Top 10 Parenting Tips From My Collection

by Sarah
(Canada)

I collect quotes and tips but it is really hard to decide which is my Top 10 Parenting Tips. I selected parenting tips or quotes that tend to be good reminders that I try to use in raising my children. Some of them I don't know where they came from, I just made a note of what I was thinking at the time.

• "Your children will see what you're all about by what you live rather than what you say." – Wayne Dyer. This quote always keeps me in check, so I think it is one of the best parenting tips. We often expect our kids to do as we say, not necessarily as we are doing! I think we have to strive to be the best role model we can be for our children.


• Spend one on one time with each child every day - we all have busy lives, but you can't get back time, and when you think about, nothing is more important that you can't spare at least 1/2 hour of quality time with a child. It will pay off big time.


• Let children discover who they are, and what they enjoy by giving them plenty of opportunities to engage in unstructured free-play.


• Inspire your children to trust by telling them how much you believe in them; keeping your promises; giving them heartfelt praises; encouraging them when they make mistakes; and loving them no matter what.


• To deepen kids’ appreciation and gratitude, have them state one thing they love about each family member during dinnertime every evening.
  



• "Teach your kids to have respect and high regard of other people’s rights and welfare. Tell them to treat others in a respectful and gracious manner. Educate them on the need to be tolerant of other people’s choices, cultures, and ways of life." Jeff Cohen, The Asperger Parent
  With an Autistic child this has not been easy as in lots of ways he simply does not see the effect he has on others, and manners are a waste of his time. But in other ways, he also does not see differences or judge others in any way.
  
  
  


• Praise your children's differences and avoid comparing them or asking why they can't be like someone else. (Child Welfare League of America). I've always thought this is so important - from the time our children are born they are compared in terms of birth weight and development. I have an autistic son, and when I stopped taking him to services that just wanted to label him and put him in a box, and started seeing him for who he is, he started thriving. Sure he is not always easy, but when I started seeing him as unique and special his gifts began to shine. He expresses himself in music and art not in words. Instead of I love you Mommy, he draws me a picture, or will tug me over to the piano and will play a made up song for me. Before I CHANGED - he was withdrawn, his art was used as a critique about his developmental stage and his music was seen as simply noisy play. Now I have learned his language, I can hear his communication in his creativity.


• Discuss problems or issues between siblings without placing blame. Help them to focus on looking for a solution rather than deciding who is right and wrong.


• Sit down with children and write thank you notes or pictures to friends and family as a frequent activity. Teaching them to appreciate and thank people, not just for presents, but for being a friend, helping, playing with them, or anything they like about that person.


• "Children keep us in check. Their laughter prevents our hearts from hardening. Their dreams ensure we never lose our drive to make ours a better world." – Queen Rania of Jordan. I love this, because I think adults often loose sight of their dreams or get bogged down in everyday struggle. Kids don't - they live in the moment (young ones anyway) and dream up all sorts of amazing ideas.

I hope you like my top 10 Parenting Tips, there are so many others I love I might have to do this again!
Thanks Annie, I love this website,
love Sarah