| Whether you're spending your first days with your | | | | child, so you'll want to share the benefit of your |
| new baby, or an experienced parent of a teenager, | | | | experiences, as well as explaining right from wrong. |
| you can always benefit from the wisdom of someone | | | | Your child will learn a lot during the first few years, |
| else's experience. Perhaps you think that you're the | | | | such as walking and talking, and the other skills s/he will |
| only parent with a baby that won't sleep, or a teenager | | | | need for life, so you'll want to be there every step of |
| that won't stop eating. | | | | the way. |
| Here's what you need to know. | | | | 7. You'll want to be a role model for your child, and so |
| 1. Being a parent means that you have huge | | | | you'll need to set a good example. You might need to |
| responsibilities and duties, and that your life will change | | | | be more aware of what you say and how you act, so |
| for ever. Even though you'll be presented with new | | | | that it's not a case of "do as I say, not as I do". |
| challenges on a daily basis, you'll need to have some | | | | 8. Being a friend to your child will also help them to |
| idea of what to expect, and how your life will change. | | | | develop. Whether it's taking the time to play with them, |
| 2. The food you feed your child is important. Whilst | | | | or to take them to places, or listening to their problems |
| they may prefer fast food, or takeaways, it's essential | | | | and advising them, you'll want to make sure that you |
| that they get their five portions of fruit and vegetables | | | | do your best for your child. Although it can be a fine |
| a day to remain healthy, and to help them develop. | | | | line between friend and parent, you'll need to be both. |
| 3. Sleep is important for children of all ages. There's | | | | 9. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you're struggling |
| nothing wrong with allowing them to stay up later at | | | | with an aspect of childcare or parenting. Babies don't |
| the weekend, but on a school night, an established | | | | come with manuals, and if you're not the natural you |
| bedtime routine should be in place. You don't want their | | | | thought you'd be, or your child is harder work than you |
| concentration and schoolwork to suffer because | | | | ever could have imagined, then help is available. |
| they're too tired in school. | | | | Perhaps you could discuss the issues with your |
| 4. Skincare for children might seem a bit of an | | | | partner, or your children if relevant. If you don't want to |
| unnecessary worry, but you'll want to protect their skin, | | | | ask your friends for help, then why not see what's |
| and only use natural products that won't damage their | | | | available online, or see if your healthcare professional |
| delicate skin. If you wouldn't use a baby or child | | | | can advise you? You don't need to suffer alone, and |
| skincare product on your skin, is it right that you use on | | | | the sooner you ask for help, the sooner you can get |
| your child's skin? What other family health worries do | | | | help. |
| you have? | | | | 10. Above all, it's important to remember to have fun! |
| 5. As your child grows, you'll probably have plenty of | | | | Being a parent, and bringing up a child is a wonderful |
| heated discussions about clothing, and what's suitable | | | | experience, and although it might be hard work at |
| and what's not. It's important to remember that you | | | | times, it's extremely rewarding for both you as a |
| probably had the same discussions with your parents, | | | | parent, and your child. |
| and that there's nothing wrong with your child wanting | | | | Now you know more about how you can be a better |
| to choose their own clothes, or wanting to wear | | | | parent, why not see how other parental advice can |
| something that you don't like. | | | | help you bring up your child, and make you a better |
| 6. Your responsibility as a parent is also to teach your | | | | parent? |