Focus on Better Behavior

There is new research showing that teenagers that have less strict parents are less likely to have sex. The same research shows that more than two out of three teens has sex before the age of 19. It showed that parents that didn't engage in controlling or negative behaviors had teens that were less likely to engage in sex. Making time for your teen and communicating with them is very helpful. Make sure you have an open relationship with your teen and that they can talk to you about sex and be supported. They will be able to make informed, safe choices about sexual activity.

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When children begin to throw tantrums it's often easy to just give in, but that's probably not the best way to avoid them for the future. Children throw tantrums when they don't get what they want when they want it. If you give in, it will teach them that if they cry hard enough and long enough they will get what they want. Instead try identifying the triggers of your child's tantrum so you can diffuse them before they start. If they throw a fit anyway, ignore them. Of course make sure they can't hurt themselves. When they calm down explain to them why they didn't get what they wanted and remind them of a time when they did get ...

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Talk about lax parenting. This article talks about parent who left their 5 and 11-year old in the car with the doors locked while they went shopping. Maybe they should have invested in baby-sitting or day care or the help of a friend or family member to watch them. These parents faced charges and have to pay large fines and take a parenting course. Money that could have better spent elsewhere.

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According to this article, it depends on what you lie about. Children by the age of 3 and 4 can tell if someone is lying to them. At that age they do what their parents do, so you need to be careful when telling a white lie. Depending on the age of the child, situations around death seem to be an ok time and place of white lies because they don't really understand the concept. They can be saved from possible trauma and anxiety by telling a small lie about death. You just have to be careful because sometimes lies can snowball. If you tell your child that their dog "went to the farm" instead of dying, they ...

More about: Is Telling Your Child a White Lie OK?

Potty training can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be too difficult. First really find out if your child is ready to start training. Most children don't have control over these functions until they are 18 months old. Most children can be trained by age 4. It takes patience, humor and time to train your child. Make sure you encourage your child and let them know when they've done well. Just relax and don't take it all too seriously and remember that one day your child will be done with diapers.

More about: Is Your Child Ready to Potty Train?

Being stuck indoors is probably a child's worst nightmare. Plan some activities that they can enjoy but ones that the family will enjoy as well. Go for a walk let the kids ride their bikes along if they don't want to walk. Go to a park. It gives them some free time but you can have some for yourself if you bring a book. Or you can join in the fun playing with them on the playground. Bring them out in the garden. Let them know that their help keeps the yard vibrant and alive and a great place for people to hang out in. If you live near water, hours of fun can be had, bring rafts or inner-tubes ...

More about: Summer is Here, Get the Kids Out!

I found this blog post interesting, regarding parenting styles. It talks about four main parenting styles and how it can effect your children. The first is authoritarian or restrictive. Children don't get the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Parents display a coldness and controlling attitude. The second is authoritative or democratic. Parents encourage discussions and debates with their children. Parents that use this style are warm and supportive. The third is permissive. There are no demands for the child, they provide basic needs and let them do what they will. The don't learn much responsibility. The fourth is uninvolved. Parents are emotionally detached from their children and in some worse cases neglectful. Which style do you use?

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Are you a parent that cringes every time your child wants to walk down the street and around the block to the 7-Eleven? Does your child think you don't trust them because you won't let them ride their bike 2 miles to their friend's soccer game? Many parents make their children very reliant on them, never being able to become independent and do for themselves. You can't monitor everything in their lives, but you want to protect them. Save the paranoia for the real scary stuff! You don't want to hold a child back because of your own fears, you want them to be self-reliant.

More about: Are You an Overprotective Parent?

I'm sure you've seen kids in stores having a melt down or running wild through the aisles. Is that just normal kid behavior? I think not. How children behave has to do with the parents. Most parents don't want to hear that and are dead set on it being the fault of the child. When you really take a look who is responsible for their behavior? The parents are. It is up to the parents to teach their children to act out of respect, not only to their parents but to everyone around them. The world is not free reign and they need to learn skills that will help them be responsible and respectful of others.

More about: Who’s to Blame for A Child’s Wild Behavior?

Coddling your children is not an effective way to get them to behave. Doing that will actually bring the opposite result. Many parents feel guilty for working or can't handle their upsets so they give in to their children's every whim. What that does to our children is spoil them and train them to believe that they are entitled. To make their way in the world respectfully and effectively you need to give them the tools to be responsible and independent. When kids throw tantrums it may be easier to give in, but weathering it and standing your ground will teach them that they need to earn the things that they want, not everything is just given to them. They ...

More about: Overindulging Your Children