While this might seem like something for your wife to do, it's important that you, as a supporting cast member, be very involved in making the decisions now on how labor and delivery will unfold.
Some decisions must be your wife's alone, like whether to have an epidural or allow for an episiotomy, and in those cases, your role is to be supportive of her decision. But there are other decisions that may even fall uniquely to you as well.
Do you want to "catch" the baby as he comes out? Do you want to cut the umbilical cord (sometimes also an option for mom)? Some of these questions will be easier than others, but consider: Will you allow the staff to provide formula milk, which may interfere with the start of breastfeeding? Do you want your new baby to lie on mommy's chest as soon as possible after birth? Will you allow videos or photos taken during delivery? It is very important that you and mom-to-be write all these decisions down and discuss them openly so there is no difference of opinion in the delivery room, either with the hospital staff, and especially between you and your partner.
Make sure to provide a copy of this plan to your doctor and bring one to the hospital to put in your records.
Your spouse will soon be approaching her due date. The actual event of birth can always spring some surprises when you least expect them. Drawing up a birth plan that clearly lists your preferences and expectations will help you handle emergencies better.
These are some typical questions, the answers to which will help you draw up a birth plan. Some concern issues that require both you and your spouse to decide upon jointly. The others may be left for the mother alone to state her preferences-in consultation with her obstetrician if so required. Be ready to offer your suggestions if she asks for them, though.
Questions for mom and dad
• How would you prefer your baby's heartbeat to be monitored?
• Should you, as the dad, be the one to cut the umbilical cord?
• Will you opt for cord-blood banking for your baby?
• Would you want a pacifier for your baby after birth?
• Do you want your baby, if a boy, to be circumcised?
Questions only for mom
• Should the delivery take place at home, at a birth center, or in a hospital?
• Whom would she prefer to have around her during the delivery?
• Would she prefer to take medication to manage pain? If so, which?
• Should she be given fluids intravenously, or would she prefer to drink them orally?
• Would she prefer to have a mirror, in position before her, to enable her to see the baby being born?
• Would she prefer breastfeeding? If so, would she prefer to nurse immediately after delivery?
• Should your older children, if any, be present in the hospital after the delivery?
• How long would she prefer to stay in the hospital?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Everything You Need to Know About Child Support
Child support refers to the obligations, following divorce, of a noncustodial parent towards the upkeep of the child. Typically, child support takes the form of regular payments made by the non-custodial parent to the parent who has custody of the child.
What is the justification for child support?
In a sole custody, one parent is awarded the custody of the child. The custodial parent keeps the child, this being his or her contribution towards the upbringing of the child. The noncustodial parent, who usually has visiting rights to the child, fulfills his or her responsibility by contributing to the financial cost of maintaining the child.
What happens in case of joint custody?
In case of joint custody, child support is usually divided between both parents, usually based on how their individual incomes measure against the sum of their joint earnings, and on the amount of time the child stays with each parent.
How is the amount of child support decided?
Child support is typically calculated by taking into consideration the requirements needs of the . Individual states have, however, have formulated their own guidelines to calculate the amount, so that the actual amount may vary widely even in similar circumstances.
These factors are generally taken into consideration while calculating child support:
• The child's needs
• Ability of the parent to pay
• Standard of living of the child before the parents' divorce
• The custodial parent's needs
What happens if a parent cannot pay child support?
Usually a parent is expected to pay the sum due as child in keeping with the dates decided upon by the court. In case of a valid reason, such as altered financial conditions, a parent may approach the court with a request to modify the amount of child support. If granted, this will be applicable only to future payments. In this case, the judge will also order the parent to pay in full, any arrears, or overdue payments, immediately.
Every divorced dad has to carry his own grief and try to begin a new life again in the world. Remember that you are still a father. Taking care of your children during this crisis is your first priority.
What is the justification for child support?
In a sole custody, one parent is awarded the custody of the child. The custodial parent keeps the child, this being his or her contribution towards the upbringing of the child. The noncustodial parent, who usually has visiting rights to the child, fulfills his or her responsibility by contributing to the financial cost of maintaining the child.
What happens in case of joint custody?
In case of joint custody, child support is usually divided between both parents, usually based on how their individual incomes measure against the sum of their joint earnings, and on the amount of time the child stays with each parent.
