QUICK ANSWERS
To
YOUR PARENTING PROBLEMS
Q: My child won’t eat her food if it’s
touching another food on her plate…what can I do?
A: Try putting each food
on a different plate or use a plastic TV-dinner try to separate the foods.
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Q: When should I skip the 2:00 AM feeding?
A: Once your baby is at least a month old
and over nine pounds, try giving your baby a pacifier or a bottle of warm water
for the 2:00 AM feeding. The warm water
will satisfy your baby’s hunger.
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Q: Since
my baby started teething, his gums are hurting him. What can I do to relieve the pain?
A: Try a rolled up small frozen washcloth
on his gums, or try a clean sock filled with ice chips and tied in a knot at
the end for your baby to suck on.
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Q: My daughter’s pediatrician said she is
way overweight. What can I do to help
her reduce weight?
A: Enroll your daughter into an exercise
class, a swimming class, gymnastic class and walk with her instead of driving
places. The weight will be reduced and,
of course, have her eat non-fattening foods and lots of vegetables and fruits.
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Q: My son cries and creates havoc every
time we go to the barbershop. What can I
do to help him enjoy this experience?
A: Why not try to cut his hair
yourself? Or have your husband do
it? Place your son in a warm bathtub,
wet his hair, offer him toys and water games, then quickly give his hair a trim. Also, bring your son with you when you have
your hair cut. Show him that it doesn’t
hurt!
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Q: Naptime made easier – tell me how?
A: Naptime should always be a routine time
– at the same time and the same place of each and every day. Try sitting quietly with your child doing a
simple activity such as reading. The
reading will eventually quiet your child down and be ready to nap. Or try lying down with your child and take a
much needed nap yourself!
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Q: My children want to watch way too much
TV. How can I limit the time they spend
in front of the TV set?
A: Create a new rule: TV can only be watched - when the whole family is
watching! This way you can also monitor
what they are watching. Or create a
daily schedule for TV time, or allow your child to pick up one video at the
rental store, then after viewing, encourage your children to go outside and
play with you.
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Q: My child hates to do homework…how can I
make this task more pleasant?
A: Homework can be a
lonely experience, why not do your own reading, paying of bills, any paperwork at the same table with your child while he/she
is doing homework? Also establish a
routine for homework – one that includes some reward afterwards! How’s about an ice-cream cone or a special
game you could play together.
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Q: My child gets homesick at school…how can
I help her?
A: Try taping a picture of
your family on the inside of her lunch box, or on her back pack. Include a note as well. This makes for a happy child!
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Q: My child just hates
reading…how can I help him develop a love of reading?
A: Start a library for
your child by purchasing books at your local bookstore (with your child in
attendance), signing your child up for a library card and helping your child
select books in the library, show your child your love of reading by discussing
what you just read.
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Q: We are shortly moving to
another state. My son is sad that he is
leaving his friends. How can I help my
child cope?
A: Give your son a camera
to take photos of all his friends, then take the photos and create an
album. In addition, allow your son’s
friends to write notes in the album or draw pictures in it. Any time your son gets the “blues”, bring out
the album and have a few good laughs.
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Q: How can I help build my
child’s self-esteem?
A: One of the nicest and
easiest ways to build self-esteem is by reminding your child (on a daily basis)
how much you love him. Cuddle at bedtime
with your child and tell him how happy you are to be
his mother/father and how thankful you are that he is in your life.
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Q: Recently my
eighteen-month old child has started screaming.
This is very disruptive to the whole family. What can I do for my child while she is
screaming?
A: Try to ignore the
screaming by going to another room, or pick up your child and bring your child
to another room (change of room often brings a change of behavior), or distract
your child by presenting a new toy or game and your child will likely forget to
continue screaming. Just keep cool!
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For answers to your
parenting challenges, e-mail me at linda@empoweringparentsnow.com
Copyright © 2005 by Linda Milo and Empowering Parents Now. All rights reserved.