How To Be a Better Parent

Learning

Teach your child perseverance, the ability to follow through with a task or activity. Encourage them to finish a task.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for your child. Many studies show that students are less able to perform well without the significant nutrients that a healthy breakfast provides.

It is important that your children see you reading. Try to include a variety of reading material, such as newspapers, magazines and books. Remember, don't have books in the house that you wouldn't want your children to read.

Look through the newspaper together with your child. Make a list of cities mentioned in various stories. Try to find the cities on a map or globe.

Check out a book from the library about holidays around the world. How did the people from your ancestor's native land celebrate various holidays?

Living

Being a parent isn't easy. It is OK to ask for help, advice and support.

In your efforts to limit passive TV viewing, be sure to have alternatives ready. Read independently in the same room. Have a family "read together" time. Pursue a hobby together or play a musical instrument.

Know your child's friends. Encourage your child and his/her friends to spend time at your house. This may help you have a better idea of what is going on in your child's life.

Be aware of the attitudes and values of your children's friends. Make an opportunity to meet their parents. Never underestimate the power of peer pressure.

Any child who is old enough to love, is old enough to grieve when he/she loses someone he/she loves. Try to answer your child's questions about death.

Being a parent can be very stressful. You can set a good example by finding healthy ways of relieving your own stress, such as, regular exercise, talking with other parents in similar situations and spending time taking care of yourself.