We live in a world where we must follow rules and boundaries. Your household should be no different. How will a child learn to follow the law, if they weren’t taught to follow simple rules as children? Lay out consequences for undesirable behavior and post them in full view.
Take time for yourself and your spouse.
Even the best parents need time to rejuvenate. Plan an evening out with just you and your spouse. Get your child use to the idea of having a regular baby-sitter. The younger your child is when you start hiring a baby-sitter, the easier it is on everyone concerned.
Read to your child everyday.
Statistics show that children, who are read to daily, excel academically. Read to your child from a very young age and encourage them to read every night when they are old enough to read for themselves
Give your child a solid religious foundation.
Due to a diverse culture, many schools no longer offer a religious program. Religion starts at home. Say prayers before meals, attend church regularly, and enroll your child in Sunday school. Don’t be drawn into the notion that child should choose their own religion when they are older so why enforce your beliefs on them as children? Let your child know what religion you practice and teach them your beliefs. When they reach adulthood, they can decide what’s right for them.
Be available to your child.
There’s more to parenting than being a visible body around the house. Get involved in your child’s life. Play games, read books, go for walks. Spend time one-on-one with each child doing something that’s exclusive to that child. If one child likes to go to the library but the other doesn’t than make this your special together time.
Apologize when you’re in the wrong.
It takes a big person to apologize so be that big person if the opportunity arises. By apologizing when you’re in the wrong, your child will realize that adults can make mistakes also.
Teach your child by example.
A child who is raised in an atmosphere where swearing is commonplace will see nothing wrong with swearing. Good parenting doesn’t go by the motto - do as I say not as I do. Good parenting is practicing what you preach.