With the advancement of technology today, it is difficult to keep away our children from it. There are tons of apps that are available for them to access. They can download it from Google Play for Android and App Store for iOS. There is a way to turn this technology to our advantage when it comes to raising our kids. We could download games and apps to help our children learn numbers, shapes, colors, sizes, alphabets, phonetics, and many more.
Parents could relate to hearing “Tell me a story” before bedtime. It is never too old or boring for kids to listen to a story of adventure and fantasy from mom and dad. It is, in fact, a great way to bond and develop comprehensive skill, vocabulary, and imagination of the kids.
One of the most exciting feelings we could ever experience is awaiting a new-born baby’s arrival at home. Everyone in the family must be ready and thrilled to see and touch your angel. The grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives are all lining up to find out from whom your baby got his eyes and lips.
Are you confused with what to feed your toddler? Are you have a difficult time knowing the kinds of food that they can eat? Do you have any questions when it comes to your kid’s eating habits? Do you want to learn how to do it the right way? If yes, then consider yourself lucky because we have decided to come up with a list of practical suggestions for all moms out there.
We understand that caring for a toddler is not an easy thing to do. There are lots of challenges that come up, especially when it comes to feeding a toddler. Check this for the list of suggestions to follow:
Always Go For Healthy Options
Obviously, you need to make an effort to ensure that your kid follows a healthy lifestyle. Start early by training him to enjoy eating vegetables. Avoid food products known for being high in fat or cholesterol. At the same time, do not buy baby food items that have too many preservatives. Go for those that are rich in vitamins.
Make Mealtimes Pleasant
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Find the perfect time to feed your toddler. It is necessary that you make his mealtime relaxing on his part. This is an excellent way of making him interested in eating his food. Try to eliminate distractions when he is eating. Otherwise, he will end up ignoring you or the food that you want him to consume. If your kid has a low appetite, try to use fun utensils to get his attention.
Set A Schedule
The next thing to do is to make it a habit to feed your kid at a particular time every day. Develop a system so that everything will become easier on your part. To determine the perfect schedule, you may need to find out what is the sleeping time of your toddler in the morning as well as in the afternoon. Be sure to take your time in choosing the right schedule to avoid making mistakes.
Go For Small Portions
One of the most significant errors that most parents make is thinking that their toddlers want to eat a lot. Well, this is a misconception because kids with ages 1-4 are not big eaters. They may be picky regarding the food intake, but they will always consume only a small amount of food served. For this reason, it now becomes necessary for you to always go for smaller portions whenever you would feed them.
Avoid Sweets
While your child is still at a tender age, it is highly recommended to train him in avoiding sweets. It is significant to point out that sugar can lead to severe illnesses such as diabetes. It can also trigger some medical complications. Because of these, you need to be extra careful in planning the meals for your toddler. Keep them away from chocolates and candies.
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Take your toddler’s mealtime a particular bonding moment for both of you. Make every moment count. Remember that time flies fast. Before you know it, your two-year-old has already transitioned into a teenager.
Parents are always concerned about their child’s welfare; thus, they should be aware of some of the most common diseases affecting children.
Common Cold
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Expect common colds to happen up to five times a year. The standard remedy for cold is to treat mild fever, congestion, cough and sore throat with plenty of fluids and rest. Certain drugs bought over the counter like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can aid in the management of fever. Always follow the direction carefully and seek your child’s pediatrician if the child is less than six months old. According to pediatricians, parents should avoid giving cough and cold medicines. The dosage is frequently confusing and can lead to an overdose, and the effectiveness is debatable. Use a saline spray to provide moisture in nasal passageways and aspirator to evacuate excess mucus. A cool-mist humidifier can help in congestion. Expected recovery is five to 7 days.
As a mom, I also have issues with my child for being so stubborn. He always makes himself free of any consequences because he knows I can entirely lose control over his unhappy reactions. I admit, I often fall in his trap because I have so much faith in him that he will change for the better. However, a kid will always be a kid. Somehow it makes me think, is he really under four years old because he seems to know what exactly he wants. He is an expert in manipulation because there is no way he can end up paying for his misbehaviors.
But as soon as I try and observe the ways of my kid, I begin to understand things. Positive parenting is not always about following a perfect disciplinary plan and action. Sometimes, as parents, all we need is a considerable amount of compassion and empathy for our little ones. With that mentality, I can say I now have a better version of my kid. So how did I do it? Here’s how.
