she can have whatever they want after a few minutes of screaming.

So if you're ready to put an end to temper tantrums once and for all, just follow these easy and expert-approved steps!

1. When your child is in the midst of throwing a particularly loud temper tantrum, don't scold or discipline your child from afar. Instead, get down to eye level with your child and tell them that you'd like him or her to stop. By getting in your child's personal space, you become a more tangible force to be obeyed, rather than just a person in the distance. Continue doing this during temper tantrums and your child will soon learn that his or her behavior is unacceptable.

2. Try to distract your child by suggesting another activity. Often, temper tantrums are thrown when children are bored or frustrated with what they're doing at the present moment; by suggesting another activity, you'll take your child's mind off of his or her boredom and the temper tantrum altogether.

3. Identify why it is exactly that your child is throwing a temper tantrum. This is particularly useful to do, especially if your child is still in the developmental stage where he or she cannot properly express emotions and feelings. Is your child hungry? Tired? Thirsty? Figure out why your child is so upset and remedy the problem. However, one word of warning: do not apply this same logic to your child if he or she is throwing a tantrum due to wanting a toy or object: you'll only teach your child that he or she will be rewarded for bad behavior!

4. You may be able to avoid temper tantrums altogether if you get your child involved in day-to-day decision-making processes. For example, if your child usually throws a temper tantrum when getting dressed in the morning, ask him or her what clothes he'd like to wear for the day. Sure, your child may choose some interesting outfits, but many children throw tantrums when they're given no say. Relinquish a bit of control over the smaller stuff, and your child will be a sweet angel again.

As you can see, temper tantrums can happen for all sorts of reasons, so it's important to quickly identify what it is that set your child off. Basic emotions, like hunger, thirst and tiredness should be remedied; however, if you never want to experience a tantrum again, don't give in to other kinds of temper tantrums! Stay firm and consistent with your child, and he or she will soon realize that bad behavior will not be tolerated.

By: Gareth Williams

Parenting Skills - Top Tips and Guides

Raising Your Children. Parents, make your home a Happy Home. Life does not have to be a battle with your children. Both you and your child are beginners in the Parent–Child relationship. Map out the best future possible for yourself and your children by learning from the best tips and advice available and avoid the child raising problems so many experience.

The Art of Raising Children. Raising your family in this modern world is not a simple matter for most people. There are so many issues involved that the average parent can be overwhelmed by the pressures of modern life and the unknown factors and emotional needs of children of which they have little or no experience.

Raising Children is an Art that has been developed over centuries and which has to be fine tuned by each generation to fit the times in which we live. The parents must adapt to changing times and circumstances, economic and social pressures that are far different from their own childhood days. There is much more at stake than just providing food and shelter.

Children are very discerning and at a very young age are well aware of emotional and physical disturbances in their environment. Pause for a moment and consider the difference you notice yourself in the home where there is constant conflict or a peaceful loving atmosphere.

The parents of their first born are beginners. They look for advice from experienced people not only on how to raise children but also on how they need to conduct themselves while doing so. Advice such as:-

• Parenting rules. Age old rules about Routine - Restraint – Responsibility - explaining and warnings.

• Potty training. How and what to do for success. Rewards – Games – Praise –Potty parties and more.

• Separation Anxiety. Don’t just disappear – Play peek-a-boo – Talk to them even when not in the room – Let them know you’re there.

• How toddlers work. They work on impulse – They don’t have great memories – They want it now – They want your love and attention – They don’t have patience – They don’t have fear – They don’t understand choices.

• Simple parenting Try new things – Teach them to love learning – Teach them fun Skills. things – Teach them to smile – Teach them how to make friends -

These tips and guides are but a few of many types of information all parents and children can benefit from. You owe it to yourself and your children to provide a balanced, well organized parenting program which will provide your child with the best chance in life. You will also benefit from the peace and harmony in the home and the pride you will experience as your child progresses through life.

Give your child the best chance in life by making a study of proven ways to assist in their upbringing. Give yourself the best chance of providing a happy caring and peaceful environment for all your family.

About The Author
Parenting Skills – Top Tips and Advice. Written by Walter Lobwein.

