Sep
25
Get Your Son Or Daughter to Quit The Thumb Sucking Habit: Essential Parenting Tips
Filed Under Parent Resources, Parenting By Age, Parenting Reports, Quick Tips, Toddler | Leave a Comment
Thumb sucking is a concern lots of parents have. Toddlers suck their thumbs because it’s calming and comforting. It’s probably something they did before they were born and revert back to it when they are nervous, agitated, scared or feeling poorly. They may also use it to lull themselves back to sleep in the middle of the night.
Parents shouldn’t concern themselves unless it continues after the age their permanent teeth begin to appear, around six years old. Experts say that it’s the intensity of the thumb sucking and the tongue’s thrust that deforms teeth and makes braces necessary later. Children who rest their thumb passively in their mouth are less likely to have difficulty than kids who suck aggressively. If you’re concerned, closely monitor your son or daughter and analyze their technique. If they appear to be sucking strongly, you may want to begin curbing their habit.
Punishing or nagging your son or daughter to stop won’t help because it’s usually an automatic response. Attempting to curb it by putting an elastic bandage on their thumb or another method will seem like an unjust punishment, especially as they indulge in the habit for comfort and security.
Try to wait it out. Children usually give up thumb-sucking when they’ve found other ways to calm and comfort themselves. Consider offering them other alternatives to comfort themselves such as a soft blanket or lullaby toy.
The key is to notice when and where they are likely to suck their thumbs and offer an alternative. If it happens while they are tired, try giving more naps. If they suck their thumb often while watching television, try to distract them with a toy that will keep their hands occupied.
Older children may need gentle reminders to curtail thumb sucking while in public, and praise should be given freely when the child finds and uses an acceptable alternative. Your child’s pediatric dentist can offer other suggestions for helping your son or daughter kick the thumb sucking habit.
If there is one stage of child development that seems to fill many parents with dread then it has to be toilet training. I think this originates from our own parents and grandparents telling us tales of woe about their own experiences of toilet training their children. But that was ages ago and knowledge about child development has grown dramatically. That means that your experience of toilet training can be very different from that of your mother or grandmother. The key is to follow a reputable toilet training program. And that actually starts well before you introduce your child to a potty. Check out the following article for further advice
tips for toilet training boys
And the guidance applies equally well whether you are toilet training a boy or girl.
Jun
18
Better Behavior for Kids
Filed Under Parent Resources, Preschoolers, Toddler | 1 Comment
I’ve come across a website that has a wonderful new approach to bettering your child’s behavior. My 4 year old seems to be in a tantrum phase, so I could really use some help! I’ve ordered one of these unique behavior wheels and I can’t wait for it to arrive. Your child actually HELPS you decide on the punishment they should receive for common behavior problems! It is even customizable if you need help for a specific challenge your child is having problems with.
I will update you all when I’ve received it and have started using it. I just couldn’t wait to share it with you though since it really sounds like a unique and helpful tool!
Why Spank When You Can Spin?
The Better Behavior Wheel is an upbeat, fun, and totally unique approach
to child behavior management that’s delighting parents everywhere.
If you have kids, you NEED the Wheel!
Jun
12
Saying Yes to Your Kids
Filed Under Quick Tips, Teens | Leave a Comment
Quick Tip - Teen parenting advice:
“The next time your child asks you something that ordinarily would respond in a hearty, NO, stop and remember this axiom of parenting… “Say no when you have to and yes when you can.” For instance, let’s say Jane wants to dye her hair a lovely shade of fuchsia. She’s got the money to do it and “all my friends are doing it, too.” Now, you know that more than likely she’s going to hate it, and you will probably hate it, too. But think about it… Is this an action that is going to cause her any kind of physical harm? Will it have a long-term impact on her mental health? Some of her peers will likely make fun of her, but she can always dye her hair back, or wait for it to grow out. Think of it as a learning experience. Not every general wins every battle. The goal is to win the war… to turn out a basically good kid who has the tools to be healthy, happy and gainfully employed eventually. And every good general knows sometimes you have to give up some less important ground in order to achieve victory in the long run. Sometimes it can even be fun to give in on something silly. Maybe it’s having dessert before dinner, or letting them stay up late on a school night to watch a movie with you that you can talk about the next day.”
-Kelly P.
Now Personally, My son’s only 4 so I don’t know I will feel when he’s a teen, but I think the outrageous hair color would not be something I could handle, but the principle is the same. Your focus is to win the war not the battle. You want your teens to learn to make correct choices later in life, so they need to experiment with smaller decisions on their own as a teen (and learn that sometimes they might regret quick decisions). Otherwise they won’t know how their decisions will effect them when they make big choices.
Jun
7
School Trouble for Teens
Filed Under Quick Tips, Teens | Leave a Comment
For the teenager who is doing poorly in school, start going to school with them. That means attending all classes and lunch. Your child will definitely take a whole new approach to school. This works for pre-teens as well. Most teachers appreciate this, and are glad you are taking an active role in your child school work and discipline issues.
I have a friend that went to school with her 13 year old daughter for one week straight. SHe went to each class and went to lunch with her. Not only did her grades improve, but her mom was able to see just what her ADHD diagnosed daughter went through in class. She noticed all the distractions she faced in school and they both tried to come up with ways to improve her concentration together.
Take the time to see what your children face, if you don’t embarrass them to death, you may have new appreciation for each other.
May
27
It’s really tough being a first time parent. You constantly question your own judgment, yet at the same time you think you know what’s best. Weird huh? When my son was born I was an expert on him from day 2…on day 1 I was still unsure why they would let me leave the hospital with full responsibility of this new life when I could barely even stay awake.
I had many questions, and still do. I called my mom in a panic many a time. I figure I’m still alive so she must have done something right, and maybe she has the answer.
I wish I could tell you it gets easier…it doesn’t. My son is 4 now and I’m just as clueless as before. Only now I have new worries and issues to deal with.
That’s why I only take it one day at a time.