Parenting For Dummies

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Some people say that the parenting game never ends. After all, it would be nice to have an answer to the question, At what age will my children be completely independent? Alas, the answer is, Never. WordsOfWisdom Five basic skills are involved in The Parenting Game. When you master these skills, you should be able to handle most situations that arise. The five basic skills are My house doesn’t have to be picture-perfect (or spotless) to ensure that my baby has a wonderful childhood.

Having patience really means planning ahead, understanding the way children operate, and understanding your own issues and problems enough so that you can recognize that the things kids do that bug you are actually your own problems. They are just being kids and are programmed to do and act a certain way. Patience actually means understanding these things ahead of time and working with the situations that you find are bugging you. Don’t say, Do that one more time and you’ll regret it. It sounds nice because it gives you an out; you’re not bound to do anything linked to that threat. But it’s better if you say instead, If you choose to do that one more time, then I’m not allowing AJ to spend the night tonight. Then if the child chooses to do the dastardly deed one more time, your follow-through is to say, You chose to do (whatever). Because you made that choice, AJ doesn’t get to spend the night. Then follow through by not allowing AJ to spend the night. bullet Understanding that kids are kids and are designed to behave the way they do. Your caterwauling or bullying them otherwise is futile. A question commonly posed is, "When is my child old enough to begin hiking and camping?" The answer depends on your child. No two personalities are the same; no two children the same. What may work for one family may not work for another. Covering information for newborns to pre-teens, Parenting For Dummies gives you the essentials of parenting basics. From dealing with a crying baby and potty training, to building self-esteem and dealing with sibling rivalry, it offers a gold mine of up-to-date advice.I can’t think of anything or anyone more entertaining than children. They’re simply funny. They’re goofy. Perhaps that’s why so many good books, movies, and even comic strips are based on children and the things they do. Humor can be found in everything, although it may not be obvious to you when it happens. The basic rules of communication are that you be specific about what you want and that you don’t babble when you say it. Your baby’s first year is a time of wonder, joy, and uncertainty. You’ll learn not to panic every time your baby cries, but there are times when your bundle of joy needs a doctor’s attention right away. Kids aren’t born politically correct. So, if you have any tendencies toward political correctness, now is the time to face reality and get over them. Kids call poop what it is. They’re more than happy to explain it to you — repeatedly in great detail. The same is true of throw-up, barf, heave, and spit up. All are real things about which your kids are more than happy and willing to share their unique knowledge.

Your kids will do anything they can to get your attention. Even if that means negative attention. If you don’t spend time with your children and give them positive attention, they’ll do whatever it takes to get your attention. If they find that pouring water on the floor is what it takes to get you to spend time with them, they’ll do it. As small children, these acts are innocent enough. But as your children get older, they’ll do dangerous things, like drugs and alcohol. Finding Your Sense of Humor in the Lost and Found Being a good role model means no smoking, cursing, getting drunk, lying, cheating, crossing the street on a red light, stealing, yelling, ( think of your own nasty habit and enter it here), and so on. How do you get to the point where crying babies, poopy diapers that have overflowed onto your nice white Battenburg bedspread, being late, and a toddler who seems to be dragging his feet don’t bother you any more? These are the realities of kids, so how do you work with their reality so they don’t drive you crazy? Patience means: Being consistent sounds easy, like one of the easiest rules of The Parenting Game. But your kids have one up on you. They’re cute; they cry; they beg; tiny arms reach up; tear-filled eyes beg for mercy; and boo-boo lips protrude. But don’t give in. Be strong. Be consistent. Your kids really want that from you. They need it. They want to know the guidelines and they want you to be consistent about enforcing them.

If you’re calm, relaxed, and don’t overreact to broken dishes and other such events, your children are likely to be calm and relaxed. On the other hand, if you’re nervous and tense, your children are likely to be nervous and tense.

Guide. Adolescents (and some young adults) require yet a different kind of parent. No longer can you follow their every movement because adolescents take paths that you don’t see or know about. Your role and influence have narrowed. But narrow does not mean insignificant. You are like a guide whose expert advice in specialized areas can be immensely helpful to those who are lost or uninformed. So your task is to be the best guide you can be — wise and welcoming, strong and humble, grounded and content. You lead your own life, but you are also ready for the times when your children look your way or seek your advice on matters of grave importance. Learning the virtue of patience Ages 14-18: Distances up to 12 miles become reasonable in this age group. Terrain choices and goal setting can become more challenging, but the axiom remains the same: Any choice must be a group choice, or the parent risks making the children feel dragged along.Just because my child has crying jags (and/or doesn’t sleep through the night at 3 months), it doesn’t mean that I’m doing something wrong.