How To Get Your Child Excited For School

There are some children who absolutely love going to school. Whether it's the constant interaction with friends, the classes or the after-school activities, they hardly ever complain about having to get up in the mornings - and their parents are the lucky ones!

If your child is less than thrilled with the prospect of starting another year at school - or just puts up a fight every weekday morning - then you may feel at a loss as to how to get them excited for school. Sure, you could tell them how great getting an education is, or how much you miss school yourself - but your opinions are likely influenced by hindsight, whereas your child will benefit from something more tangible.

So how exactly do you get your child excited for school short of becoming his or her own personal cheerleading squad? Here are some sneaky tricks and tips that will have your child excited to wake up on weekday mornings!

First, be sure that you understand exactly why your child isn't excited about school. Is there any reason in particular that he or she is unenthusiastic? For example, is your child being bullied? Is there a teacher who your child doesn't like? Or do the school subjects not appeal to him or her? By finding the root cause of your child's apathy, you're more likely to successfully address these concerns and get your kid motivated to get on that school bus every morning. Be sure to sit your child down and ask more than just surface questions about school: quiz them on their favourite or least favourite subjects, friends and teachers.

If your child is suffering from bullying, you'll need to get the school involved in order to make the classroom a safer and more supportive environment. Talk to school administrators and demand a zero-tolerance policy on bullying; thanks to the national attention that's been paid to problems that arise with bullying, you're likely to be successful.

However, if it's the academics that really turn your child off, try to tease out what exactly your child dislikes about his or her classes. Is the work too hard? If so, enroll your child in tutoring and other programs that will teach him or her how to study successfully. On the other hand, are the classes too boring? If that's the case, find out if your school has any programmes for the academically gifted or advanced classes that can be taken after school. Ask your teacher if he or she can assign intellectually challenging homework to your child in order to keep things interesting.

Additionally, play up your child's favourite hobbies and put them in context of school. Does your child enjoy acting, singing or playing sports? Then get them enrolled in an after-school activity pronto! You'll be amazed at how much your child will look forward to going to school if he or she knows that the day will end doing something extremely enjoyable. Does your child enjoy art or writing? Lots of schools now offer after-school classes on painting, drawing and creative writing. If your school doesn't, then find one in your area that does - the point is to get your child to associate a school day with enjoyable activities, no matter what school it's held at!

Sometimes, your child might say that he or she hates school just because "everyone else does". However, be sure to highlight all of the great things about school whenever you're faced with this comment - soon, your child will associate school with fun, and will look forward to the weekdays.

By: Gareth Williams

Why It Is So Important To Recognize Your Child's Hidden Talents

Too soon to start thinking about what your children will do in the world to support themselves? Given the current state of the economy, and the changes we may be seeing in the workforce and the world as a result, it's not too early to be thinking about your children's future.

Once again, I'll reference my two boys, since they're very different in terms of talent and temperament. The older of my boys is away at a major university on a track scholarship. He also had good enough grades and was enough of an entrepreneur in high school that he probably would've gotten an academic scholarship, too, had it not been for his sports acumen.

My younger son is a different story. While my older boy is ambitious - a classic "self-starter" and entrepreneur - my younger son seems to lack any motivation or desire to excel. He struggles to get even a C on his report card, and he's not very interested in business or college.

Had he not discovered his talent and his focus in life, he might have wandered aimlessly about. But he is good at something, and I'm glad I helped him find it and am doing all I can to be supportive.

He plays guitar. I know, I know. A musician? A rock 'n roller? A band? What kind of career path is that?

Well, it's certainly not my career path. And it's probably not the path most parents would choose for their children. It is, however, his path, his talent, his love. And I'm every bit as proud of him as I am of my older son in college. My younger son and his band played their first live performance recently, and the joy and passion he had was evident. He even wrote the song they performed.

That's the point of this parenting tip and I'll illustrate it with a question: will it be enough for you if your child is happy and fulfilled in his life and career, or would you prefer that you're happy and fulfilled by what he's doing? Yes, putting "Dr." in front of your child's name, or "Esquire" after it might make you feel fulfilled, but wouldn't you rather they found their own calling, their own career, their own happiness and passion in life?

To help them along that path, start early if possible, by helping them try different things and explore different talents and paths without pushing any of them. Just let them play, expose them to as many different activities and choices as possible, then simply support and encourage them along the way.

