Few things are more exhilarating than the prospect of bringing up your own child. Below you will find a wide variety of tips to help you in the mysterious art of being a parent.

Make some space on your kitchen counter, set your child on a towel and run water over his hair and scalp. This makes things easier for toddlers who do not like to have their heads dunked in the water or have water poured on them.

If you bring a small child along on your travels, try to eat and go to bed at about the same time he does at home. Children find travel stressful, and this is particularly true in the case of infants. When you keep them in their proper bedtime routines and mealtimes, you will help them adjust better to the different environments they are in. This will keep them happy so you can relax and get the sleep you need and they need as well.

Parents with teenagers trying to decide on what college to attend, should not pressure them to choose the college parents want them to go to. Teenagers do not like being told what to do so they may choose the complete opposite out of spite.

Don’t let a kid younger than four drink any sort of soda. Concentrate on offering your child beverages that include vitamins and other nutrients, such as water, sugar-free juices and milk.

When your family rules are termed with positive vocabulary, it reinforces peace over conflict and encourages your children to coexist. For example, instead of making a rule against hitting, make a rule that only allows hugging.

When you first have children, form good habits and make it your top priority to take care of yourself. Despite what crazy events occur throughout the day, always take some time alone to be by yourself and relax, step away from the world and its worries. Not only will it make you feel better, but it will also make your children happier.

Keep rotating toys so your toddlers do not get bored with what they have. Usually a toddler will quit paying attention to a toy, unless it’s one of their favorites. This will save you the expense of buying new toys regularly and your child will have more fun discovering and rediscovering toys.

Think of the insights here as stepping stones to building a child-rearing experience that is positive for both you and your child. You also need to realize that raising a child isn’t the same for each person or even different children. There is no established way to do one thing the “right way”. Use what advice pertains to you, and do whatever seems to work for you. Children grow up fast, so take advantage of the exciting times you and your child will spend together.