Parenting and Disciplining Little Children
Ideally, parenting small children would involve a completely flawless switch from the pure and precious baby phase to the helpful and sensible child. In reality, high expectations generally fall apart even earlier than the terrible 2's as the heavenly baby turns into a self willed little individual who desires independence despite the fact that they are ill equipped, psychologically or developmentally, to successfully handle it. It's absolutely understandable that parents worry about raising their child right amid the surge of family offering suggestions and the over supply of "How To Parent" books cluttering the shelves. In a blended family there are often competing views in the different households that further complicate the issue.
According to 2 parenting experts, Foster Cline and Jim Fay, who wrote the definitive parenting book, "Parenting with Love and Logic", the primary rules for successful parenting, starting with children as young as six months old, are:
1. Set definite restrictions with enforceable statements
2. Permit the child to make choices and experience natural consequences of his or her actions. "Consultant" is the name for this parenting method. It helps children understand how to think for themselves which serves as a great asset all throughout their lives.
When my granddaughter jumped from her father's home to her mother's, she would frequently get confused about the rules of behavior she was expected to live by for each home. Although she was able to get away with throwing tantrums and manipulating at her father's house, she encountered clear expectations and boundaries from her mom.
A kind reminder from her mom, like "Hmmm, I think you have forgotten about your choices in this home" would almost always result in a transformation from complaining and commanding to showing respect and adopting a cheerful attitude - her mother was shocked at what a difference choosing to be a consistent consultant made in the level of peace in their life, even when her father did not use the same strategy in his home.
It's never too early to start laying down boundaries and allowing kids to be taught from the consistant consequences of choices. The enjoyment of parenting involves a lot of practice. Here are some ideas that will help you set down foundations of raising responsible, intelligent, obedient children:
1. Consistent Bedtime- Choose a bedtime with a consistent routine that directs your child to her bedroom with the concrete expectation that she must stay there, settle down and fall asleep.
2. Family Meals- Schedule a weekly meal where everyone helps with preparation and clean up. Allow the youngest kids to choose from from a list of easy jobs to make them feel responsible and valued. Model and reinforce family table manners.
Every parent wants to bring up responsible, self-confident, happy children, and even though it can be hard to think about getting serious about this when they're cute babies or adorable, energetic toddlers, it is important to expose them to the logical consequences of their behavior. The moment they can comprehend the link between personal behavior and the reactions of their mother and father, it is time to start. This happens between the ages of seven and nine months.
NOTE: Use of this article requires links to be intact.
Emily Bouchard, has more than 18 years of experience in dealing with children and families to deal with adversity. She has a Master's Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor's degree in Child Development. She publishes a free Blended Families newsletter.
WNQA Articles:
How To Use Hypnosis For Weight Loss
So, you've decided to use hypnosis for weight loss. That's a good decision in itself. But where do you go from here? What's the best way to leverage the power of hypnosis to rid yourself of those extra pounds?
Six Steps to Weight Loss Success
What does it take to lose weight?When it comes to losing weight there is so much conflicting information out there that a lot of people just are not sure where to begin. There is an old saying that states "if you want learn how to get rich then hang out with rich people" Well, that old saying can also be applied if you want to lose weight.
Making the Food Pyramid Work After Weight Loss Surgery
A "normal-tummy" looks at the food pyramid from the bottom up – six to eleven servings of grains, then fruits and vegetables – then the protein groups: meat and beans and the milk group. The fats, oils and sweets are incidental.
Are supplements necessary for rapid and maximum weight loss?
A number of weight loss supplements are available in the market and helped hundreds of thousands of people in their weight loss programs. Supplements are intended to be added to the diet such that to make up for any vitamin mineral deficiencies. When the body receives all the needed nutrients, there will be much more willing to shed unwanted weight.
Star Gardening: A Guide To Gardening By Starlight
Gardening by the signs of the zodiac
Dont Be Misled. The Best Attitude and Action for Weight Loss
Weight loss can be one of the most difficult things to accomplish. Today's media and the marketplace can sometimes make the effort of weight loss even harder.
The Importance Of Frequent Logins In Online Dating
When you are trying to choose an online dating site for the first time, one thing you should pay close attention to is whether or not the site displays the ?last login? for each profile
While this may seem an insignificant stat to look at, let me spell out the reason I find it to be important
Eating To Beat Pregnancy Fatigue
Ask any pregnant woman who is in her first or third trimester how they are feeling and the answer will almost always be "tired". One of the first clues that many women have that they may be expecting a visit from the stork is the fact that they find themselves droopy eyed in the middle of the day for no reason.
Calcium - The Key To Quick Weight Loss
Are you dieting your way to bone loss?Are you aware that the diet you follow may be depleting your bones of essential nutrients and increasing your chances of developing osteoporosis? Popular diets may promise quick weight loss, but calcium and other important nutrients are often missing from the menu, which can lead to bone loss.And women who consistently limit what they eat to avoid gaining weight may undermine the health of their bones, according to a study by ARS researchers in California.
The Secret Key To Permanent Weight Loss!
With this key, I GUARANTEE YOU WILL LOSE ALL THE WEIGHT YOUR EVER WANTED TOO!Imagine yourself at your ideal weight. After all those years of trying to lose weight, you finally did it! You lost the weight! How would losing the weight change your life? Imagine it?How would you feel? Would you have more energy? Would you be healthier? Would you live longer? Would you act differently? How would it affect your job? Would you make more money? What would your family think? How would you look? What would your social life be like? Would you feel better about yourself? Would you be happier?Bottom line, how would losing weight change your life?Believe me you can do it if you use this secret key.
It's Gardening Season!
It's gardening season again! Are you ready? Whether you are a seasoned gardener, or are looking to start gardening, you will likely need supplies and plants. If you shop smart, and use the tips below, you can get that garden running with very little money.
Suffering from Irregular Menstrual Cycle
Are you suffering from irregular Menstrual Cycle problem? Most of us have missed a period one or another point. It has become common problem among most of us because of anxiety or tension. The irregular menstrual cycle is also depending on the pattern hormonal balance of woman has experiences in the past. Menses are nothing but the natural way of cleaning of the uterus and vagina of sperm and bacteria that are carried.
VitaDigest.com Direct Distribution of Over 5,000 Weight Loss and Sports Nutrition Supplements Announces An Instant 10% Savings
Shopping for your favorite supplement just got easier, thanks to VitaDigest.com, one of the Internet's leading retailers of name brand supplements and vitamins. VitaDigest.com offers visitors a variety of options for nearly every imaginable category of vitamin and supplement.
For a limited time VitaDigest.com is offering new customers a 10 percent discount off there first order till December, 2007. To take advantage of this offer new customers should enter the coupon code press10 at checkout.