It is sometimes difficult to be a strong parental figure, so it is important to adopt positive and encouraging approaches and techniques. The more you work at learning how to be a better parent, the more effective your child-rearing skills will become.

If you clear a spot on the kitchen countertop, next to the sink, you can lay your child on a towel there and wash his hair and scalp under the faucet. Over time, this may make a toddler more receptive to the idea of being submerged or doused with water.

It’s a good idea to keep regular mealtime and bedtime routines for your children when traveling. Infants and children are often very stressed by the disruption of schedules traveling causes. Maintaining bedtime rituals can provide comfort for your child in the unfamiliar space and can permit all of you to get the sleep you need.

Don’t let your child leave for school without reflective tape on his backpack. Put this tape on his clothes, too, for extra protection. This material also comes in velcro strips which makes it easy to put on and take off. This enables crossing guards and drivers to see your child more clearly and from a farther distance, particularly early in the morning when it is sometimes still dusky.

If there are children in the house, don’t smoke inside. In fact, consider simply quitting smoking for good. Exposure to secondhand smoke is almost as risky as the act of smoking itself. When children are exposed to second-hand smoke they may develop respiratory problems, like asthma or bronchitis.

Every child is completely different. A being a parent technique that worked perfectly on an older child may be useless with his or her younger sibling. Not only does this include rewards, but punishments as well. However, you should remember what worked on other children and try that first, before moving on to new methods if necessary.

If your baby is cutting a painful tooth, fill a mesh teether with carrots, cucumbers or pickles. There are many items your child could chew on like a teething ring, but a tasty item is much more likely to be gnawed upon. Your child will get better relief during the day if he can chew longer.

Hopefully this article has inspired you with some practical and sensible ideas for effectively being a parent your children. You may not know the answers to everything, but these resources can help you get some answers.