Parenting Infants and Toddlers

Toddlers are very active as they are experiencing the growing curve. As toddlers, they like to explore many things and are always in a quest of playing around with everything possible. Spending time with toddlers needs a lot of patience because this is the stage where they are trying to learn many new things.

Parenting toddlers is itself a challenging job and it is even more difficult if they are hyperactive. Toddlers often do many things intentionally. Toddlers intentionally misbehave sometimes to draw your attention.  You may notice your toddler throw a glass several times in spite of you opposing such act. This may cause a lot of irritation and frustration.  It is important to discipline your toddler.

Keep Your Hyperactive Toddler Busy

 Hyperactive toddlers have a lot of energy, and do not really understand how to use it. At this stage they end up doing something mischievous and at times dangerous. It is required to keep the hyperactive toddlers busy most of the time. One good way of handling your hyperactive toddler is by finding positive outlets for his/her energy instead of suppressing it. One also needs to divert toddlers from doing any inappropriate action intentionally. This can be best done by rhythmic sounds, or colorful toys or play in the outdoor.

Plan an Outdoor Activity with Your Toddler

Many toddlers these days are fond of going out of home. So they can be taken to a park to spend time running or playing along with other kids. This way they spend a lot of their energy and as a result are prepared to stay calm for the next few minutes. This also helps in keeping their mind fresh. At times distraction can be made with rhythm, so toddler can be allowed to play with toys that make sounds. Many toddlers are usually interested in colors, so they can be taught to paint or play with colors.

It is difficult but yet important to understand when a toddler is misbehaving because of hyper activeness or out of intention. In both the cases, consistent pattern of discipline is important. Toddlers need to be explained their boundaries and the rules. The process of disciplining your toddler starts by adhering to specific rules. These rules should be explained to the toddlers so that they are fully aware of what should be done and what should not be done.

Punishment should be Minimal  

If they misbehave after understanding such rules and boundaries, that would be intentional and can be punishable. Such punishment should be simple, only to the extent of making the toddler realize his/her mistake. Toddlers should be appreciated for their good behavior; this shall encourage them to behave properly and also reduces the time and effort in disciplining the toddler.

Preparing for a new born at home involves a lot of emotional thought. A couple expecting their first child may be very excited and also confused as to how to handle the newly born. Parenting is a huge responsibility and plays a vital role in the upbringing of the child therefore many researches were made on the different parenting approaches and different parenting styles. The parenting styles can broadly be classified as three: authoritarian parenting, permissive parenting and authoritative parenting.

Authoritarian Parenting Style

Authoritarian Parenting is the kind of parenting style that was mostly prevalent in the ancient times. The authoritarian parents are ones who have high expectations, talk much about discipline, are strict and in some cases over protective. They give little importance to what the child or children have to say. This parenting style results in the child become very adamant, low in self confidence, less creative and tuned to act as per instructions. This parenting style may also result in the child developing negative traits such as being disrespectful, abusive or indulging in other anti-social acts.

Permissive Parenting Style

Permissive Parenting is one of the different parenting approaches that best suits for encouraging creativeness and spontaneity in children. Parents using this parenting approach give importance to the reasons and thoughts of the children. They are patient enough to understand the child’s difficulty and also encourage their decisions. This parenting style helps boost the confidence levels of the child and also the decision making capabilities. Permissive parents are very supportive towards their children. Permissive parenting is not advisable for aggressive children. This parenting approach sometimes disables the judgment capabilities of children i.e they may not be able to make the right decisions.

Authoritative Parenting Style

Authoritative Parenting is a mix of both Authoritarian Parenting and Permissive Parenting styles. Authoritative Parenting is usually mistaken for Authoritarian Parenting but both are two different parenting styles. Authoritative Parents are neither very authoritative nor permissive. They listen to the child’s reasons and thoughts and guide them in the right manner. This parenting approach allows parents to understand their child very well as this enables them to talk and discuss all the issues pertaining to their child. Authoritative Parents maintain a friendly relationship with their children and encourage them in every stride of life. They also keep the authority of controlling the child when going in a wrong direction. This Parenting approach is said to be the best of all the three parenting styles.

Which Parenting Style Should You Adopt

Parenting is a continuous process till the child is mature enough to understand and handle the ways and means of life independently. Couples turning parents usually use the techniques that were followed by their parents or near ones. Parenting is usually influenced by the lifestyle of the parents, the traditions and rituals of the family, the social status etc. Most importantly the style of parenting needs to be chosen keeping in view the behavioral traits of the child.

No parent can maintain a single parenting style. Parenting keeps changing as per the age, actions and understanding of the child. The best parenting style is the one where you are able to understand your child completely and are able to guide him/her towards a better life.

