Guest Blogger/Post Kate from A Girl For All Time

Top 10 Tips Every Parent Should Follow

As parents, it is only natural that we all want to do a fantastic job of raising our children.  It takes great courage to be a parent, given the level of commitment and responsibility that is required of us.

We looked at ten top tips that won’t do the job for you, but will give you the confidence and the conviction to be the best parent you can be.

1. Relax

There isn’t a ‘right’ way to be a parent, so stop fretting about whether or not you are doing the ‘right’ thing. What works for some parents and children might not for others. Be confident that whatever works for you is the best thing to do.

2. Appreciate Play

You go to work every day, and probably take great pride in it. The time your children spend playing with their favourite dolls, for example, is their equivalent. Take the time to appreciate what they do, and spend time with them as they do it to aid social and emotional development.

3. Communicate

Speak, listen, and engage in non-verbal communication as much as possible. Smiles, hugs, waves, and games of ‘peek-a-boo’ are all great ways to ‘speak without speaking.’

4. Build Good Habits

Children are eager when they are young, so take the time at an early stage to build good habits, whether this is in the food they eat, the way they brush their teeth, or reading for 30 minutes before bed.

5. Encourage Questions

Children are curious by nature, and as a parent you can encourage this by answering all of their questions and helping them to build their understanding of the world around them.

6. Learn About Children

Understand how youngsters develop, why they do certain things, or what they need in order to flourish. Above all, recognise that your child is unique, and you know them better than anyone, or any book, ever will.

7. Promote Individuality

It is easy for parents to try and lead their children a particular route, especially when it comes to hobbies and interests. Support your child’s individuality, and encourage them to explore avenues even if they aren’t the ones you would ordinarily promote yourself.

8. Make Time for Family Activities

Modern life is busier than ever, and as such families can often resemble ships passing in the night, with parents coming and going to work and children at school or spending time with friends. Ensure there is a fixed period of each day or week where you commit to spending time together.

9. Follow Home Rules

It can be difficult to establish good behaviour patterns and rules if you have children of varying ages, however teenagers will have to be supportive of any initiatives you have in place in order to manage younger ones, for example an earlier bedtime.

10. Make Time for Yourself

Yes, parenting is a 24/7 job, but there are those precious moments when you can make time for yourself. Whether it is listening to music, catching up on sleep, or enjoying a coffee in town, even the small things will help to refresh and re-energise you.

A Girl For All Time are unique doll makers in the UK and US that provide quality collectible dolls for enthusiasts and collectors.

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Kate

Naughty Children

As we all try to do our best and make our way to the temple, life gets harder. Little things happen all around us and sometimes it can bring out the worst in you.
Kids are no exception. Our kids are fairly well behaved. They are however kids, and they were brought up in a semi-chaotic household. I mean I was a Navy Wife for 10 years... and I did my best, but it's not easy being a "single parent" for 90% of your marriage. It didn't help that their dad was always coming and going and doesn't have much patience.

But as usual, I'm rambling and getting off subject. *sigh*

So, our kids are for the most part, decent children. I can't complain too much. They really can be sweet. They can also act like little hellions and I wonder how could I, Miss Calm and Positive, have such rowdy little children? Then I remember that they have a father. *Big Evil Grin*

Lately, they have seemed a bit out of control. We have our usual battles of "I don't want to go to bed" Whininess, but it's but amplified the last 2 weeks. It's mainly the girls, Jeremy is knocked out by a sleeping pill. (don't judge me, it's Dr. prescribed and he desperately needs it for more than one reason)

Anyway, the girls share a room and they stay up laughing, talking, fighting, playing, etc. Tristan is 9 and she is our most responsible child. However, she constantly blames it on her little 5 year old sister, Jessica. "But Jessica was tickling me, but Jessica was talking to me, but......." This also happens when it comes time to clean their rooms. Jessica will say "But Tristan's not helping me clean." Tristan will say "But I didn't make the mess. I already cleaned up everything that is mine." HA! I try to have Tristan supervise Jessie and step her through what to clean up. I tell her that along the way she may be surprised to find something that she didn't realize was hers (hiding under Jessie's things) and she can put it away. I can actually SEE that there are clothes of hers, dirty towels, cups, etc.

It's frustrating.. they can't find anything and they wonder why. Whenever I wash clothes... I often feel that I'm washing clean clothes that they were too lazy to put away, so they stuck in the dirty clothes bin. That thing fills up daily! Jeremy is guilty of that as well.

So again, lately it just seems like they are listening less and less.. things that they were getting better at, they're slipping. They are fighting a lot more.

Last night I was drifting off to sleep only to be awoken by 2 noisy girls. They are now grounded from TV, Computer/Laptop and Wii!

Funny thing is though, that they are aware. The other day Jeremy did something or said something that wasn't very nice. Tristan said "We're going to the temple soon, I really don't think you should be doing that."

Jeremy has told me a few times... "Mom, I have the Holy Ghost now, I wouldn't do that!"