It is sometimes difficult to be a strong parental figure, so it is important to adopt positive and encouraging approaches and techniques. The more tools you have in your “being a parent arsenal” and the more education you have about age-appropriate behavior and milestones, the more effective of a parent you will be.

Consider the message that your child is receiving from you. Telling the truth will help you build trust with your child.

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. Doing this can help alleviate the anxiety countless toddlers have about being submerged underwater.

While it is important to spend time with your kids, you always need to set aside some time for yourself. Drawing and enforcing this boundary allows you to maintain your individuality while still being an excellent parent.

Never give any child under three years of age any type of soda to drink. Your young child should drink milk, juice or water to get the vitamins and nutrients he or she needs.

You can make a natural teether by putting carrots, pickles or a cucumber into a mesh teether to soothe a child who is teething. There are certainly other methods that work, but the odds of your child continuing to gnaw are best if tasty items are involved. The longer your child chews, the better they will feel throughout the day.

Children naturally seek independence. By assign chores to your children they will gain confidence. While unloading your dishwasher, let your child hand the spoons to you. When folding dry laundry, let your child sort some of the socks. These little tasks will help your child feel involved and responsible, while helping you out at the same time.

We’ve put together this collection of valuable ideas to help enhance your being a parent skills. No parent will have all of the answers, though all you need is access to all of the resources that do.