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Tips And Guidelines
I was not able to notice that too many activities made my kid feel exhausted all the time. I was not aware that it is the number one reason for his stubbornness. After knowing that, I created a routine that helped in lifting his physical, emotional, and mental strength. I incorporated lots of sleep and regular meal time on his schedules. I made sure he exercise and play outside, as well. Soon after the changes, I noticed my kid’s positive behavior towards different tasks. He now has focus and motivation. He now listens to opinions and is open to suggestions. “It increases their sense of security because they know what’s coming next,” says Jean M. Thomas, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, in Washington, D.C. “The more secure toddlers feel, the more they can focus on things like learning, exploring, and playing.”
Engaging in an argument with a kid is one of the most distressing things that can happen in a household. That is because children know they are kids; there is the persistence of getting what they want. In the case of my kid, I gave him what he wants. However, I made sure always to provide two choices. This type of strategy made my child think about his demands thoroughly. He became more focused on thinking about positive consequences instead of the negative ones. Choosing between two options made him realized to decide between two things only. That is to have something, and not to have anything at all. “It is a good idea for parents to change their behavior first and not wait until the child does what the parent wants.” Kyle D. Pruett M.D. wrote.
After I realized that I was not able to provide quality time with my child, I began to change terms with my priorities. I engaged in a meaningful conversation with my kid and made sure there is a warm connection between us. I made sure that his concerns are well-answered and that his demands are well-acknowledge. I made sure that his good deeds are appreciated. “Kids tend to open up a little bit more when there’s not a direct eye contact,” says Megan A. Mooney, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and president elect at the Texas Psychological Association in Cedar Park, Texas. Soon after that, my kid began to love working with other people. He showed compassion toward other people’s incapability to do things. He became helpful and considerate of other’s needs.
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Sometimes, we parents do not often see that our child’s stubbornness is not at all inborn. Usually, it is our fault that our kid turns out like that. So before we judge our child’s actions and behavior towards the things around him, let us evaluate how we are as moms.
Yearning to have an amicable and trusting connection with your doctor, financial adviser, or your lawyer as they guide you through crucial, challenging life situations is similar to the principle that applies to your kid’s college counselor.
College counselors are responsible for guiding you, and your high schooler through the rough college admission process, which is why not behaving badly and instead creating a positive and robust relationship with your child’s college counselor is essential.
By following these recommendations, complexities of forming a beneficial relationship can become much less gruesome.
Treat The Counselor As A Qualified Professional
College applications are brimming with arcane requirements and regulations that counselors exert time studying and imparting every detail to their students, which is why the counselor position exists.
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Current information regarding financial assistance, application procedure, financial aid, and whatever’s in-between is also beneficial. Aside from carrying out school documents, the counselor is also partly responsible for drafting the institution’s overall assessment of every student. There are a lot of obligations that need to be fulfilled by the counselor even after being constantly reminded. Exhibiting admissive or domineering attitude towards your child’s counselor only depreciates your interactions.
“There is a tremendous lack of services in colleges and universities: On college campuses, the ratio of certified counselors to students overall is about 1:1000 – 2000 for small to moderate size schools, and 1:2000 – 3500 for large universities.” Eugene Beresin M.D., M.A. wrote.
College Counselors Are Friends, Not Foes
Both you and the counselor want what’s best for your child’s school welfare; both of you hope that the eventuality of searching for colleges would turn out successful. There will be moments when the counselor has to divulge painful news like the small likelihood of not being admitted to the college of choice or the reality that your child’s selection of courses may invalidate him or her from specific tiers of universities. Treat that honesty rendered by the counselor as information and not as a form of judgment, then proceed from there. “It’s tempting to be a helicopter parent, but this isn’t the healthiest approach.” Mike Brooks Ph.D. says He adds, “Parenting is a balancing act. There is not a playbook that can tell us exactly what to do on every step of the parenting journey. We want our kids to grow up to be successful and happy. ”
Get To Know Your Child’s Counselor
Make an appointment immediately by directly introducing yourself and casually talking to him or her. This type of meeting can be with or without your child’s presence; it’s ultimately a way to get to know each other without having any urgent dilemmas to deal with. On the other hand, if you or your child have preliminary concerns or special circumstances that must be dealt with, mentioning them during casual visits can be done. Having your initiative to kickstart the process and keep the relationship leveled will alleviate any tension and form a professional bond between you and the counselor. Don’t wait until a crisis is at hand to reach out and talk with the counselor.