How is the amount of child support decided?
Child support is typically calculated by taking into consideration the requirements needs of the . Individual states have, however, have formulated their own guidelines to calculate the amount, so that the actual amount may vary widely even in similar circumstances.
These factors are generally taken into consideration while calculating child support:
• The child's needs
• Ability of the parent to pay
• Standard of living of the child before the parents' divorce
• The custodial parent's needs
What happens if a parent cannot pay child support?
Usually a parent is expected to pay the sum due as child in keeping with the dates decided upon by the court. In case of a valid reason, such as altered financial conditions, a parent may approach the court with a request to modify the amount of child support. If granted, this will be applicable only to future payments. In this case, the judge will also order the parent to pay in full, any arrears, or overdue payments, immediately.
Every divorced dad has to carry his own grief and try to begin a new life again in the world. Remember that you are still a father. Taking care of your children during this crisis is your first priority.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Babies Respond to Angry and Happy Faces
A baby's social skills start to develop long before she can talk. So do her emotions. Babies quickly come to know emotions and to show them.
A four-month-old baby can tell a happy face when she sees it. And she can tell an angry face when she sees it. She is also aware of a face with no expression.
If there is a lot of yelling and screaming in the house, the noise and emotion will affect your baby.
Another step in learning social skills is that your baby will show when she is angry or sad. She'll do this when she doesn't get what she wants. Anger and sadness are normal. Even so, you don't want your baby to have any negative experiences that last a long time. Babies should have far more positive experiences than negative experiences.
Always be sure to comfort your baby quickly. It does more than provide relief. It also builds up the bond between you and your baby. Babies differ in how social they want to be. Some babies want almost constant time with others. Other babies want more "alone" time. However, it can be very harmful to a baby to leave her alone too much or ignore her.
You should always respond to your baby's needs. This attention will make her happier. Her ability to think and know is tied to her emotions. Babies who feel good are more alert. They are also more attentive and responsive. They learn better. They remember better, too.
Learning about other people starts at an early age. Relating with people also starts early. It is a good start when your baby learns to trust and enjoy her parents and others who take care of her. As newborn babies grow and develop, these are the various child development stages that they go through.
A four-month-old baby can tell a happy face when she sees it. And she can tell an angry face when she sees it. She is also aware of a face with no expression.
If there is a lot of yelling and screaming in the house, the noise and emotion will affect your baby.
Another step in learning social skills is that your baby will show when she is angry or sad. She'll do this when she doesn't get what she wants. Anger and sadness are normal. Even so, you don't want your baby to have any negative experiences that last a long time. Babies should have far more positive experiences than negative experiences.
Always be sure to comfort your baby quickly. It does more than provide relief. It also builds up the bond between you and your baby. Babies differ in how social they want to be. Some babies want almost constant time with others. Other babies want more "alone" time. However, it can be very harmful to a baby to leave her alone too much or ignore her.
You should always respond to your baby's needs. This attention will make her happier. Her ability to think and know is tied to her emotions. Babies who feel good are more alert. They are also more attentive and responsive. They learn better. They remember better, too.
Learning about other people starts at an early age. Relating with people also starts early. It is a good start when your baby learns to trust and enjoy her parents and others who take care of her. As newborn babies grow and develop, these are the various child development stages that they go through.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Holiday Tips for Divorced Dads
The Christmas and New Year season is almost upon us and many divorced dads are wondering how best keep to their kids happy without them feeling unhappily dragged from one parent to the other.
When the parents maintain a friendly, or at least professional, relationship it is easier to decide a good course of action mutually but when the opposite is true, everyone suffers, especially the children.
In a mature relationship, both parents would probably plan together what to do during the holiday season. For example, they would mutually agree to one parent having their kids full time at Christmas and the other full time at New Year.
This way, the children can look forward to receiving the undivided attention of both mom and dad over a defined period of time. Having the children over for lunch at mom's and then rushing off to dad's for an early dinner would subject them to a stressful feeling of being pulled apart at the seams. This kind of planning ahead lets everyone, especially the children, know what's coming and that it is in fact, something to look forward to.
On the other hand, a bad or immature relationship between divorced parents might involve, at the least, hasty decisions taken at the last minute when no one knows what to do or where to go until the last moment. Some parents even rush off for lunch at mom's and dinner at pop's resulting only in stress, and the lack of a more prolonged quality time for the children.
