ways to be a better parent

Your toddlers mission in life is to gain independence. So when shes developmentally capable of putting her toys away, clearing her plate from the table, and dressing herself, let her. Giving a child responsibility is good for her self-esteem (and your sanity!).

Give young kids a chance to find their own solutions. When you lovingly acknowledge a childs minor frustrations without immediately rushing in to save her, you teach her self-reliance and resilience.

Enforcing limits is really about teaching kids how to behave in the world and helping them to become competent, caring, and in control.

Kids cant absorb too many rules without turning off completely. Forget arguing about little stuff like fashion choices and occasional potty language. Focus on the things that really matter that means no hitting, rude talk, or lying.

Let them choose the activity, and dont worry about rules. Just go with the flow and have fun. Thats the name of the game.

Get started when hes a newborn; babies love listening to the sound of their parents voices. Cuddling up with your child and a book is a great bonding experience that will set him up for a lifetime of reading.

Let your child choose an activity where you hang out together for 10 or 15 minutes with no interruptions. Theres no better way for you to show your love.

The greatest untapped resource available for improving the lives of our children is time with Dad early and often. Kids with engaged fathers do better in school, problem-solve more successfully, and generally cope better with whatever life throws at them.

Your children will probably not remember anything that you say to them, but they will recall the family rituals like bedtimes and game night that you do together.

Kids learn by watching their parents. Modeling appropriate, respectful, good behavior works much better than telling them what to do.