They may try and fail at many of them, but at least you know that you allowed them to find their talent and their own passion in life. And you got to be a part of it.

By: Gareth Williams

Top Tips On Becoming A Great Mother

Motherhood can be one of the most beautiful experiences that a woman can have in her entire life - and it can also be one of the most stressful! After all, there are so many different things that can happen when you raise children: what if one of them is sick? What if they have discipline problems? What if they think you're a poor mother? When you're about to become a mother - or are even in the midst of being a mother - it's hard to have perspective on how good of a job you're doing in raising your children.

But no matter what you think about yourself as a mother, chances are, you're already doing a terrific job. No one has written the definitive book on being a perfect mother; in fact, hundreds of books a year are published on how to be the perfect parent, so it's pretty obvious that no one has stumbled onto the magic formula yet! Here's the secret: motherhood isn't something that you can be "perfect" at. Rather, all you can do is try your best and to have a sense of humor about scenarios that you may encounter while raising your children.

In fact, a sense of humor is one of the greatest tools that you have at your disposal when raising children. It's easy to get caught up in the stresses of everyday life - after all, between your job, running a household and maintaining your relationship with your partner, keeping your child happy and healthy can seem like a daunting task! But it's important to remember that a sense of humor will take the anxiety and edge out of the stress that permeates into life as a mother. So what if your child painted on the bathroom walls? So what if your child decided to raid your makeup and decorate his or her face? Take a deep breath, count to ten and laugh - this will keep everything in perspective.

Another key to being a great mother is to be a little creative. Children have an uncanny ability of throwing the most unexpected scenarios your way, and at times when it's the most inconvenient. Try not to get too upset, especially with younger children, as unpredictability goes hand in hand with raising children. Spare yourself some stress and have a back-up plan for wherever you go - for example, if you travel with your child in the car often, have prepackaged snacks and games in the car at all times. That way, when your child gets cranky or is on the midst of throwing a temper tantrum, you'll be able to adapt to his or her behavior right away.

Being a great mother also means becoming more flexible in your own day-to-day schedule. Sure, when you were pregnant, it may have been easy to plan everything, even your own delivery, right down to a tee - but now that you're raising children, following a strict itinerary is not only unrealistic; it can be downright impossible! Understand that there are some things that, as a mother, are going to be out of your control - therefore, if you're the type of person that enjoys having everything in its place just so, you'll need to try to adapt as much as possible to the unpredictability that occurs when raising children. That way, when your child surprises you with a new scenario that you've never encountered before, you'll be able to adapt with less stress and anxiety - and this key to being the best mother that you can be!

By: Gareth Williams

Investing In Your Grandchildren Is Not Expensive

I believe the greatest investments we can make while we are alive are to invest in our children, or grandchildren. By invest I am not talking about money, although there is nothing wrong with money. We all enjoy buying them things like kids bedding, or something else for their rooms. What I am talking about is investing your time and just having fun with your grandchildren.

I remember one day when my grandson and I were just going for a ride. He was about three years old. He said Papa can we go to look at the “train wagons”? It took me a second or two to realize that he wanted to go to see the train boxcars. So we did just that. On the way we passed an Ostrich farm. He said “wow look at that bird”. I laughed as I turned the car around so I could park where he could get a better look. Finally I said to him, “what kind of bird is that”? He thought for awhile and responded “its an Ooo… Ooo… Oyster”. These are the kind of experiences create memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Kids are so great. It is fun to watch their minds work as they are trying to make sense out of their surroundings. Children are industrious, intelligent and innocent. These early years are the best time to influence your grandchildren.

There are so many things you can do with your grandchildren. How about reading them a story? As a child I can remember story time as one of my favorite things. My father had a great sense of humor. He would like to tell us stories, but he would like to put a twist on them. For instance instead of the “Three Little Pigs” he would tell the story of the “Three Little Sows”. There were times that his children would get into heated debates with their teachers on how exactly the story really goes. Again this creates memories that will last as long as we live. This could not have happened without the parent spending or investing time into their children. So remember, read to them. Children at this age really love it, especially if the story is lively and easily understood. You can make going to the library a special event. Do it often with your grandchildren.

