**Act now, talk later. **Respond to your child’s misbehavior in the heat of the moment, but talk about the incident later in a “planned discussion,” in which you lay down the rules and your expectations.
When you take your children out to busy public places, dress them in bright coloured clothing so you won’t have trouble keeping an eye on them. Especially helpful when you have several children with you..
**Make amends.**One of the most important things you can say to your child is “I’m sorry, I messed up.” Admitting you’re wrong also gives your child the right to make mistakes.
**Coin a nickname.**Call your child by a special moniker that reflects your unique connection to him. A child with many names is a child loved many times.
As a mom, you do not know all the answers instinctively. A lot of it is trial and error with a mix of common sense and love.
Be consistent, whether it be with discipline, routine, or dinnertime together.
Be patient with your children. They want your approval so badly..
Have a sense of humour..
Relax. No parent is ever perfect. Say you are sorry.
**Grant a wish.**Take an hour or two each week to do exactly what your child desires without interruptions or distractions – even if she wants to play a game you hate or build block towers and then knock them all down.
**Start and end each day with “I love you.” **We often think we show our love for our children through our actions, but kids want and need to be told that they’re loved.
**Think ahead about safety.**Anticipate what your child’s next step is likely to be, then baby-proof accordingly. If your 9-month-old is about to stand, now’s the time to put up the gate, cover the sharp corners of tables, and keep pot handles turned away from the edge of the stove.
**Praise your partner. **Never finish a day without acknowledging — at least once — your spouse’s role in the life of your children
**Don’t rush to punish. **Every child has a cup that needs to be filled – and refilled – with love, attention, affection, and respect. A rough day, a big frustration, or a harsh word empties the cup. If your child is acting up, give him a hug, listen to him, and spend time together. He’ll be more cooperative, and you’ll both feel closer.
**Look the other way. **Once a week, ignore one of your child’s small transgressions – bad table manners, forgetting to clean up right away – and remind yourself that you’re not perfect either.
**Don’t panic about picky eaters. **They won’t starve, so just continue to offer a variety of foods and small, frequent meals. Let your kids see how much you like vegetables.
**Be your baby’s favorite toy. **Instead of always offering a plaything, amuse him yourself. After all, you move, you make sounds, you can take turns with him and respond to what he does, and you are warm, soft, and safe.
**Make family rituals sacred. **Once a week, do an activity together, such as reading a book out loud, taking a walk, driving to the woods, or having Sunday breakfast at the same diner or coffee shop. These are the types of memories your kids will treasure most.
**Nip aggression in the bud. **Don’t ever let your toddler hit or kick you, even if you know she’s angry or frustrated. Block the hits immediately, and firmly say, “No, you do not hit me.”
**Make amends.**One of the most important things you can say to your child is “I’m sorry, I messed up.” Admitting you’re wrong also gives your child the right to make mistakes.