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Respect And Appreciate The Counselor’s Attention And Time
Schools have dedicated enough resources to have counselors that are mainly focused on diligently working to keep track of student caseloads which range up to hundreds. These counselors are mostly welcoming in answering inquiries via email and phone calls during working hours; therefore, make the most of this hour to get in touch with them. Marty Nemko Ph.D. explains its importance, “The counselor efficiently helps the client with the relevant issues. In the case of a career counselor or coach, it might include choosing a career, identifying strengths and weaknesses to mention in applying for jobs, negotiating compensation, or helping them succeed on the job.”
That said, you have to be aware that college applications are not life-threatening emergencies that require midnight calls especially at their homes. As much as possible, set aside your essential queries in the morning and thwart the urge to call your child’s counselors after work and especially during the weekends. Also, if you sent an email in the evening, don’t expect that you will receive an immediate response no matter how urgent your concerns are. Don’t worry. Counselors usually respond the following day.
Building a pleasant relationship with your teen’s college counselor requires sufficient amount of time, but once you have strengthened those ties, you’ll be grateful to have someone who is knowledgeable and supporting until success on both sides is met.
As a mom, we often tell ourselves that we know our kids better than others. That is because aside from carrying them for nine long months, we got to take care of them until they learn to walk and talk. We believe that we know better because these children share our same genes and all. But regardless of the entire viewpoint we have, our kids will have this intractable attitude. No matter how calm and open we are about their needs; these little ones will still have a false sense of power over us. Since not all of the children are the same, let us try and understand the different types of children tenacity.
The Stubborn
It is a type of children’s attitude where listening is never an option. These kids get often focused on what they want, and they disregard parenting rules. Stubborn kids know the consequences of their actions. However, they care less of it since they know they can always get away with their misbehavior. They often make people around them, upset every time they are displeased and disappointed. It is as if they want the whole world to suffer every time they are in anguish. These kids are way too susceptible that sometimes even the slightest of things become a big deal for them. They often isolate themselves, and they never accept that they are wrong. They believe that punishment is inappropriate because they assume that everything they are doing is part of their development.
“There are times when we might decide that force is warranted. For instance, most parents have forced a resistant child into a car seat. So, I’m not saying that you won’t, at times, decide that you need to use force. The key is to keep those times to a minimum, because every time we use force, we’re creating pushback later. So if you’re doing this daily, it’s a signal that you need to rethink the situation,” wrote Laura Markham, PhD.
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The Headstrong
Children with a headstrong attitude believe in one thing – themselves. These little kids think they are always in charge of everything. They do not follow the rules because they feel they are the rules. They do not consider others feelings because these kids believe theirs are much more critical. They are often aggressive, and they take things by force too. These kids get easily angry and agitated, as well. In some unfortunate cases, headstrong children get regarded as disrespectful ones because of their dominant attitude towards adults and peers. These children want everybody to agree with them always and will show tantrums when people will not cooperate and go against them.
“Sometimes parents avoid giving strong-willed kids consequences because they don’t want to deal with the aftermath. But strong-willed kids need to develop an understanding of when their behavior crosses the line,” says Amy Morin, LCSW.
The Closed-Minded
Kids that are close-minded causes parent’s to a power struggle. They have this lack of concern towards the things around them. These kids do not show empathy to their friends and siblings and only listens to their parents when they think they have to. These types of children are often smart in creating excuses in spite of whatever circumstances. They listen to their opinions only and do not accept and believe in constructive criticism. They are often selfish and irrational. They think they are smart enough to win an argument with friends, siblings, and even their parents.
Laurie Hollman, PhD, advises parents to “trust your child’s opinions, ideas, thoughts, choices, and want very much to hear them before you throw in your ideas and suggestions. Listening first before you offer any of your own opinions or solutions often leads to your child coming up with his or her own good judgments.”
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Kids’ attitude is something that parents should watch out. If in case it is getting obvious, they should change their parenting way. Because in the end, those children’s misbehavior will become a reflection of failed parenting.
One of the major concerns of every mother is pre-school. It may be terrifying to think that you would send your kid to school, especially when you are not sure about what to do. Take note this is a significant milestone for your child, which is why you have to exert some efforts in making his first in pre-school extra-special. Do not worry because we have come up with a list of ideas that can help you survive the day:
Let Them Know What To Expect
Always keep in mind that the school environment and the people in it are new to your kid. As such, you need to inform them ahead of time about specific expectations. As much as possible, let them know the things that may happen while they are on the school campus. The act of this can help them adjust quickly to this new area in their life. When this happens, you will feel more accomplished as a mom. “In toddlerhood, children are trying to be independent. There’s a lot they want to do, yet they can’t quite do it.” Dr. Susan Campbell explains.
