| The initial state of happiness about an own child is | | | | messing around with things and getting stuck in things. |
| often overcome with annoyance after even a short | | | | This can really add to the load of stress parents |
| period of time. Children quickly grow an own | | | | already have, and the explosive emotional or even |
| personality, and it's the most vital task of the parents | | | | physical reaction might ease the moment, but on the |
| to help develop it and give it a shape. Otherwise, the | | | | long term increases the problem. So be as relaxed as |
| little angel can turn into a little devil adding considerably | | | | possible and make sure you've got all valuable pieces |
| to the stress in life you already have. | | | | of household equipment properly secured. When |
| Like everything else in life, child education is a tightrope | | | | children receive a bump or scratch that's no drama - |
| walk between strictness and letting loose. Drifting off | | | | turning it into one will just make you and your child |
| either way causes more problems than it solves. But | | | | over-freightened in the future. Still, with all calmness, |
| of course what sounds clear and obvious in theory is | | | | don't miss to tell your child when it did wrong and |
| much harder to actually apply practically. | | | | discipline when it's overdoing it. |
| The suggestions here are no rules to follow, they're | | | | In the following years, the focus of education should be |
| mere guidelines and should animate own thoughts and | | | | on the child's character and attitudes. The influence of |
| ideas. After all, it's up to you what you think is best. | | | | trends, friends and media is strong, and the temptation |
| 1. Discipline | | | | to try new things is high. At the same time, the control |
| During the first six month of its life, a baby won't yet | | | | parents have over their children's activities is reduced, |
| be able to understand the connection between "bad | | | | and especially when it comes to trends parents often |
| behaviour" and punishment. What it really needs during | | | | lack understanding for the things that are "in". |
| that time is care and loving, to tighten the emotional | | | | So even though your child becomes more independent, |
| bounds to its parents. | | | | it's important that you have time together and show |
| Nevertheless, even a baby that small is fully capable of | | | | interest in its experiences, interests and problems. |
| repeating actions that lead to a pleasant result. So if | | | | Offer to talk about things, but don't urge. Show |
| any sob makes you appear immediately on the cradle, | | | | understanding and always be there as someone your |
| you'll find that you have a miniature dictator soon who | | | | child can talk to without fear - remember the days |
| keeps you up and running with joy. | | | | when you were in that age, and your feelings at that |
| Between seven and fourteen months, children normally | | | | time. |
| start testing their limits. This results from a growth in | | | | And, most important: Be a paradigm to your child. You |
| both mobility and stubbornness, so what's being put on | | | | cannot expect it to do something you don't have the |
| test are the parents' patience with keeping their little | | | | power or courage to do yourself. Respect is nothing |
| ones from exploring, often eating and probably | | | | that can be taught, but has to be earned, even by |
| destroying the reachable parts of the household and | | | | parents. |
| for how long they can get away with it. | | | | 2. Rules of thumb |
| Babies at that age start challenging their parents by | | | | - Be just! |
| stubborn disobedience, but that should not lead to | | | | Don't expect your child to behave according to rules |
| punishment. Be firm and persistent in telling and | | | | you haven't set. Especially young children often can't |
| showing them what they're not supposed to do, but | | | | distinguish between right and wrong. So even if |
| don't be rude or harsh. Their concentration usually | | | | something is clearly a stupid idea for you, it might seem |
| doesn't last, so distraction is a great weapon. They still | | | | a brilliant one to it. |
| need a lot of love, and your reward will be a happy | | | | - Be firm! |
| time with a sometimes annoying, but mostly very cute | | | | If you give in to your child's defiant reaction, maybe |
| baby. | | | | because you're just tired of the whole thing, you lose |
| Going towards an age of two years, the obstinacy | | | | much more than that fight. You give away authority |
| takes often a negative direction: "No" is the preferred | | | | and respect. |
| answer to all "propositions" ranging from eating and | | | | - Forgive! |
| choice of toys to taking a bath and going to sleep. | | | | After a confrontation is settled, reassure your child of |
| Discipline can become considerably harder to apply, but | | | | your love and show that you're not resentful. |
| is vital to steer the course of your child's further | | | | - Don't ask for the impossible! |
| development. It has to learn that the authority and | | | | No matter what your means of education are like, you |
| decision is with the parents. Still, love and forgiveness is | | | | can't expect a child to behave like an adult. Children |
| of even importance. Especially the father's role as an | | | | sometimes behave irresponsibly - that's built-in. |
| authority for the child and support for his wife can | | | | - Don't forget the love! |
| make this period a lot easier. | | | | In the end, no matter how much trouble you might |
| With increasing mobility, skill and curiosity a child | | | | have with each other, don't forget to show that you |
| between two and three years can keep its mother | | | | love your child. And when it comes to decide how to |
| constantly busy, taking every moment of silence as an | | | | educate, how to reward and how to discipline, listen to |
| indication of a new disaster involving eating things, | | | | your heart what's the right thing to do. |