Being a parent is one of the most rewarding aspects of life, and learning the basic skills to do it well will make it even more so. This article can offer you some common sense advice on how you can make the job a little easier and help you find that you have a lot of joy along the way.

You need to make a clean space on the counter where your child can lay. Allow your child to hold their head over the sink while you run water over it. For many young children, this practice will be less fearful for them because they won’t have to worry about having water dumped over their heads or having to dunk their heads under water.

Avoid smoking in your home. In fact, why not quit smoking altogether? Secondhand smoke affects health just as much as firsthand. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at risk of developing respiratory diseases like bronchitis, asthma and even pneumonia.

If your children fight and have trouble getting along, try to develop a set of rules for your family that are set out in positive language. For instance, instead of saying “no hitting” as a rule, you can reposition it as “always be gentle when touching”.

It is natural for children to crave independence, so assigning chores and responsibilities around the house boosts their confidence. Having your child help you unload a dishwasher is a good idea. Children enjoy helping with laundry so let them fold towels or socks. Small tasks help them feel like they’ve being independent, and they’ll be helping you out at the same time.

If your child has ADHD or a similar condition, it is important that you keep him or her busy. Energetic children such as these will look for things to do and perhaps act out. By taking your child out to the park, going on bike rides, engaging in active sports or performing other energy burning tasks you will lessen unwanted behaviors.

You need to realize that not every child is outgoing. A lot of children are actually really shy, and there is nothing wrong with that. You should, however, make sure your child isn’t unusually withdrawn. Consider taking your child to their doctor or to a therapist to ensure there isn’t something more problematic at the heart of their antisocial behavior.

As this article has described, well prepared parents find more joy in being a parent and see it as less of a chore. There is nothing wrong with following the advice of those who have been through similar problems before and building on their success. So go ahead and implement these tips!

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