Friday, September 28, 2012

Advice Every Mom And Dad Can Use


There is no subject that people have more advice to give than on parenting. Every pregnant women on the street is subjected to a barrage of unasked for advice on everything from how to feed them, how to raise them, and how to punish them. While we don't have all the answers, here are a few good tips to help you on your way.

<DIV style='float: left; width: 150px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;'><DIV style='background-color: #FFFFCC; color: #000000;'><small><font color='#FF0000'><b>TIP!</b></font> If you have a teenager of pre-teen that is unhappy with their weight, the best thing you can do as a parent is convince them they are fine just the way they are. Many teenagers turn to eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia, because their parents are not supportive.</small></DIV></DIV>

Overdressing can lead to a crabby baby! Babies get hot and uncomfortable wearing too much, just like we do. A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby the way you feel comfortable, whether for indoors or out. If it's cool and you need a jacket, baby probably does too!

Know your kid's friends and who they are hanging out with. This means having their parent's contact information and actually using it. If you build a network of parents who know each other and communicate, then you will have a group that you can turn to when you need to check up on your kids or seek out help.

<DIV style='float: right; width: 150px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;'><DIV style='background-color: #FFFFCC; color: #000000;'><small><font color='#FF0000'><b>TIP!</b></font> Invite every member of the family you can to participate in your child's school activities. People have busy lives and not everyone will be able to go to everything.</small></DIV></DIV>

As kids get to be older, they can still have the same difficulty in calming down as they had when they were small babies. You can provide them with a place to calm themselves by throwing a blanket over a table to give them a safe cocoon type place to regroup.

As you buckle your child into his or her car seat, you should check to ensure that the shoulder straps are snug - not tight enough to cause red marks or indentations, but not loose enough that the child could wiggle out of the harness. To check whether or not the shoulder restraints are too loose or tight, try to pinch the straps together above the buckle. You should not be able to pinch them together.

Take what we've given you in this article and learn what works for you. There is no one right way to be a parent. Every child and every family is unique and what works for you may not work for your neighbor. Use these tips as a jumping off point for your own exploration.