Planning is the secret for a divorced dad. Plan ahead, even the whole year, and everyone involved will be much happier. In fact, this may even end up as a happy family tradition.
When the parents maintain a friendly, or at least professional, relationship it is easier to decide a good course of action mutually but when the opposite is true, everyone suffers, especially the children.
In a mature relationship, both parents would probably plan together what to do during the holiday season. For example, they would mutually agree to one parent having their kids full time at Christmas and the other full time at New Year.
This way, the children can look forward to receiving the undivided attention of both mom and dad over a defined period of time. Having the children over for lunch at mom's and then rushing off to dad's for an early dinner would subject them to a stressful feeling of being pulled apart at the seams. This kind of planning ahead lets everyone, especially the children, know what's coming and that it is in fact, something to look forward to.
On the other hand, a bad or immature relationship between divorced parents might involve, at the least, hasty decisions taken at the last minute when no one knows what to do or where to go until the last moment. Some parents even rush off for lunch at mom's and dinner at pop's resulting only in stress, and the lack of a more prolonged quality time for the children.
Planning is the secret for a divorced dad. Plan ahead, even the whole year, and everyone involved will be much happier. In fact, this may even end up as a happy family tradition.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Keeping the Passion Alive Post-Fatherhood
Most couples find that the passion in their relationship dies down as time goes by and once kids come along, it can be difficult to remember what the word means.
Insomniac babies, hyperactive toddlers who want their mom and dad out of bed by 06:00 and sheer exhaustion can put a real dampener on parents' sex lives, but couples are no longer accepting that it has to be this way.
Seattle PI notes that there is now a wealth of expert advice out there for keeping the spark alive after fatherhood, such as Douglas Brown's 'Just Do It: How One Couple Turned Off the TV and Turned On Their Sex Lives for 101 Days (No Excuses!)'.
The newspaper spoke to the author and he noted that many people have realized that "sex is important" after seeing their parents' marriages decline and fail once the romance was lost.
Meanwhile Kimberly Ford, the author of 'Hump: True Tales of Sex After Kids', notes that parents are aware that they cannot "have it all"; that juggling kids, work and a "white-hot sex life" is not always possible without a little extra effort.
Pamela Jordan, an associate professor in the department of family and child nursing at the University of Washington, suggested a few hints for couples to regain their mojo, beginning by taking care of themselves in terms of resting, exercising and eating healthily.
She also suggests that parents recognize the difficulties of spontaneous sex once kids are in the picture and schedule some time for intimacy.
Finally, Kimberley Ford told Seattle PI that parents should attempt to prioritize their sex life once in a while, rather than letting household chores, kids, or the latest baseball game take precedence.
In terms of when it is ok to recommence intercourse after the baby has been born, this depends on individual circumstances, but it has generally been recommended that couples wait for six weeks before putting this expert advice to good use.
Insomniac babies, hyperactive toddlers who want their mom and dad out of bed by 06:00 and sheer exhaustion can put a real dampener on parents' sex lives, but couples are no longer accepting that it has to be this way.
Seattle PI notes that there is now a wealth of expert advice out there for keeping the spark alive after fatherhood, such as Douglas Brown's 'Just Do It: How One Couple Turned Off the TV and Turned On Their Sex Lives for 101 Days (No Excuses!)'.
The newspaper spoke to the author and he noted that many people have realized that "sex is important" after seeing their parents' marriages decline and fail once the romance was lost.
Meanwhile Kimberly Ford, the author of 'Hump: True Tales of Sex After Kids', notes that parents are aware that they cannot "have it all"; that juggling kids, work and a "white-hot sex life" is not always possible without a little extra effort.
Pamela Jordan, an associate professor in the department of family and child nursing at the University of Washington, suggested a few hints for couples to regain their mojo, beginning by taking care of themselves in terms of resting, exercising and eating healthily.
She also suggests that parents recognize the difficulties of spontaneous sex once kids are in the picture and schedule some time for intimacy.
Finally, Kimberley Ford told Seattle PI that parents should attempt to prioritize their sex life once in a while, rather than letting household chores, kids, or the latest baseball game take precedence.
