Parenting

Teaching your child responsibilities is something that many parents may not even think about but something that all children should learn from an early age. We are not talking about major household chores a la Cinderella, but little things to start that you can build on from year to year. Responsibilities can build confidence in a child’s self-worth, can teach them to take care of their belongings and take pride in the work they have done.

As parents to be and new parents, much of our focus in preparing for the baby is around setting up the nursery, buying the appropriate car seat and baby gear and learning about birth and after care. It is human nature to not want to focus on the worst case scenario. But it's worth considering: are you equipped with the knowledge to deal with an emergency situation with your child? Life will inevitably bring on bumps and bruises, but are you prepared for the scarier situations that life might throw at you?

Mealtimes can be the cause of a lot of stress, especially in houses with picky eaters and busy parents. Add in after school activities and mealtime becomes a rushed, whatever you can find in the fridge, meal. This can make it really difficult when you have a child who struggles with trying new foods. Involving your child in the preparation of meal making, including the grocery shopping, can really help your child develop a love for food and could potentially bring out their adventurous side. This is especially true if you are dealing with a picky eater.