Another one of my favorite times is taking a long walk with kids. It is great to let them explore, bring the dog along. Kids and dogs just seem to go together. I especially like to walk in wooded areas. It is great fun to discover any kind of wild life. This is an opportunity for teaching kids things like being kind to animals as well as insects. Teach them that we are going into the animals’ home and we should be respectful to them. Teach them that animals have a right to be there. It is where they live. Teach them the value of bugs, worms, insects, plants, and anything and everything we come across. Again these are times that become valuable as memories, both to the grandparents and also to the grandchildren.

Go to the zoo. Let them see all the animals, and let them pet them if that's allowed. There's nothing like getting up close the animals they've seen in books.

By: dlmiller1054
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Easy Way To Potty Train Your Child

Children have the ability to learn new things all on their own. But many things they will have to learn from their parents. Because of this it is our responsibility to make sure that we teach them what is important and we do it properly. One of the most challenging things to teach a toddler is how to utilise “the potty”.

Unlike the myths not all parents are born with the normal intuition to understand just what to do with their children and how to teach them everything they need to know. Potty Training is one area that numerous of us struggle with. That is why we turn to every book and other parents to get their advice.

Before you can set about to train your child they need to be able to point to you when they have wet or soiled their diaper. SeveralOther kids will skip over this process and will start out to tell you when they want to use the potty. You also should ensure that you can devote at least three days or more where you and your child can work together. Don’t be disheartened if it takes a longer time for them to learn. Many children will not learn till they are three.

To make potty training somewhat simpler on your toddler you will need to allow them to see how they should use the toilet. This implies that you should show them how it is used. Let them watch you using the potty and maybe even teach them how to flush the toilet.

Before you start to instruct them how they should use the potty you should set a peculiar potty training seat where your toddler plays and permit them to familiarise themselves with it and learn how to sit on it. Let them acknowledge that this is their chair and they can sit on it when they want. Allow For them to sit on it for many days or weeks while wearing their clothes before you teach them how to sit on it without their pants and diaper.

Once your child understands what the potty is for and it is time to teach them how to use it. During this time your child will need to be wearing underwear and loose pants that can come off easily and quickly. Having them wear underclothes that has a particular design will make them more keen to wanting to put it on.

When your child points to you that it is time for them to use the bathroom or when you observe them stop what they are doing - this is normally an indication that they are about to use the bathroom. This is the time to carry them to the potty. Place them on the potty training seat and wait patiently for them to finish.

Sit next to your child while they are on the potty and speak to them. Encourage them to utilize it and maybe even read them their favorite book. Ensure that you do not discipline them if they don’t use it every time. Rather praise them when they have and if they have not let them know that it is ok.

By: Naomi West
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Bed Wetting Boys - Are You Concerned?

Many parents worry when their boy continues bed wetting beyond the age when many other children are dry at night, but in many cases there is no need to be alarmed. Many children start becoming dry at about 3 years, but about 10% are still bed wetting at 5 years, with it being twice as common with boys. If a boy is still bed wetting at 6 years then a doctor should be consulted to ensure there is not a physical problem.

There are a number of possible reasons why a boy is bed wetting. A small child has to learn to recognise the need to use the bathroom. A young baby has no control over their bladder, but as they develop and mature, the brain begins to recognise and control the need to empty the bladder. If the bladder is small or weak, bed wetting may occur, but as the child grows older, training will normally overcome this. Some children are heavy sleepers and are unaware that they need to urinate.

Some parents are concerned that the problem may be due to anxiety. This is not normally the case, although many, normally dry children will wet the bed at times of stress such as starting school or parents divorcing.. This is a normal reaction and should only cause concern if it continues. No parent should get angry about bed wetting as this could cause anxiety.

It is generally believed that bed wetting may be genetic. If one parent was a bed wetter as a child, there is an increased risk that their child will also bed wet. If both parents were sufferers, the risk increases greatly.

If you have any concerns at all you should consult your doctor to find out whether treatment is necessary. You should always seek help if a child who has been dry suddenly lapses.

This article is for information only and the author accepts no liability for its contents. A doctor should always be consulted before undertaking any treatment and no liability is accepted for any action taken.The article may be used as long as the content remains unaltered and a working hyperlink given to the author's site.

By: Margaret Tye
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