In terms of when it is ok to recommence intercourse after the baby has been born, this depends on individual circumstances, but it has generally been recommended that couples wait for six weeks before putting this expert advice to good use.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Parenting Advice for Fathers Only
Anyone becoming a father for the first time is likely to be relatively clueless about what bringing up a baby involves and are faced with the task of learning a vast amount of information on everything from sleeping to vaccinations in a short amount of time
Although there is a plethora of books on the market to offer parenting advice, most have typically been aimed at mothers, leaving dads out in the cold.
That is now beginning to change however, with websites such as this one stepping in to help hapless fathers-to-be and baby books appearing that offer more male-centered advice.
John Port has just published the 'Caveman's Guide to Baby's First Year' along with his friend John Ralston and family physician Brian M Ralston, after the success of 'The Caveman's Guide to Pregnancy' in 2006.
He told the NY Daily News: "When it comes to pregnancy and to parenthood, men can be like deer in the headlights … we end up scratching our heads and not having a clue what to do. So many parenting guides are written from the woman's perspective that fathers are made to feel like Neanderthals."
As Ralston is a chef the new book offers plenty of nutritional recipes, as well as medical advice and general practical tips, all presented in a humorous and man-friendly format.
Dads wanting to get the low-down on raising kids without stealing their pregnant wife's literature could also consider 'The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year' by Armin Brott or 'The Baby Bonding Book for Dads' by Jennifer Margulis and James di Properzio.
Experts also suggest that dads-to-be talk to other men who have been in their position, as pre-natal classes and advice are generally aimed at women.
Although there is a plethora of books on the market to offer parenting advice, most have typically been aimed at mothers, leaving dads out in the cold.
That is now beginning to change however, with websites such as this one stepping in to help hapless fathers-to-be and baby books appearing that offer more male-centered advice.
John Port has just published the 'Caveman's Guide to Baby's First Year' along with his friend John Ralston and family physician Brian M Ralston, after the success of 'The Caveman's Guide to Pregnancy' in 2006.
He told the NY Daily News: "When it comes to pregnancy and to parenthood, men can be like deer in the headlights … we end up scratching our heads and not having a clue what to do. So many parenting guides are written from the woman's perspective that fathers are made to feel like Neanderthals."
As Ralston is a chef the new book offers plenty of nutritional recipes, as well as medical advice and general practical tips, all presented in a humorous and man-friendly format.
Dads wanting to get the low-down on raising kids without stealing their pregnant wife's literature could also consider 'The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year' by Armin Brott or 'The Baby Bonding Book for Dads' by Jennifer Margulis and James di Properzio.
Experts also suggest that dads-to-be talk to other men who have been in their position, as pre-natal classes and advice are generally aimed at women.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Toddlers and Anemia
Anemia is a common blood disorder caused by a deficiency of red blood cells (RBCs) and is characterized by lack of vitality. It is estimated that around 7 percent of children in the United States experience anemia once by the age of 18 years. The most common cause of anemia in toddlers is iron deficiency.
Iron is important in the production of hemoglobin, which is a protein that primarily transports oxygen from the lungs to the different parts of the body. Iron also aids different brain functions. Insufficient intake of iron leads to a shortfall in hemoglobin production, leading to poor mental functioning and a feeling of tiredness.
Symptoms
The symptoms of anemia in babies include the following:
• Paleness
• Irritability
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Swelling of the hands and feet
• Enlarged spleen
• Dark urine
Anemic children may also show symptoms of jaundice though several infants display symptoms of jaundice without being anemic.
Treatment
Owing to the number of possible causes of anemia, it is necessary to first identify the cause of anemia in your child. If you notice any signs of anemia, immediately consult your family physician. The diagnosis of the disease may include a blood test that measures the red blood cells in the body.
Depending on the cause, the possible treatment options may vary and include:
• Iron supplements (tablets, drops, and liquid)
• Iron-rich diet
• Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements
However, it is important to consult a doctor before you administer any medicine or supplement to your child. For more severe forms of anemia, the treatment options may include:
• Blood transfusion
• Treatment of infection causing anemia
• Medications to maintain the level of red blood cells in the body
Iron is important in the production of hemoglobin, which is a protein that primarily transports oxygen from the lungs to the different parts of the body. Iron also aids different brain functions. Insufficient intake of iron leads to a shortfall in hemoglobin production, leading to poor mental functioning and a feeling of tiredness.
