Parents, and the relatives, start living from the first sign of life in the mother’s womb. Everybody is taking care of the would-be mother. After months of pain, excitement, oversized wardrobe, when the mother finally holds the child, it is this moment that transforms them completely, a moment which women live for and which changes their world forever.

While taking the child home, there are both apprehensions and excitement, and no bounds of joy. However, making the child’s future as joyful largely depends on the parents. Taking care, especially for the first-time parents is often difficult. However, there are always relatives and friends who are there to help and advice in such times. Almost everyone now will advise against most organic products because natural baby products are the ones available and also good for the baby.

The most important feeling of cute babies has is often the touch. This touch connects the parents to the baby. A warm and loving hug from the parents provides an emotional connect. It is said that a baby shouldn’t be taken into arms or lap everytime he or she cries which is largely true so as to not spoil them. But the emotional moments when the baby lies peacefully in the arms of mother or father are often very important.

For the first few months, babies derive on nutrition almost exclusively from breastfeeding. A mother is the sole reason for the baby’s well-being in those months, and therefore she feels extremely special.

A child is a nature’s way of saying ‘all is well’. Tend the baby well, use of natural baby products is good for their health, however the most important requirement a baby has is love.

Shiloh Lundahl, LMSW is a bilingual therapist who specializes in working with individuals and families. He has worked in several residential treatment facitilities working with youth and adults who abuse drugs or alcohol as well as teaching parenting and life skills classes.

To learn more about the services Shiloh Lundahl, LMSW provides, visit : http://www.parentarizona.com/

Our best wishes to the team of Parentarizona.com

Keeping room neat and clean is a habit that must be imbibed by the kids from an early age. It is also a good learning experience for the child. Tell him in an effective way how keeping his room tidy and neat will help him in finding his stuff more easily. It will help him in finding his books, toys and clothes more readily. Parents also need to lead by example by keeping things tidy all over the house in a consistent fashion.

Indicate your child that keeping his room neat is sign of his maturity. If he does it well, he will show signs of increasing levels of responsibility. Don’t forget to compliment him for this habit. Keep rewarding him with small gestures like a small pat, hug or peck if he manages to keep thing clean in his room.

The process must begin with demonstration. Show child the way about how to go for cleanliness. Things like opening window shades, putting away toys, making the bed etc should be taught first. Slowly, you can add other tasks like cleaning bathroom or mopping floor etc. Parents should remember this is a skill that must be imparted to kid at an early age and in the best possible fashion.

Parents should consult school administration in regards to such issues. The problem of bullying has been taken seriously in many schools and many educational institutions are taking strong measure to curb this menace. Some of the common steps being taken by schools are establishing anti-bullying rules and procedures, mediation between victims and bullies, stern monitoring and classroom discussion etc. Check whether, your kid’s school has implemented any such program and also offer your suggestions.

You should also focus on your kid and see what makes him vulnerable to bully attack. Make sure he has good group of friends and he stays in a group because bullies usually don’t pester a kid who is walking in a group. Encourage your child all the time to voice his objections and stand tall. No point being a silent victim all the time. Build self-confidence in the kid and he will be able to tackle any adverse situation. Teach him to look people in the eye and remain firm. Make him join a self-defense class where he will be equipped with required defense mechanism.

Children today are thriving on the virtual world. Most of them have more friends in the virtual world than the real world. They are hooked to playing video games, love isolation but at the same time are actively socializing virtually, prefer chatting than talking on the phone, communicate effectively but at the same time find it difficult to express emotions etc.

A mother of an eight year old daughter revealed that her child’s life is shaped up by technologies and high tech gadgets. She knows nothing other than a world that is full of e-books, Skype video chats, and games on the iPhone! All these facts reveal that parents need to put certain restrictions on the technology usage patterns by their kids. Try and not expose your kids to such addictive gadgets at such an early age. It is important that your child learns to play cricket (for instance) than press buttons and makes runs!

The sharing instinct comes when your child starts maturing. Every child matures at his or her own speed. All that parents can do is bringing them up in an environment that encourages and influences such behavior. You need to showcase desirable actions to your children so that they can learn to live in harmony.

Many parents start calling their little one selfish in front of others. They pretend to not talk with their child until they share their things. Don’t force the child with such desperate measures. Parents need to accept the fact that there are some things that your children may not be willing to share. Give them their time. They may even start sharing when they see other children doing the same. However, if your child falls under the category where she is possessive about her things but will want and easily take away other kids’ things, then you need to make your child respect other kids’ possessions too. You need to show your child that you can share too. Also praise your child every time he shares his things.

