Raising young kids can be a lot of work. But with the right tips, it can be a lot easier. If you establish a routine and stick to it as much as possible, keep things calm and positive in your home environment, and make sure you set boundaries for your kids, they will likely turn out well-behaved and happy. Follow these 6 tips to get started!
For more on this topic, check out the full All About Toddlers collection
Establish a Routine and Stick to It
Establishing and keeping to a routine is key in parenting young kids. Kids crave consistency, and they don’t care what the routine looks like as long as there is one. If you fall into a pattern and stick with it, your children will learn what to expect next. And they will be more likely to adapt their behavior accordingly. Routines can include meals, bedtime, playtime, and any other scheduled activities. Making sure that your routine is consistent will make life easier for you as well as your children.
Top tip: Be flexible! Every kid is different. So what works for one child may not work for the next. Keep an open mind to feedback from your kids (but don’t let them dictate your routine).
[Read: Creating a Healthy Home Environment]
Keep Things Calm and Positive
You want a happy, calm home environment so it’s best to keep things light and positive. This can be a challenge with a young child. But, according to katherinerosman.com, there are some things you can do to achieve this. Don’t expect too much from your kids – give them time to process their emotions before you expect them to act on them. If they can’t do what you ask immediately, don’t snap at them (and certainly don’t hit them). Give your children some space when necessary and try not to sweat the small stuff with toddlers; it’s easy to get angry over spilled milk. But in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter.
Top tip: Minimize and eliminate stress triggers and negative stimuli. Restrict access to TV, tablets, gadgets, and other electronics. Keep things calm and positive in the home environment so your children will be happier.
Set Boundaries
Boundaries are important for kids, especially when they’re young and still learning social norms. If you give your child the boundaries, they will know when and where things are appropriate. Of course, you don’t want your child to be a complete pushover; it’s OK for them to express themselves if they’re not hurting anyone (and it’s OK if other people think what they’re doing is weird).
Top tip: You should expect that your child won’t be able to stick with their boundaries perfectly, but that’s ok. If your child is being overly disruptive or disrespectful, gently remind them of the boundary you have set and help them work towards sticking to it.
[Read: How to Set Expectations for Your Kids and Improve Child Behavior]
Remember What Being a Kid is Like
You were a kid once too, and you probably did stupid things that your parents weren’t happy about. We all make mistakes because we’re young and still learning the ropes. However, many of these mistakes can easily be avoided with some common sense tips to parenting. Of course, every child is different, but everyone has to start somewhere. This can help you raise a child who will grow up to be responsible, conscientious, and well-behaved.
Top tip: Don’t compare your kids with other people’s kids; every child is unique!
Lead by an Example
If you want your kids to behave a certain way, then you need to lead by example. Kids learn not just from what we say (or don’t say), but also from what we do and how we act towards one another. If you want your children to be kind and respectful of others, make sure that’s the standard in the home. If you want your children to be curious and excited about learning, make sure that it’s a priority in your household.
Top tip: Even little kids are watching how you behave all the time – make sure they’re watching you do things right!
Give it Time
You’re not going to get everything right on the first try. Your kids are still learning what is expected of them, and you are still learning how to be a parent. Forgive yourself for making mistakes because it’s all part of the process. With time, patience, and commitment you will raise well-behaved kids that respect others.
The most important thing is to pay attention to your children; do what they are telling you to do. If they’re being disobedient, try to figure out why before you punish or reprimand them. Kids don’t understand complex sentence constructions so keep it simple. Remember that your children are small and still learning how the world works. They don’t need to be perfect, they just need to learn.
Top tip: Don’t sweat the small stuff; kids make mistakes and if you give them room to mess up (within reason) they’ll feel more comfortable trying new things.
Raising kids can be a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it. By following these six simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to having well-behaved and happy children. Remember to relax and take things one step at a time – raising kids is a marathon, not a sprint!
For more on this topic, check out the full All About Toddlers collection
