The moment you find out you’re about to have a baby and start a family is likely one of the happiest days of your life. In no time at all your children begin to grow and develop and transform into a being of their own.

Parenting young children isn’t always easy but there are some tips that can give you the opportunity to turn it into a positive experience. Be glad to know there are actions you can take and advice you can apply that will help you along the way so you can thrive in your role. Here you can learn more about how to better succeed at parenting young children.

Be a Good Role Model

Your children are always watching and observing you and your partner. Therefore, you want to make sure that you’re modeling good behaviors that you want them to repeat. It’s never too early to begin to teach them about living a healthy lifestyle and taking proper care of themselves. Be mindful of the actions you take and the words you say in front of your kids. There are certain behaviors that you’ll want to demonstrate such as problem-solving skills, respect for others, and empathy.

Engage With Them Through Play

You want your children to be able to let loose and be kids, especially when they’re young. It’s very important that you allow them to explore, be creative, and make plenty of time for play. Here you can learn more about the different types of play for children and the benefits of each. There are many different ways in which your child can engage in play so be sure not to limit them or think they’re doing something wrong. There may be times when you want them to play alone or with their siblings and other times that you can get down on their level and have fun and play with them.

Spend Quality Time as a Family

You want your family unit to be strong. You can work on growing a deeper bond with one another by spending quality time as a family. It’s a great opportunity to ensure that your children lead happy lives and have a strong foundation of support in place. There are many different activities that you can do as a group such as going to the playground or throwing around a ball in the backyard. You may also want to have a regular game and movie night where you can enjoy some tasty snacks and relax together. It’s also important that you try to sit down and have as many meals as possible as a family. Dinnertime might be the best opportunity to gather with your loved ones and enjoy a meal and some conversation.

Use Positive Reinforcement

You don’t always want to be scolding your children and pointing out what they are doing wrong. Instead, try your best to use positive reinforcement and catch them doing good things at home and in public. When you see them behaving well make sure you speak up and let them know that you notice it and are proud of them. This will hopefully get them to continue good behavior in the future if you’re diligent about recognizing it and rewarding them.

Build a Strong Foundation of Love

Your children want to know that they are loved and supported. Don’t be afraid to speak up and let your kids know that you love them dearly. It’s all about using open and honest communication with your family members and not being afraid to be vulnerable. Your kids will likely say they love you back and you can use it as a chance to connect on a deeper level. Your kids want to know that you will continue to love them even when they mess up and make mistakes. If they do stumble then try to use these moments as learning opportunities instead of punishing them for trying their best.

Implement Routines

Kids function better when they know what is coming next throughout the day and in life. You can better succeed at parenting young children by implementing routines in your home. For example, you should try to get them up and have them go to bed around the same time each day. Commit to getting into a bedtime routine where they brush their teeth and you read them a book to help them feel relaxed. You may also want to have meals around the same time each day and if they nap or rest then put them in their rooms at a set time daily.

Set Appropriate Limits & Boundaries

You want to avoid your children walking all over you and running the household. You can’t let them run wild and expect positive results. You can better succeed at parenting young children by setting appropriate limits and boundaries. Remind yourself that it’s okay to have rules in place and make sure that your kids follow them. You may want to have ways to reprimand them appropriately when they misbehave or break the rules such as taking away their favorite toys. Sit down and set expectations early on and explain the house rules to them. Most importantly, be consistent with rules and consequences.

Be Patient & Understanding

It can be easy to quickly lose your patience as a parent of young children. There may be days when you feel overwhelmed or they continue to misbehave and test you. You can’t let these moments or hiccups get the best of you. It’s wise to focus on being as patient and understanding with them as possible. Even though you may want to yell at them or scold them, keep in mind that this usually isn’t the best approach. Instead, keep a level tone and demeanor and explain to them why you’re feeling frustrated and what changes you want them to make to their behavior.

Promote Independence

You ultimately want your kids to grow up and be productive and successful adults. You also need to make sure that they’re prepared to properly take care of themselves when the time comes to go out on their own. It’s never too early to begin promoting independence in your children. Be there to support and guide them but also allow them to complete various tasks on their own and make mistakes sometimes. You can help build their self-confidence and autonomy by giving children age-appropriate responsibilities and choices.

Reach Out For Help

You’re only one person with so much time and energy to give. Parenting can be hard some days and takes a lot out of you. It’s never a bad idea to reach out and ask for help from your support system when you need it. For example, maybe you need assistance picking up or dropping off the kids or need someone to watch your children while you run errands or take a nap. All you have to do is identify what you need and then use your voice to ensure that you feel supported in your journey as a parent. More than likely your friends and family and even professional resources are more than happy to step in and lend a hand or offer advice.

Take Good Care of Yourself

It’s important that you have a lot of natural energy to parent young children. Therefore, you’ll want to commit to taking good care of yourself. Put your needs first and get in the habit of practicing self-care daily. It may be that you choose to take a warm bath or get lost in a good book when you have some free time. Participate in activities that put a smile on your face and make you feel rejuvenated. You’ll also want to make sure that you exercise regularly, eat healthy meals, and get plenty of quality sleep and rest.