Avoid Overthinking
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For sure, you want this day to be perfect. This is a typical thing for every mom. However, once you start to stress yourself out about the first day of pre-school, then there is something wrong with you. Avoid overthinking as it can only make you feel exhausted. Instead, try to relax. When you can keep calm in different situations, you would be able to handle issues right away and with efficiency.
Have A Schedule
Prepare your kid for this important day in his life by training him to follow a schedule. For example, set a specific time of the day when they have to go to sleep. Conversely, inform them about the wake-up time during the weekdays. It is necessary that he is aware of the importance of waking up on time for his pre-school class. Take note that it can be very stressful on your part if your child wakes up late. “Consistency is key for preschoolers”, says pediatrician Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann
Always Communicate
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Talk to your child before and after his first day in school. Learn about his thoughts and emotions about taking this milestone. Try to determine whether or not he is excited to meet new friends in school as well as to learn new lessons. As a mother, it is necessary that you establish a close connection with your kid. This is crucial so that he would feel comfortable in opening up to you. Reading is one of hobbies you should establish with your child. “The most important language stimulation we can provide to our infants and toddlers is reading to them”, says Pamela High, M.D., FAAP
Show Up Early
Do not rush. Take it slow. Relax. Breathe. Remind yourself that every single thing is going to be okay. The best thing to do here is for you to send your child to school at least thirty minutes earlier than the scheduled start time for the classes. The purpose for this is for you to prepare the child for anything. Aside from this, it is also a great way to see to it that everything is in order. Most importantly, take it as an opportunity to meet new moms who are feeling the same emotions that you have in your system.
Enjoy the first day of your kid’s pre-school by following the tips listed above!
Kids are not all sweet and charming. We can all agree to that. There are times that they can be so mean, irrational, and very annoying. But what is making the most fuss in parenting is these little ones’ stubbornness. It is as if these kids have control of the world. They do not follow the rules, they ignore consequences, and they don’t listen. But do not worry. There are ways to help moms with dealing with these rascals.
Positive Parenting Tips
Learn To Stay Calm – Yes, one of the best things that moms can do is to stay calm. Since kids’ are not good at regulating their emotions, mothers should not allow their kids’ mood to control theirs. Parents should always have to be in charge of everything. That is especially when it comes to disciplining kids and administering rules. “A calm body is a calm mind. Not the other way around, as most people believe.” says Gayatri Devi, MD. Parents must understand that the quickest way to make stubborn children to listen is to give out a calm response. Taking a deep breath would be okay.
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Remember What To Control – Parents, though they are in an authoritative position, cannot always control things. That is the reason why they sometimes feel upset if they cannot control the little kids. With that, parents must learn to identify the things they can control so that they do not have to put too much power struggle. Remember that moms do not have to argue or convince them to follow specific rules. Mothers have to impose the rules, and that is it.
Try To Empower What Kids Control –Children are in charge of their choices. “Treat kids as the expert in their lives,” Phyllis Fagell, LCPC says But it does not mean parents have to give in to them. They still have the last words as parents and control permission. Empowering what kids control means parents should acknowledge their kids’ authority. They have to make sure that regardless of the children’s desire, the little ones are still aware of the consequences of their actions. Therefore, when something is against the rules, these kids must widely accept punishment. The whole idea is about letting the kids understand their responsibilities too.
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Consider Listening – Yes, instead of moms arguing with their kids, they must first try to listen. Stubborn kids get more engagement when there is an argument because it gives them a false sense of entitlement and power. With that, moms should not get drawn into it. Parents should not allow the little ones to control the adults. Because if they do, these stubborn children will have the confidence in doing things they want without considering anything. Not even rules, punishments, and as well as other people’s feelings will have a value to these kids.
“The most important way to talk so your child will listen is to listen to your child,” says New York City psychoanalyst Gail Saltz, MD, author of several books, including Getting Smart About Your Private Parts. “If they feel listened too, they are more likely to be able to listen and will feel more understood, have more trust, and be more interested in what you have to say.”
When children are in a bad mood, it becomes normal for moms to become angry too. But that should not suppose to happen. Instead, they must focus on empathy. It is by understanding the kids’ feelings. Dealing with stubborn children requires a different parenting dynamic. So instead of trying to build control over the kids, why not use themselves as a model for learning?
