Darren has been off from work for the past ten days and we have had major bonding time with our son.  Darren has grown incredibly attached to the little guy and I have a feeling it will be very hard for him to return to the normal work grind come Monday morning.  Since he has been home, Darren has been incredible about helping with David and has given me quite a bit of ‘time off’ to do my own thing while he watched him.

Taking advantage of some of this ‘freedom’ I ventured out one afternoon for a relaxing manicure and pedicure.  While being pampered I had the opportunity to catch up on some magazines that I have been trying to get to.  My favorite magazine as of late is Parents.  I only started reading it a couple of issues ago but I really enjoy it.

While reading through the articles I came across one in particular that I found to be interesting and very reassuring.  Written by Barrie Gillies, the article titled “Let Your Child Soar” has fifty ways to be a terrific parent and in my opinion they are all excellent tips.  I tried to find the article to link to this post but unfortunately I think it is only in print.  To share some of the reassuring and fantastic parenting tips, I’ve included the list as I thought readers may find them interesting.  I certainly did.

1. Play with your children.  Don’t worry about the ‘rules’, just go with the flow and have fun.
2. Put your baby to bed drowsy but still awake. This helps a child to learn to soothe themselves to sleep.
3. Take charge.  Children crave limits.
4. Eat at least one meal together as a family
5. Don’t clip your child’s wings.  Give your child responsibility (clearing their dish from the table, dressing themselves, etc…).  It is good for their self-esteem.
6. Read books together every day
7. Get your kids vaccinated
8. Acknowledge strong emotions.  Talk things out after a tantrum.
9. Love all your children equally
10. Say “I love you” when you feel it, even if its 743 times a day
11. Schedule daily special time
12. Teach kids to be brave
13. Be the role model your kids deserve. Kids learn by watching their parents.
14. Avoid food fights. A healthy kid knows how much to eat instinctively.  If he/she refuses to finish what is on their plate, just let it go.  He/she won’t starve.
15. Live a little greener. Show your kids how easy it is to care for the environment.
16. Always tell the truth
17. Just say “no”
18. Protect that smile by brushing twice a day
    
19. Talk about what it means to be a good person
20. Don’t try to fix everything. Let your children learn their own solutions.
21. Gossip about your kids
22. Kiss and hug your spouse in front of your children. Your marriage is the only example your child has of what an intimate relationship looks, feels and sounds like.  It’s your job to set a good standard.
23. Teach your baby to sign
24. Serve a food over and over again. It may take ten times before he/she eats it and decides he/she likes it.
25. Keep the tube in the family room
26. Fess up when you blow it. Your child will learn to apologize.
27. Be vigilant about safety
28. Get kids moving
29. Know when to toilet train
30. Remember that discipline is not punishment. Enforcing limits is really about teaching kids how to behave in the world and helping them to become competent, caring and in control.
31. Don’t raise a spoiled kid
32. Explain to your kids why values are important
33. Give yourself a break. Hitting the drive-thru when you’re too tired to cook does not make you a bad parent.
34. Make warm memories
35. Respect parenting differences
36. Listen to the doctor
37. Let your kids place an order. Once a week, allow your children to choose what’s for dinner and cook it for them.
38. Pick your battles
39. Trust your mommy gut
40. Give appropriate praise
41. Set up a ‘gratitude circle’ every night at dinner. Go around the table and take turns talking about the various people who were generous and kind to each of you that day.
42. Encourage daddy time
43. Savor the moments
44. Pass along your plan.  Have grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles reinforce the values and behaviors you want to instill.
45. Keep sunblock next your kid’s toothpaste
46. Don’t accept disrespect from your child
47. Cheer the good stuff
48. Ask your children three ‘you’ questions every day. Find out what your kids did today or what they want to do.
49. Show your child how to become a responsible citizen
50. Keep in mind what grandmoms say. Children are not yours, they are only lent to you for a time.  In those fleeting years, do your best to help them grow up to be good people.