There are 3 easy methods to teach your child effective time management. These are: by teaching your child how to tell time; by teaching your child how to set priorities; and by showing your child that managing time is fun.

We’ve all been children before, so we know that some hardcore beliefs that we’ve decided to keep our entire lifetime had been passed on to us by our parents at an early age in our lives. We might even have forgotten when they actually first started telling us this and that, but we’re sure they’ve been doing so for as long as we can remember. Time management skills might just be what he needs to cope better in life when he’s grown. So how can you effectively teach your child this skill?

By teaching your child how to tell time

Teach your child early on to tell time. If you want your child to learn how to manage time, then this is the first step. Other than the advantage of being introduced early to numbers as well, your child will become more responsible and disciplined when he knows how to tell time and why it’s important. Use a clock with the three hands rather than a digital clock because your child might be bored with the latter. Choose a large one with attractive designs to make it more fun. For example, when your child asks for ice cream, tell him he can have one at four o’clock. Then show him the numbers where the hands should point at this time (You’ll also be teaching him patience through this.). As he asks for more things, he’ll have the idea that activities are done at different times during the day.

By teaching your child how to set priorities

As is always said, there are always more things to do than there is enough time to do all of them. This can be true even for a child. By teaching your child how to set his priorities, he’ll know how to divide his time among his different activities; he’ll know where to spend more time on, and where to spend little. You can teach your child this by using the reward principle. If he finishes his home work first, he will have the remaining time before bedtime entirely for television. But if he wants television first, he would have to watch only until a certain time, regardless if he’s watching a favorite show. Sometimes also, you might find your child having a dilemma between doing two school projects. Ask him which one he finds more difficult and advise him to do that one first. This way, he won’t dread doing the second project because he’ll know it’ll be easier. Always make your child see the advantages of wise choices; he’ll carry this skill until the time he starts making decisions for himself.

By showing your child that managing time means fun

You should never left this part out. If you allow sufficient time to be allotted for playing, entertainment, and doing the things your child enjoys, this will ensure that he knows you mean well and that you’re not simply making his childhood miserable. This is true for all the other things you want to teach your child; if you want your child to really accept the lessons you’re teaching him, it is always imperative that you let him see the fun part of it. Also, this is important for your child to learn how to balance responsibility and relaxation, which will ultimately make him the well-rounded individual that you want him to be.

As a parent, consulting a time management e-book might help in further honing your kid’s time management skills.

Now that your child has begun to walk, talk and feed himself, it’s a good time to buy a spillproof cup. Experts says babies should start drinking from a cup at about age 1. Why the rush to wean? because prolonged and frequent bottle use can lead to cavities in baby teeth as well as in the permanent ones forming underneath.According to Fred Ferguson a professor of pediatric dentistry, Baby-bottle tooth decay occurs when the sugars in milk, juice and other beverages react with bacteria in a baby’s mouth to form acid.

So here are the following tips to make the switch (from bottle to cup) easier:

* You should make the cup irresistable: Let your child  drink from the cup to quench his thirst during meals and then offer him his bottle afterward. Once things are going well, you can cut the bottle out completely. You can also offer only water in your child’s bottle while filling the cup with his favorite drinks. Water doesn’t promote tooth decay and given the choice, a child will choose a cup filled with milk or juice over a bottle of plain water.

*Distract him with other things- If your toddler asks for his bottle, try distracting him with a toy, an activity, or a snack instead. Let your toddler see you or other older siblings  drinking from a cup. Chances are he’ll be doing what you and the other big kids are doing.

* Continue to encourage him – If your gradual  weaning isn’t working, (your last option is to  throw all your toddler’s bottles) you can always praise him for being a big kid and explain the the” bottle man” is coming soon to collect bottles for all the new babies being born. Toddlers may complain for two or three days but typically they will move on.

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 ”honey, it’s time for you to sleep now.” “but mom!!!!!!!! I’m not yet sleepy and besides I’m not even tired yet” 

This is a normal conversation between a mom and her little one who prefers playing than sleeping. During this moment, your patience will be tested and yes, It won’t be easy. It is important that your child understands why she needs to sleep.  That heavy and groggy feeling shows that your child is not at her best condition. She needs to know that her body is like a celphone battery that needs to be recharged.  So here  are the following things that you can do to help your child love sleeping.

• Sleep with your little one. It helps your child get into a routine.
• Try bedtime routines like, reading, or taking a warm bath. It helps your child to  be calm and relax.
• No sodas, ice tea or any food contains caffeine before bedtime.
• Avoid having TV inside your child’s room. Study shows that kids who have TV’s in their rooms sleep less.
• Remember that children has wild imaginations. Avoid watching scary movies or TV shows close to bedtime because it makes it hard for them to fall asleep. Just incase this situation happens, pray with your child before they go to sleep.
• Use your child’s bed only for sleeping. In that way,you’ll train your child’s body to associate her bed with sleep.
• Have a “bedtime chit-chat”. This is the time to ask your child how her day was. This will  help your child relax and It will be easy for her to sleep.

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Learning how to walk is a key milestone in your baby’s life. When you see that your toddler is beginning to stand, your first instinct is to encourage him to make his first baby steps. The worst thing that you can do is urge your baby to walk while he’s wobbling around. BE PATIENT! They’ve just discovered something new and they need time to get on their feet and walk. Developing the motor skills of a child is a long process, and the parents’ role is to lend a helping hand.

Forcing your child may irritate him.  Just like adults, we get cranky when we’re not in the mood.  Allow your child to explore.  Your job as a parent is to stay by his side with your arms ready to take action when help is needed.  Be a guide to your baby.  Each step means everything to your little one.  It’s an achievement for him.    The best thing to do is to encourage him.  Clap your hands, give him a cheer like he has won a contest.  More importantly, hugs and kisses can be a great motivation to your child.

Reserve purchasing walking shoes until he learns to walk outdoors.  Walking barefoot helps him develop balance and coordination.  Bright stars tropical fun around we go activity station will enhance these developments in your child’s motor skills. The activity table adds fun to your child’s learning process and will make their every step fun and easy.

Where to buy: Bright starts

Price: $79.99

Video: Activity station

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Image courtesy of care.org

I know not everyone who reads this will be religious, or of my tradition, but I felt that this prayer spoke to all parents; to our deepest prayers if we pray, but also to our deepest desires and fears for our parenting task, whether we pray or not. 

It’s taken from the book Guide My Feet: Prayers and Meditations on Loving and Working for Children by Marian Wright Edelman, the founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund. 

Dear God, I thank you for the gift of this child to raise, this life to share, this mind to help mold, this body to nurture, and this spirit to enrich.

Let me never betray this child’s trust, dampen this child’s hope, or discourage this child’s dreams.

Help me, dear God, to help this precious child become all You mean him to be.

Let Your grace and love fall on him like gentle breezes and give him inner strength and peace and patience for the journey ahead.