Symptoms
The symptoms of anemia in babies include the following:
• Paleness
• Irritability
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Swelling of the hands and feet
• Enlarged spleen
• Dark urine
Anemic children may also show symptoms of jaundice though several infants display symptoms of jaundice without being anemic.
Treatment
Owing to the number of possible causes of anemia, it is necessary to first identify the cause of anemia in your child. If you notice any signs of anemia, immediately consult your family physician. The diagnosis of the disease may include a blood test that measures the red blood cells in the body.
Depending on the cause, the possible treatment options may vary and include:
• Iron supplements (tablets, drops, and liquid)
• Iron-rich diet
• Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements
However, it is important to consult a doctor before you administer any medicine or supplement to your child. For more severe forms of anemia, the treatment options may include:
• Blood transfusion
• Treatment of infection causing anemia
• Medications to maintain the level of red blood cells in the body
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Help your Toddler Overcome Childhood Fears
Separation anxiety and bedtime fears are not the only bogeymen that plague toddlers. Simple things like loud and big moving objects, huge bodies of water, or friendly, approaching animals can trigger the fear button in children. Don't panic, scold, or ridicule them; remember it is a normal part of development.
While your children are dealing with exploring this new world, here is what you can do:
• Respect their feelings: Their fears are real to your children. If you berate or ignore them for being fearful, they will just stop telling you about them. Assure your children with understanding; do not drive them into a shell.
• Give them control: Children are afraid, as they feel powerless with regard to their fears. Talk to them and discuss these fears. Prepare them for the new things and unfamiliar situations. A feeling of being in-control will replace the fears that they have. If you are accompanying your kids to the zoo, for example, prepare them to meet and greet animals there, and face noisy crowds etc.
• Do not react adversely: One fallout of any fear episode is that you try to protect them from all new stimuli. DON'T! That is the worst possible reaction. Control your extreme parental instincts; guide your children around in the world and gently introduce them to the unknowns.
• Positive reinforcement: When your toddlers tide over any of their fears, reinforce the transition. From time to time, remind them of these achievements, so that winning over fears seems easy to them.
Fears are especially palpable to children in the dark and this may cause a lot of trouble at bedtime. During these moments, it is essential to be supportive - but the goal in the long run should be to help your toddlers develop the skills and confidence to work their fears out on their own.
While your children are dealing with exploring this new world, here is what you can do:
• Respect their feelings: Their fears are real to your children. If you berate or ignore them for being fearful, they will just stop telling you about them. Assure your children with understanding; do not drive them into a shell.
• Give them control: Children are afraid, as they feel powerless with regard to their fears. Talk to them and discuss these fears. Prepare them for the new things and unfamiliar situations. A feeling of being in-control will replace the fears that they have. If you are accompanying your kids to the zoo, for example, prepare them to meet and greet animals there, and face noisy crowds etc.
• Do not react adversely: One fallout of any fear episode is that you try to protect them from all new stimuli. DON'T! That is the worst possible reaction. Control your extreme parental instincts; guide your children around in the world and gently introduce them to the unknowns.
• Positive reinforcement: When your toddlers tide over any of their fears, reinforce the transition. From time to time, remind them of these achievements, so that winning over fears seems easy to them.
Fears are especially palpable to children in the dark and this may cause a lot of trouble at bedtime. During these moments, it is essential to be supportive - but the goal in the long run should be to help your toddlers develop the skills and confidence to work their fears out on their own.
Monday, December 15, 2008
How to Speak with Signs to Your Baby
Infants often use nonverbal gestures to communicate with their parents. Recent research has shown that very young children have the ability to understand language on a pre-verbal level. However, since their vocal abilities are not fully developed, they are unable to express their needs and desires.
Across the world, parents and teachers are increasingly teaching their infants sign language to help them indicate basic common needs such as hunger, thirst, tiredness, etc.
Some common myths associated with sign language are:
• Teaching sign language is time consuming. On the contrary, just a few sessions every day are sufficient to equip your baby with the necessary vocabulary.
• Children who sign are not intelligent. Research has found the opposite to be true. Babies that learned how to sign scored higher in IQ tests compared to babies that did not.
