Few things in life are more challenging than parenthood. Read this article for tips on how to be a more confident parent and to make improvements in your child-rearing skills. You have the ability to change and grow as a parent.

Be honest when talking to your child, and be honest when they are around you. Telling the truth will help you build trust with your child.

TIP! While you need to take time with your children, you need to have time for yourself, as well. This allows you to retain your individuality along with your identity as a parent.

Parents must be careful not to apply too much pressure when children reach their teenage years and get ready to pick a college. If the teenagers feel that they are being pressured or manipulated, they might react by doing the opposite out of spite.

Never give any child under three years of age any type of soda to drink. You need to provide your child with drinks that are nutritionally sound and agreeable to their stomachs so things like milk, water and sugarless juice are more acceptable.

If there are children living under your roof, avoid smoking indoors. Even better, quit smoking. Inhaling secondhand smoke can be just as harmful as smoking cigarettes. When children are exposed to second-hand smoke they may develop respiratory problems, like asthma or bronchitis.

TIP! Transitions are hard on preschoolers. They tend to become frustrated and have temper tantrums when they must change tasks quickly.

If your baby is cutting a painful tooth, fill a mesh teether with carrots, cucumbers or pickles. Other ways of relief might work, but your child will tend to continue chewing on something that has a taste. Encourage them to chew for as long as they desire, and the longer this is, the better their mood should be.

Create some family rules for how your children interact, but keep the focus positive. For instance, tell your child to touch gently if he or she tends to hit.

Children are naturally independent, and offering them the option to help you do chores can make them feel more important. While unloading your dishwasher, let your child hand the spoons to you. For example, while folding your clean laundry, enlist your child’s help to sort socks. Small tasks help them feel like they’ve being independent, and they’ll be helping you out at the same time.

TIP! Never give any type of soda to a baby or toddler. Provide your child with healthy drinks, such as milk, diluted fruit juices or plain water.

When dealing with problem behaviors in your children, focus on positive reinforcement techniques. Just remember that certain children may have emotional problems and cannot communicate their thoughts and feelings. Showing them how to express themselves properly is the best way to help them.

During potty training, you will find the best results if you have your toddler attempt to use the bathroom on a bi-hourly basis. Toddlers typically do not notice that they have to use the restroom until the last minute. They are still figuring out the feeling that comes when they have to use the restroom. If you are constantly bringing your toddler to the bathroom, you will be able to prevent many mishaps. This conditions him to learn to use the bathroom before the need gets to be too urgent.

Lavender Oil

TIP! Keep kids safe on their way to school by using reflective tape on their backpacks or coats. You can find these items made of velcro strips which can be applied and removed easily.

On the occasions when calming your baby is elusive, apply lavender oil to your neck and cuddle the baby. The scent of lavender is soothing and relaxing to adults and children alike. Lavender oil is perfect to help your baby go to sleep.

Having the right advice and support is the best way to develop good raising a child skills. By following these tips, you can improve your being a parent skills and face child-rearing decisions with a new sense of confidence. Child-rearing is a daunting responsibility. Its importance cannot be over-stated. With the right support system and a sense of humor, you can be the parent that you want to be.