If your child awakens before you do, you can be sure he’ll come and wake you up. He’s excited about the new day and he wants to share it with you. If you’d like to add a few precious minutes of sleep to your morning, here are some steps you can take: • First, be […]
Children should not be allowed to interrupt brief visits by your friends. After an initial greeting and some brief attention, your child should not be allowed to crawl on guests, or to interrupt the adult conversation. Your friends will appreciate your taking a stand about this. • First, clarify your expectation for your child. “Please
A spoiled child makes unfair demands on others, doesn’t respond to “no”, and constantly wants an adult to entertain him. The spoiled child gets his way with whining and tantrums. Spoiled children aren’t happy because they don’t get along well with age mates or grown-ups. The main cause is leniency and giving in. The opposite
Don’t be afraid to say “no” to your child. Children need limits. If you don’t make the rules, your child will. Left to their own devices, most children will spoil themselves, so start rules to protect your sanity by four months of age. Have rules for safety by eight months of age. Gradually add rules
You’re trying to leave for work, a dental appointment, or an errand, but your child isn’t dressed. What to do about this procrastination? ⢠First, give your child ten minutes warning before departure. Use a kitchen timer and encourage her to beat the timer. Always praise her for being ready early or on time. â¢
Passive smoking refers to the smoke your child inhales by living in a household with people who smoke. If one parent smokes, that’s equivalent to your child smoking 30 or 40 cigarettes per year. Children of smokers have an elevated blood nicotine level. I’m sure you’re well aware of the fact that smokers cough and
Over eating and under exercising are habits that children pick up early in life. With each passing year they’re more difficult to change. The easiest years for helping a child maintain a healthy weight are during the first five years because you have almost complete control over his diet. First, keep snacks to two per
Feelings about nudity vary from family to family. Exposure to nudity with siblings or the parent of the same sex is fine and probably will continue indefinitely in locker rooms and so forth, but nudity with the parent or sibling of the opposite sex probably should be phased out between the ages of four and
Does your child dread going to the doctor’s office? If so, the following tips may make it easier: • First, schedule an appointment at a time your youngster won’t be needing a nap. Also, feed him beforehand so he won’t be hungry. • Second, bring a stuffed animal, security blanket, pacifier, or snack with you
We need to teach our children not to hurt other children. Hitting, slapping, pinching, scratching, shoving, knocking down, hair pulling and biting are all unacceptable behaviors. Clarify for your child, “We don’t hit. We don’t hurt people. Disagreements are settled by talking, not hitting.” If children do fight, respond swiftly: • First, intervene at the