Children, now a day are very comfortable with usage of internet. They often surf internet for their projects or in search of new online games. But there is a distinct possibility of child visiting unsuitable websites and becoming prey to dangerous predators. Parents need to ask themselves questions like whether children are protected from such dangers. Whether child is at risk while using computer? Parents need to keep a tab on what children are viewing and who they are interacting with on internet.

Parents also need to be aware of different online chat rooms where doubtful adults join the group under the disguise of a teenager and try to manipulate a kid’s unsuspecting mind. Children will have no clue who they are dealing with actually and this might prove dangerous in the long run. Parents should keep checking such things and ask children about their online friends and their activities. Parents should be patient and tackle such issues with utmost patience. Parents should tell children not to share their personal details including address, phone number and not to meet them as well. Parents should also use special programs that take care of doubtful websites visited by children. They can always use inbuilt parent control program to safeguard interests of kids.

To begin with, it has been noted that events that have triggered suicides are: failure in academics, relationship failure, child abuse, raging and peer pressure, family disturbance and being diagnosed with some illness.

Many parents are totally in shock when they realize that their child has suicidal tendencies. Rather than getting upset over the fact, it is an alarm for most parents that something is not right with your kids. You need to identify that problem. Parents need to know the answer to following questions: Is my child happy? How is his nature? Is he the kind of person who is apprehensive and anxious? Is he a rebel? His academic performance? His thoughts, actions and behavior patterns in general?

Having answered these questions, there are some questions that parents need to ask themselves: How do we behave with our kids? Do they fear us? Are we spending quality time with our kids? Do we love them enough and show them that as well? Do we get angry on our kids?

Parents should talk openly with their children about their feelings.

Listen carefully to them and don’t try to interrupt and solve their problems. Avoid judging them on their opinions. Most parents give sermons and preach their kids. Avoid that. Nobody’s is a perfectionist neither is anybody’s life perfect. Teach your child to be strong. Also, avoid keeping your child alone especially during pressure building times like exams. Take professional help if you think your child has suicidal tendencies.

Television programs of yesteryears did not use to be this violent. The contents have become more explicit. Whenever a child turn on the TV and witnesses violence, explicit scenes and obscene languages, his mind becomes vulnerable to such programs. Most of the programs on cable TV contain objectionable items. In other words, majority of television programs are only suitable for adult viewing and not for kids. There are few cartoon channels or news channels that are entertaining for kids but parents cannot always keep a tab on remote. Children love to watch television programs and especially songs, videos and movies. These programs have a very powerful influence on behaviour of the kids.

Studies show that too much of television may cause children to become numb or immune to the horror of violence. Children are unable to differentiate between real life violence and reel life violence. Another dangerous effect could be in form of reducing humane factor. Kids could also interpret that violence is the only way of solving problems.

Parents can limit the time children watch TV. Parents should also encourage kids to indulge in other more vigorous activities like sports or reading children’s books. Constant TV viewing makes mind dull. Help your kid in nurturing a hobby. Also try to keep a tab on what kids are watching and be very strict about it. Parents must get themselves involved with kids from an early age and try to nullify negative effects of TV on kids’ minds.

 Anxiety is also a very common factor about childhood. Anything new enamors a child and with it is present the right mix of positive and negative strokes. The child may love the Pre School and as it gets routine the child may develop an anxiety owing to separation with the care giver. Nothing is constant in the child’s behavior and many times these forms as night mares for children.

 When the infant cries constantly at nights, the best remedy is to offer reassurance with lots of hugs and talks. As the child grows and by five or even years they are able to gauge the surroundings very well. Their instincts get developed and a casual chat can be termed by them as a contemplative issue. Hence it is best to avoid conflict related talks in front of them. Their subconscious mind relates to certain TV programs or a fear linked viewing and they appear to scream and yell in the night.

 Many times this is shocking as their body is violent and also they repeat certain words continuously. It certainly helps not to panic and waking them up is an ideal situation. This may also happen as a side effect of a drug or general sickness. It may be very surprising to us that children are unable to link the same when they get up bright and happy in the mornings.

Children also face peer pressure and a certain routine takes the essence in functioning. Breaks and outings are the right of every child and get them around more sociable outings. Thus parenting is a revealing experience. Usually this is a passing phase.  If the terrors persist then seeing a doctor is advisable.