Parenthood. From the infant stage all the way up to college, parents are in need of expert advice, support and sometimes a break from the everyday tasks of parenting. There are tons of resources out there, from tips from your mother, to mommy-and-me classes, to community outreach programs. And of course, the internet holds a wealth of information. But knowing if that resource is reliable and valuable can be trying. And who has time to hunt the internet for helpful tips, anyway? We certainly know how daunting it can be to find an article or blog that has ALL the answers in a one-stop place.
So, here are some of the articles that we found to be the most comprehensive and helpful on our search for the best parenting tips on how to deal with many of the behaviors that parents find frustrating, bewildering and funny!
The Best of the Best Parenting Resources for Children Aged 1-18!
SEPARATION ANXIETY:
Every parent has seen that crumpled, teary-eyed face as their little ones are left with a caregiver and you head off to work or date night. It often makes parents wonder about the difference between a healthy parent-child connection and an unhealthy level of stress associated with separation. While separation anxiety seems like an inevitable part of parenthood early on, it doesn't have to be. If you're struggling to ease your little one's anxiety when they're apart from you, try some of the expert tips from these awesome parenting blogs.
If you're unsure whether your child is suffering separation anxiety or just natural attachment to their primary caregiver, check out the great info from Baby Center.org and Aha! Parenting. For help easing your little one's anxiety, check out resources from Creative Child, Parents Magazine, and the Anxious Toddlers blog.
SIBLING RIVALRY:
When an unhealthy dynamic develops amongst siblings, it's something you'll want to nip in the bud. But how do you diffuse conflict between siblings in a way that leaves all parties involved feeling equally loved and supported? We've got the perfect conflict resolution resources for you if you find yourself in this predicament.
Kids Health.org offers an overview on sibling rivalry and common reasons for conflicts. It's possible that all you need to diffuse a tense situation in your family is a hint at what's causing it. If you've already determined the cause of bickering between your children but can't stop it, try these parenting pointers from Empowering Parents or Focus On The Family. Positive parenting expert and frequent Creative Child contributing author, Rebecca Eanes, also offers keen insight into handling sibling rivalry. For tips on how to create an overall peaceful environment in your home, read Eanes's How to Create a Peaceful Home, also on Creative Child.
DISCIPLINE:
If there's one parenting topic with a wealth of conflicting advice out there, it's discipline. Many of us are familiar with old-school methods of discipline, like spanking and time outs, and many of us are not terribly happy with the results those old-school techniques yield. If you're looking to develop new disciplinary methods to teach your children about responsibility and consequences without damaging your relationship, look no further than these disciplinary techniques that put connection and teaching at the core of their methods.
Creative Child has 3 Alternatives to Time-Out That Work, plus tips for Connection-Based Discipline and Consequences That Actually Teach. Parents.com also has some surprisingly simple parenting solutions for the question of discipline that might leave you thinking, "Why hadn't I thought of that!"
Are you entering the realm of teendom? Here are some great tips for positive parenting your Tweens!
