PARENTING BASICS When disciplining a child, criticize their behavior, not them. To keep laces in shoes, thread the first two holes. Then tie knots in the laces on each side. The knots will keep the laces in the shoes. Clean cuts and scrapes with a dark red washcloth so they can't see the blood. Say what you mean and mean what you say! Store bath time toys in a mesh draw string bag and hang it over the shower head to drip dry. When you take out a child and a friend, you should treat them alike even though they might not be yours. Have the children take turns doing the dishes in the evening after you've cooked for their allowance · When your kids are driving you crazy and you feel like you can't cope, find a dark quiet room to sit in for 10 minutes. Don't think of anything, just sit and gather yourself before you loose your mind and say things that you don't mean or will regret later. Learn to pick your battles with kids, don't sweat the small stuff. Meet your child's teacher before school starts or on the first day of school. Express any concerns you may have about your child's education. In the early evening, plan a regular homework time. Get involved and talk with your child. If they need help, give them your support. Read to your child every day. Take them to the library to pick out books to read. The night before, make sure backpacks are packed, lunches are made and clothes are picked out for the morning with shoes and socks. If you pack your child's lunch in a lunch box, freeze juice or drink boxes the night before to use to keep foods cold. By lunchtime, the juice or drink box will be thawed. Have kids do homework right after school. If your child/children ride on the school bus, make sure they have a safe place to wait for the bus, away from the street and traffic. Talk to your child everyday after school about their day. Ask questions to make sure they are not having problems. Cut out pictures of shirts, pants, shorts, undies and tape on the front of the drawers of your child's dresser. This way little ones can put away their own laundry! · Always listen to what your children say. Don't try & run your grown kids lives - just love them & enjoy. Stick with your word. If you say you are going to take the kids somewhere, then do it. If you tell them they are grounded then, don't let up. It shows the children later, just how much you really loved them. It takes patience and persistence to raise children. Give your kid(s) a watering can to play with in the bathtub and then use it to rinse their hair. Don't compare children. Treat them as individuals. · Teach children safety rules for being around animals. When your kids long pants become short, cut them off and hem into shorts. When you need something from your child, make eye contact and get down to their level. Turn off the television and look directly in their eyes. For your child's next birthday party, write the invitation on inflated balloons. Deflate them and put in envelopes. The recipient of the invitation will have to blow up the balloon to read it. Be firm with your grandkids if you are raising them. Make the kids go to the bathroom before they go to bed, whether they need to or not. When telling little ones about the facts of life, ask them what they have heard so far. You may not have to tell them as much as you think, or you can straighten out anything that needs it. Children learn by example. They absorb more than you know by watching you everyday. You should become aware of what you do day by day. Wrap new crayons with masking tape to help keep them from breaking. Hang a mirror at your child's eye level. Good grooming habits should begin early. When feeding your children cereal in the mornings before school, serve in cups instead of bowls. There is a lot less mess and then they drink their milk. When shopping for crayons, markers, clays, chalk, pastes, paints, ect., make sure they are nontoxic. All mothers of young children should always remember you don't have to be the "perfect" housekeeper. I have learned from experience that homes that are not "perfect" have a mother that enjoys her kids and the kids are very happy. Set up a homework center. Make sure that you have extra crayons and supplies needed to complete homework. Make sure it's not near a television.