If you dedicate yourself to understanding the best techniques, you can truly love being a parent. In this article you will find some very solid advice on how to make child-rearing a little less daunting and a lot more joyful.

All you need is a clear kitchen counter and a rolled-up towel. Put the towel on the counter and put your child on it so that his head is under the sink faucet. Then turn on the faucet to run water over his hair. Over time, this may make a toddler more receptive to the idea of being submerged or doused with water.

If you are going on a trip with a young child, keeping their routines for bedtimes and eating will help them enjoy themselves more. Young children, infants in particular, find traveling to be quite stressful and upsetting. Upholding bedtime rituals can make the experience far more pleasant for yourself and your child.

Transitions are hard on preschoolers. An abrupt switch from on activity to the next can induce stress, and it will end in a melt down.

If children live in your home, avoid smoking in the house. In fact, why not quit smoking altogether? Secondhand smoke is as damaging as actually smoking. Second-hand smoke exposure can lead to asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems for children.

No two children are the same. Techniques that have worked with some children may not work with others. This applies to rewards as well as to punishments. Do not try to follow a cookie cutter format when raising your children, instead experiment to find what works best for them and you.

Establishing clear rules stated in positive language for family members to follow can be quite helpful in reducing conflict and helping your kids get along. For example, instead of “no hitting,” opt for “only touch gently.”

Make taking care of yourself a priority when you have children. No matter what is going on during the day, give yourself a few minutes to relax and become re-energized. The entire family will be much happier.

What makes the difference between enjoying the child-rearing experience and enduring it, is the knowledge of the subject you acquire and the skills you practice. You should never be embarrassed to turn to another person for advice or look for suitable role models for raising a child insight. So go ahead and implement these tips!