Having a child is one of the most exciting things that can happen to you. This article offers a handpicked selection of tips and tricks for mastering parenthood.

Expecting parents shouldn’t spend lots of money on nursery equipment. Basic nursery staples like cribs, diapers and blankets are readily available at major retailers, like Walmart, and are far more affordable than their department store counterparts. An even better deal would be to find hand-me-downs from friends or family members.

Consider what you are actually saying to your child. It is important to build and maintain trust with your children.

It might be hard to get a preschooler to deal with change. Switching from one activity to another can cause a child a great deal of duress and can result in temper tantrums.

Parents with teenagers should try to abstain from forcing their own preferences for college; letting the child decide what to do will make the teenager both happy, and responsible for their own mistake, if they believe it is one later on. Teenagers will often rebel against their parents’ wishes if they feel they are being overly controlling.

TIP! When traveling with a small child, try to keep the same bedtime and mealtime routines as you have at home. Traveling with young kids can be stressful on them, particularly when they are infants.

Do not smoke in your home if you have children living with you. It’s a good idea to give up smoking entirely. The effects of secondhand smoke are as bad as smoking itself. Second-hand smoke puts children at risk for lung ailments including asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.

The best way to keep the peace among your children is to establish family rules that are both clear and positive. Affirming words such as “Touch softly”, can help children react positively to correction instead of phrases like “Stop hitting!”.

Remember that even though you’re a parent, you have to take care of yourself too. No matter what kind of crazy day you are having with the kids, take a few moments for personal time where you can relax and re-energize. Not only will your mood improve, but your kids will appreciate it, too.

TIP! Transitions can be hard to deal with for preschool children. Abrupt changes can lead to stress and crying fits.

When traveling long distances with young kids, be sure to stop and take lots of breaks. While it may seem like a good idea to rush your destination, the quicker route isn’t always the best approach when taking a long-distance journey with the family. Plan stops along the way at parks, restaurants, or attractions so your kids can burn off their energy and see something new.

When you are traveling, bring those items that are seen as comfort to your toddler or young child. While adults view vacations as a much-needed respite from the rest of the world, travel can be very stressful for young children. Keeping a favorite toy or blanket handy can help your little one adjust to a different location, with a minimum of fuss.

When becoming a stepparent, you have to accept that your stepchildren may not like you. It’s common for children to be upset and resentful about their parents not being together. You and your stepchild will get to know how to coexist if you go steady and slow, not expecting overnight results.

TIP! Even dedicated parents need some time for themselves. Ask a relative to take care of your children while you do something relaxing.

After reading the above advice, you now have a good foundation to build a great raising a child journey on. Also consider that child-rearing may differ greatly from one person to the next. There is no one right way to do any activity involved in parenting. Use whatever advice you like the most and helps you the best. Remember that being a parent is an exciting time for both you and your child, so enjoy every moment you have, because they do indeed grow up so fast.