So often, the only training a parent has is of the on-the-job variety. You can check out some handy parenting tips in this article if you are ready to base your parenting skills on more than trial and error. Doing research allows you to be a confident parent who uses intuition and second-hand knowledge.

Preschool children often have difficulty in dealing with transitions. Directing their attention from one thing to another can be irritating for them, and they may have a tantrum as a result.

It is important for parents to stop themselves from trying too hard to influence which colleges their children select. When teenagers feel pressured and controlled, they will often times rebel and do the opposite of what they are supposed to.

Build some time away from your kids into your schedule. Ask a relative to take care of your children while you do something relaxing. When parents do not get a break from their children, they tend to become more stressed out, which in turns, causes tension throughout the whole house.

Regardless of their age, children who walk to or from school need to have retro-reflective material affixed to their person in a highly conspicuous spot, such as on their backpack or clothing. It is easy to attach and remove the material from these items when it is purchased as strips with Velcro backing. This material can improve your child’s safety when out on the road at night, reflecting their backpack off car lights.

Smoking with children in your home can really have negative consequences on their health, so try not to do it in your home. Actually, maybe you could quit completely! Secondhand smoke can cause just as many problems as smoking yourself. When children are exposed to second-hand smoke they may develop respiratory problems, like asthma or bronchitis.

If you want to keep toddlers and younger kids from getting bored and cranky on long car trips, make frequent rest stops. It may be tempting to get to your target destination quickly, but going at a leisurely pace will keep the fussing from the children to a minimum. Stopping to eat, or at a park to let the kids play will make the journey a little better.

If children are experiencing behavioral issues, a good strategy is to employ positive reinforcement for good choices. It is important to remember that some children are dealing with a lot of emotional baggage and may not know how to express themselves properly. Teaching them how to articulate those feelings properly is the ideal way to support them.

As shown in the above article, raising a child is more than just following your gut instinct. You need to make the decision that you are going to incorporate the strategies you have learned and become a better parent.