Parenting Help
By Jennifer Wolf, About.com Guide
Communication
Communication is key. The most important thing your kids need to know is that they are loved. In addition, realize that how you communicate with your kids - whether they're toddlers or teens - will deeply influence their level of cooperation, as well as the overall quality of your parent-child relationship.
- Conduct Weekly Family Meetings
- Respond to Your Kids' Questions
- Announce Your Divorce or Separation
- Get Your Kids to Listen to You
- Teach Respect by Giving it Away
- How to Apologize to Your Kids
- Help Your Kids Cope With Grief
- The Importance of Quality Time
Routines
One way to make your job easier is to establish regular routines with your children. This way, everyone knows what to expect at various times of the day, and each family member can contribute to the household in a meaningful way.
- Use a Calendar to Organize Your Family's Activities
- Use Chores to Teach Responsibility
- Tag Team Cleaning System
- Save Time on Your Busiest Mornings
- Create a Bedtime Routine That Really Works
- Get Your Kids to Sleep in Their Own Beds at Night
Setting Limits
Enforcing rules and setting limits is a necessary part of raising your children. In fact, you actually make it easier for your kids to listen to you and do what you ask of them when you make your expectations very clear from the beginning.
- Regain Control in 5 Steps
- 10 Effective Discipline Strategies
- Set Ground Rules With Your Kids
- Limit Your Child's Screen Time
- Chose Age-Appropriate Video Games
- Find Out Why Your Kids Are Misbehaving
- Book Review of How Much is Enough?
Child Care
As a single parent, it's inevitable that you're going to need to rely on outside sources of child care to assist you at times. Find out how to interview potential babysitters, prepare for emergencies, and know when to your children are ready to be left home alone.
- Find and Keep a Qualified Babysitter
- How to Interview a Babysitter
- Backup Child Care Plans
- When to Leave Your Child Home Alone
- Book Review of Staying Home Alone
Family Activities
Another important aspect of parenting is establishing and maintaining a strong connection with your kids, and one way to do that is to plan meaningful outings together that allow each of you to share your true selves and continue to bond as a family unit.