OPINION — Countless parenting books give great advice, yet no manual exists for the sole purpose of showing you how to raise your specific child. Ultimately, it is wise to consider sound advice, then quietly listen to our own instincts.
Many parents expertise exist only on unconditional love of their child and the desire to constantly improve. Here are 10 priceless gems of wisdom from an experienced parent. Knowing and mastering them in advance will help build the bond between parent and child and increase the health and happiness of the individual and the family.
- Healthy mommy | Mom is literally building a body for her child. Healthy eating, good sleep and emotional peace will affect the creation and growth of the child, physically and mentally
- Bond with your baby when pregnant | Read, sing and chat with your baby daily
- Have a plan | Become educated about options and determine who you want to hire as your “birth team”
- Trust your body | Remain calm and relaxed so your body will be allowed to do what it’s designed to do
- Skin to skin is powerful | Hold baby close, immediately and often; this offers healing properties, physiologically and emotionally, for both mom and baby
- Communicate early | Speak correctly, read, use baby sign language to help children build communication skills, lessen frustration and increase the relationship between parent and child
- Children deserve respect | If baby is crying, there is a need; if a toddler is acting out, there is a need; offer children the same respect you would an adult – listen, connect, act
- Baby is watching | Whatever you want your child to learn, exemplify it yourself; watch what you say, how you act, and what you do
- Feed wisely | A child should learn healthy habits early; teach them a love of and reason for healthy eating
- Explain why | The more a child understands why they should do something, the more likely they are to do it; explain the “why” and ditch “because I said so”
The purpose of parenting is to nurture and raise a child. Paying attention to details, big and small, will help to set your child up for success.
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Written by Melynda Valgardson Fanene for St. George Health and Wellness magazine and St. George News.
Fanene is the producer for the All About Baby Expo.
St. George Health and Wellness website
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
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