subject: The Ins And Outs Of Parenting For New Parents [print this page] There is no license required for becoming a parent. No exam or test that you need to pass. Really anyone can become a parent. But the fact of the matter is that becoming a parent is a massive responsibility and not everyone has the ability to do it well. Then there are some people who are nervous and anxious about the challenges it poses. Thus these tips are for people who want them and people who need them.
The biggest tip you should take is to be confident and be prepared. There are some things which experienced parents have never seen before and they can panic. What you need to do is to take it all in your stride. Things are going to happen, people are going to fall down and cry; maybe even bleed. Whatever gets thrown up at you, you just need to react.
In some instances you can be pro-active. One example would be to baby-proof your house. If there are things which you know a baby can reach and that you know are dangerous. Get them out of harms reach. If you know the baby is adventurous and likes to explore, take away everything that is accessible. Block up all of the power outlets. Better to be safe than sorry.
Another thing you need to remember is that some short-term pain can be worth it and provide long-term gain. For instance there are some people who believe that a baby crying is not necessarily a bad thing and you shouldn't pick up the baby every time you cry. If you do, they are quickly going to learn that they should cry in order to get their way. If you feed them every time they cry, this could be counter-productive to their long term development.
Likewise, they may prefer to sleep in your bed as opposed to their own. But if you always bring them into your bed, they are never going to adjust to sleeping in theirs. If you let them cry to sleep in their own bed, they will eventually get used to sleeping in it. In the long term, this is far more beneficial.
Some people are concerned with their child's learning ability and what to do things to turn them into a prodigy. Yes there are some things you can do to help their knowledge base but you can't force it. Playing bingo with them is a fun way you can teach numbers to them and there is some evidence that children who play bingo at an early age are more skilled at math when they are older. Same too spelling games they aid with their ability to read, write and learn languages.
Ultimately it is all a work in progress. Don't be too stressed about everything as you can mistakes along the way but you can also correct them. It is about the journey and not just the destination. Who a child is, doesn't determine the person they become.
