Keep your children safe :
All parents want to keep their kids safe. Remember to take the necessary precautions, whether it is making them sit in the backseat of the car while driving, or making sure that there is someone responsible with them at all times. Make sure your home is childproof, with electrical outlets out of reach, furniture edges rounded off, glass items out of the way etc.
Teach your children values :
Make sure to impart good values to your kids - it's the best gift you'll ever give them. Values are the foundation of a child's character. Teach your children values through everyday interactions, stories and by the way you conduct yourself. While story-telling, however, make sure you don't connect the story to the child. If, for example, you want to teach your little one about honesty, tell him/ her interesting stories related to it. Do not say, "You should behave in the same manner as so-and-so did and always tell the truth" - the message will not sink in. To a youngster, this feels like nagging and moralizing, which will go in one ear and out the other.
Be a good role model :
Remember that your kids are watching you all the time and want to ape you in every possible
way. Even very young children take in and listen to everything their parents say and do, so remain aware of your actions and behavior around them. For example, if you talk rudely to the domestic help, you will not be very successful in teaching your children the value of politeness. Model the behavior that you want them to develop.
Keep your kids healthy, but allow them their personal likes and dislikes when it comes to food :
Provide nutritious meals for your children, but allow them to make their own choices about what they like or don't like. As long as you are providing them with nutritious options and not junk food, they will almost always make the right choices. With young children, try and be creative with their meals, so that it's fun for them. If, for instance, there is cooked vegetable and bread (chapattis) for dinner, fold some cooked veggies into each chapatti so that the kids can enjoy it as a roll.
Set rules and limits :
A good mother is firm and flexible. Don't leave discipline only to a child's father. Set reasonable rules and limits and discuss them with your kids beforehand. Follow through with the consequences whenever applicable. However, there are times when you have to be flexible and ease the rules; times when youngsters are tired, sleepy, hungry or not well.
Be just and fair :
Treat all your children in the same manner. However, don't try to be overly fair, as it will get in the way - for example, if you are out shopping and spot a book that one of your kids needs for a reference project, you do not necessarily have to buy something for the other child. Similarly, bring the other child what he/ she requires when it's needed. As long as you are providing for both of them equally, they will understand and not make an issue. When you try to be overly fair, children tend to find faults with every little thing you do.
To Be Continued ....
Source : DSDG
