10 Parenting Tips

Here's a list of top 10 parenting tips - copy and paste them, edit them to fit your unique situation and stick them up on your wall next to photos of your family. Sometimes times are tough and a few reminders and motivating parenting tips can help you out of a rut and get back on form.

Parenting is a huge responsibility and it can be daunting. Taking parenting step by step and day by day can help you change mountains into moleholes.

Top 10 Parenting Tips

1. Dedicate time just to your child without other adults or distractions - positive one to one attention is crucial. Spend time and relaxing with your child will bring happiness to your family and sow the seeds for a happy future for your child and you. The days may seem long sometimes but when you look back, the years will have gone quickly.

2. Give lots of praise at every opportunity. Lots of times a day hug your child, kiss him and show lots of interest in what he's doing and play with him. Children need to feel valued and wanted.

3. Give clear boundaries so your child knows the limits and this in turn, provides him with a sense of security. Be consistent with them.

3. Treat your child as you would like to be treated. Speak to them as you want to be spoken to, listen to them, hug them, kiss them and never,ever hit them. When you get it wrong, say sorry.

4. Rather than saying "No!" to your child, give your child alternatives - "Here, you can use this instead".

5. Bring a few toys, wipes, water, a spare nappy or pants and plasters in your bag whenever you go out with your toddler. Going out can be boring for your toddler and they need distractions and things to keep them amused.

6. Provide clear routines and structures so that your child knows what to expect and feels safe. Organise your day in advance to avoid stressful situations give yourself plenty of time to prepare your day. Let your toddler know what the plan of the day is.

7. Learn to say no to activities that you don't want to do or haven't time to do. You need to look after yourself to look after others and to be a happy parent you need to be happy in yourself. Reserve time and energy for yourself AND your adult relationships too. Believe in yourself.

8. Give healthy food to your children - get them into the habit of eating fruit and vegetables early. It's daunting but true: your child's physical and psycological welfare is largely your responsibility and that includes eating, hygiene, exercise and rest.

9. Share your concerns with your partner or friends. Parenting can be lonely and that can lower your self-esteem and confidence. Always get help when you need to so that you can get back on track and sharing a problem can often solve a problem.

10. If you feel like you're going to explode be aware of it so that you can learn to calm down before shouting or yelling. If you need to, go out of the room to collect yourself and then come back, calm, in control and assertive as well as loving. Try to remember that you are the adult in every situation.

And that's our top 10 parenting tips already!

If you have a good parenting tip to add to our top 10 parenting tips then we'd love to hear from you. Parenting toddlers is something parents are doing every day all over the world so by sharing ideas everyone can benefit!