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How to Deal with Rebellion

July 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

 

Mella 

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Teenagers are famous for their ability to rebel against their parents in a variety of ways. This can be in the style of clothing they choose wear, music, friends, activities or even in daily behavior.

Parents can deal with rebellion first and foremost by understanding the phase of development that teenagers are going through.

Do not rely solely on things like adt home security to watch over what your teens are up to. This is a time when their emotions, body and thought process is changing on a daily basis. When you add in peer pressure and other obstacles, teenagers are dealing with quite a bit. Supporting your teen through this time is one of the best ways to help them get through it in a positive manner. Listening, accepting and communication are vital.

You can also be careful in which “battles” you choose to fight. A radical hairstyle may be frustrating to you, but keep in mind that the change is only temporary. Focus on the important things, such as making good decision while dating, the danger of peer pressure and talking with them about drugs and alcohol. These items are far more important than a temporary style switch when you can keep these things in perspective, your worries will subside somewhat.

Also, make sure that you are actively involved in both your child’s life and education. When you know what is going on each day, you can better combat such problems as bullying and depression. Many teens often hide these problems from parents, so early intervention is critical and being aware of them can make a huge difference in your child’s life.

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Effective Discipline from the Start

June 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Being able to effectively parent and administer discipline from the start can make a huge difference in your child’s life. When a child knows the limits and feels secure, he or she will be a more healthy adult.

The first step in effective discipline is the ability to stay calm and under control. Children are often very talented at pushing a parent’s buttons and getting them upset. When you reach this level, your ability to discipline the right way goes out the door. When you are calm, you can communicate clearly, are more patient and can make better decisions. You must also be willing to listen. When a child gets frustrated because you will not listen to his side of the story, things can quickly escalate. Taking the child’s point of view into consideration can help you to effectively explain things in a way he can understand.

You must also be willing to set boundaries and make tough decisions. You may want to be your child’s best friend, but you cannot always be his buddy. Parents have to make hard choices to limit their child’s behavior when he is not able to do so. Your child will respect you more for making the right choice and giving the guidance that he needs to improve his behavior. The other thing that goes hand in hand with this is the ability to communicate expectations clearly. Children need to know what is expected of them and to see those expectations on a consistent basis. When parents are able to do this, problems are alleviated and behaviors are easier to deal with.

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Picking the Perfect Pediatrician

June 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Finding the best pediatrician for your new baby can be a daunting task. When family and friends suggest their favorites, make a list of potential pediatricians and narrow it down to at least two. There’s no substitute for visiting the office personally and interviewing the pediatrician to learn more about his or her practice and philosophy. Keep in mind that you are the one hiring this person to care for your child.

Show up to the interview with specific questions. Make sure you’ve written these out ahead of time and come prepared to take notes. Some of the questions you may ask are:

  • Which hospital is the pediatrician associated with?
  • Do their office hours suit your schedule? Some parents require a doctor who has weekend availability.
  • Does the doctor correspond via email?
  • How would you reach the doctor after hours?
  • Does the office accept your insurance? Are their additional fees for advice calls, medication refills or any other services? Research using search engines like Canada 411 for current or previous patient reviews.
  • Are their separate well-baby and sick-children waiting areas?
  • What tests will the office staff perform on site and which ones need to be handled elsewhere?

You want to find out how involved the pediatrician will be on discussing your child’s growth, social development and discipline issues. Some spend more time on these discussions than others. Also, ask his or her views on breast-feeding, circumcision, alternative medicine and immunizations.

Being honest with yourself is also important. Did you feel comfortable speaking with the pediatrician? Was the staff helpful and the office clean? If they don’t live up to your expectations, change doctors.

 

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Forming a Positive Relationship with Your Child

May 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Children and parents can have a positive relationship when there is clear communication and trust between them. This starts with daily interactions at home.

When interacting with children, parents need to keep an open channel of communication and an atmosphere of trust. Children are more likely to communicate with parents when they feel that they will be listed to without anger. Parents should take a child’s point of view of a particular situation into consideration without jumping to conclusions too quickly. There should also be honesty about feeling when it comes to behavior and choices that are made.

Children should be taught to tell parents honestly how they feel and parents should do likewise. This helps to keep children from bottling up emotions that can later come out when not expressed. You can create a positive relationship by spending time with your child. Set up a family night each week where you and your child can interact without the television or other distractions to get in the way.

Do something that you both enjoy, eat a meal together and make it a relaxing atmosphere. This helps to reinforce to the child that he is loved, accepted and important within the family structure. This night should be set where everyone can be involved and when it does not conflict with a parent’s work schedule. The benefits you will see from this small activity will be huge. You can also help your relationship by asking your child to help with family responsibilities such as the budget, planning a vacation or with household responsibilities.

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