BATH TIME SAFETY

Bathing your toddler is one of the most memorable moments you are entitled to as a parent. It’s an interesting activity for the little infant as well as your new way to experience life being a dad or a mom. This perfect opportunity should be used to bond with your toddler, help him relax and have a great time. It’s natural that bathing in a tub with streaming warm water in bath foam is something your toddler would not want to resist. So here are some useful tips that you can use to make bath time more enjoyable, full of activity, relaxing and a time of entertainment to your toddler.
Touch supervision
It’s a fact that many children die by drowning, so even two inches of water can cause your infant to drown. Remember that your infant is always within your reach, no matter what you are teaching him, just be there to keep in close touch. And the most important thing, don’t leave your infant or your toddler unattended for more than a minute, just simply keep in touch which helps you supervise and observe him at all times.
Avoid hot water from taps as it could lead to burns, prepare the bath tub with warm water prior to entering the bath room and add bathing bubbles to keep him occupied with a little play. Also using safety products like toys with bright colours should be avoided as it could attract your infant easily.
A time for recreation
Bath time is recreation time to a baby. A parent should allow his child explore and be playful by enjoying pouring water over him in the confines of the bath tub. It is here that bath toys play a crucial role in cheering him up and making him enjoy this playful atmosphere. This ritual could involve rubber animals, hollow plastic ducks, rubber shapes and also a bath thermometer that could keep him company. Baby bathing towels and baby bath robes are essential bathing accessories which should be comfortable and easy for him to use. It must be large as well as easy to wrap around him. It is also noteworthy to pick up towels which carry imprints of animals or animated pictures of his favourite characters on television etc. This could interest him to enjoy his daily bathing time. This sort of activity could improve his idea of bath every passing day.
Take the following precautions when bathing your baby. Take these precautions, use the right bathing products and make bathing your infant or toddler so much fun.
– Keep the water temperature below 50 degrees or less.
– Always check water temperature on the inside of your wrist prior to bath.
– Keep a rubber mat or non-slippery material for more grip on the bottom of the tub.
– Make sure to keep clothes and towels already assembled prior to baby’s bath.
– Use water as required to bathe infant.
– Don’t ask other children to substitute for adult supervision.
These tips could help you have a great time bathing your baby as well as keeping him safe.

PARENTING INFANTS AND TODDLERS-SAFETY FIRST

Safety is always the first thing on your mind when it comes to parenting infants and toddlers. The thought that your little one might get hurt or injured is a nightmare for a parent. That’s why we are discussing the topic on safety issues that you can improvise in parenting your infants and toddlers. Safety at home is a high priority as it should provide a safe space for the child to move around and explore his environment.
Some basic tips for infants and toddler safety is living without fear of accidents with less child supervision. Often accidents occur when there is distraction or confusion at home, a quarrel between two, fatigue in parents and also lack of awareness regarding child safety. Infants and toddlers often crawl while developing new skills as well as exploring their new surroundings. Some things you might want to take immediate notice of is the height of your cupboard drawers, electrical plug sockets, anything that is hazardous or injurious within his reach should be taken care of or removed from his vicinity. Medicines, drugs and pills should be kept locked in cupboards that are far from reach to your infant. Heating items like toaster, iron machine, coffer percolators, room heaters etc should not be exposed or within his reach. Within your home too, the stair case should be protected with proper wooden gates protecting your kid from using the stairs which could guarantee his safety. Bath tubs usually fitted with hot tubs should be carefully protected and should display read signs to avoid excess temperature in the tub. Drowning is one of the serious causes of child death in the world. Children should be given adequate safety tips by the coach before using the swimming pool. Family members accompanying children to swimming classes should supervise them at all times.
Children often test their own abilities and at some point go beyond in understanding their unique skills. This promotes self learning and exploring their boundaries and limitations. But often accidents do also happen which should be avoided by taking proper and necessary steps to avoid them from happening. These tips on parenting infants and toddlers keeping in mind safety as the most important aspect of learning would help in the creation of a conducive atmosphere to learning as well as providing a safe haven for your kids growth. Take a close look at your child’s environment today and identify those possible areas where there is a risk to your Child’s life. So begin your safety measure today and make your Child’s environment safe and risk free.

TOP TODDLER PARENTING TIPS

As a parent we have an arduous task of catering to the needs of our toddler. They are a lot of fun, but believe me it involves a lot of work too. The main drawback, I see as a parent is that we don’t realise the problems they are facing and we are reluctant to address the issues related to discipling them or helping them to cope with their growing up. Using our parenting infants and toddlers tips, you are sure to be able to handle your little ones with a little ease. On the whole it requires a lot of patience, understanding, using the right approach, methods, adapting to their needs, and most importantly making them know that you care about them. Parents have often come across a number of behavioural problems that their toddlers face. Some of them include hyperactivity, temperamental behaviour, throwing tantrums, shy at times, eating problems, fear, stubbornness and grumpy at times.
Let’s take a closer look at what best approaches are available at our disposal in dealing with a toddler who cries nonstop, displays stubbornness and temperament. It’s how we act that determines whether he stops crying or continues or even become mad at us. Certainly, these top parenting infants and toddlers tips can make a difference on your approach and view in raising your toddler.
Toddlers have enormous energy to play with and are hence hyperactive. Toddlers vary a lot in their behaviour, some sit quietly while others are hyperactive and always resort to doing something all the time. It’s important that they are involved in some activity that gets their attention which also involves learning as well. Most kids don’t eat that much. Tips include understanding and feeding him with their favourite dish, if he takes snacks regularly, reduce the intake of meals, don’t force him to eat but try to eat along with your child “ One spoon for you and one for me”, Decorate the food in order to grab his attention. Temper tantrums are common in toddlers and are a part of the growing up. The common reason is a kid gets angry if he is unable to express himself. It’s important to identify the cause and address the Problem early, avoid arguing or yelling, try to be calm and keep smiling, reward him if he stops crying. Occasionally distract him to another activity all together or simply choose to take him outdoors. Fears come in all sort of ways, fear of doctor or medicine, fear of dark, fear of water which can disrupt the balance of his emotions. Be patient with your toddler and help him build confidence like helping him understand and enjoy playing with water, crushing pills and adding it to a syrup, teaching your toddler that shadows are harmless and how he could play with them.
Therefore we would recommend that parents should monitor the behaviour of their toddler, to understand his unique needs and come up with solutions to the problems he faces. Hope you’ve learnt about parenting infants and toddlers with these unique tips from us.