• Children who sign learn to speak later than others do. Again, this is not proven. In fact, some researchers believe that children who signed as babies tend to have richer vocabularies as they grow up.
Tips for teaching your baby sign language:
• Use a commonly accepted sign language such as the American Sign Language (ASL). The advantage of doing so is that other people, including babysitters and daycare employees, can communicate with your baby in your absence.
• Start with basic objects and actions such as "blanket," "more please," "food," and "water."
• Repetition and consistency are extremely important. Use the same set of gestures for the same objects. Repeat them regularly.
• Use positive association techniques. A "Good job!" or any other form of praise is important to help the child view sign language as a nice thing to do.
• Use a lot of eye contact.
• Avoid teaching the child too many words in too short a time.
Across the world, parents and teachers are increasingly teaching their infants sign language to help them indicate basic common needs such as hunger, thirst, tiredness, etc.
Some common myths associated with sign language are:
• Teaching sign language is time consuming. On the contrary, just a few sessions every day are sufficient to equip your baby with the necessary vocabulary.
• Children who sign are not intelligent. Research has found the opposite to be true. Babies that learned how to sign scored higher in IQ tests compared to babies that did not.
• Children who sign learn to speak later than others do. Again, this is not proven. In fact, some researchers believe that children who signed as babies tend to have richer vocabularies as they grow up.
Tips for teaching your baby sign language:
• Use a commonly accepted sign language such as the American Sign Language (ASL). The advantage of doing so is that other people, including babysitters and daycare employees, can communicate with your baby in your absence.
• Start with basic objects and actions such as "blanket," "more please," "food," and "water."
• Repetition and consistency are extremely important. Use the same set of gestures for the same objects. Repeat them regularly.
• Use positive association techniques. A "Good job!" or any other form of praise is important to help the child view sign language as a nice thing to do.
• Use a lot of eye contact.
• Avoid teaching the child too many words in too short a time.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
How Can You Discipline Your Child Gently?
Well-behaved children are a joy to have around you. On the other hand, misbehaved children are a constant source of worry, trouble and unhappiness. Therefore, parents need to encourage good and balanced behavior in their children not only for their own benefit but also for the benefit of the children themselves and the society in which they are being brought up.
As children grow and explore newer activities, it becomes necessary to exercise at least some level of authority over them. Parents need to teach their toddlers to accept authority when it is communicated to them. The trick to disciplining your toddler is to be firm, yet gentle. Remember, you are doing it for your toddler’s good.
Here are some tips to help you discipline your toddler in a positive way without being harsh or cruel:
• Give clear directives: Leave no room for miscommunication while giving instructions to your child.
• Be practical: Be aware regarding what constitutes normal behavior at your child's age. Set realistic expectations based on this knowledge.
• Be committed: Stick by your words no matter what. If you are not consistent and or give in too easily, chances are your toddler will not take you seriously.
• Practice what you preach: If you routinely do something that you have defined as incorrect, your toddler will not understand why there are different rules for you. Make it a point to use "please" and "thank you" yourself, for instance, in order to get your child to use them. You may even give your toddler the chance to correct you if you do not follow the rules you make.
• Understand the mental level of your toddler: You need to explain the consequences of undisciplined behavior in a manner that is comprehensible to your child.
As children grow and explore newer activities, it becomes necessary to exercise at least some level of authority over them. Parents need to teach their toddlers to accept authority when it is communicated to them. The trick to disciplining your toddler is to be firm, yet gentle. Remember, you are doing it for your toddler’s good.
Here are some tips to help you discipline your toddler in a positive way without being harsh or cruel:
• Give clear directives: Leave no room for miscommunication while giving instructions to your child.
• Be practical: Be aware regarding what constitutes normal behavior at your child's age. Set realistic expectations based on this knowledge.
• Be committed: Stick by your words no matter what. If you are not consistent and or give in too easily, chances are your toddler will not take you seriously.
• Practice what you preach: If you routinely do something that you have defined as incorrect, your toddler will not understand why there are different rules for you. Make it a point to use "please" and "thank you" yourself, for instance, in order to get your child to use them. You may even give your toddler the chance to correct you if you do not follow the rules you make.
• Understand the mental level of your toddler: You need to explain the consequences of undisciplined behavior in a manner that is comprehensible to your child.
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