If you've already done one or all of those, or are looking for something parent-related for this year's resolution, the website About.com has some suggestions for 2011 for you. Here they are:
1. Be a better role model - Think of some of the things you do at home, particularly your bad habits, and ponder for a moment how the sight (or sound) of you engaging in them affects your children.
2. Effective discipline - Is what you are doing to reprimand your child working? Or is it just to make you feel better?
3. Learn to understand your child - You are listening to what your son/daughter is saying, but are you really understanding what he or she really means?
4. Teach your children to eat healthy - Fixing meals is time consuming. Fixing unhealthy meals tends to be easier. Take the time to make sure your child is getting the nutrition necessary for his or her age group.
5. Encourage regular physical activity - Get them off the Wii/X Box/Playstation/Internet/etc. and get them outside!!!!
6. Communicate effectively - Okay, so you understand what they are saying. But do they understand what YOU are saying?
7. Know your kids - This can include knowing who their friends are, what they are doing with their free time, if any of their friends engage in improper behavior, do they have a girlfriend…talk to them and ask them!
8. Be prepared - There are going to be times when you are faced with a difficult and embarrassing situation with your child. Will you be ready to deal with it? Will you know what to do?
Again, these tips are from the website About.com. Here is a link to the full list: http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/parentingadvice/a/ptg_resolutions.htm
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