Being a parent has many good points, and it’s a truly enjoyable journey for many people. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any negative points as well, and there are definitely some big parenting challenges you’ll need to overcome. With that in mind, here are some of the most common challenges that parents and their children will face along with some tips on dealing with them.
Sleepless Nights
Something that a lot of new parents will have to learn to cope with is sleepless nights. This is not something you’ll be able to do much about; young babies will wake up in the night because they are hungry – they have to eat more often than older children because their stomachs are so small. You’ll soon get into a routine, and although you might be tired, you’ll get through this stage eventually.
Of course, that’s the truth for the majority of people, but it’s not the same for everyone. For some, sleepless nights come back as their children regress. Even a child who has had a good sleep pattern for months or years might start to wake at night again. This can be highly disruptive and difficult to dael with. To cope, it’s good to have a soothing bedtime routine that really relaxes the child and helps them sleep better. You’ll also need to ensure their bedroom is sleep-friendly, with no (or very little) lighting and no noise. Their needs will change over time so you may find that they become scared of the dark, start wanting to sleep warmer or cooler, or even go through growth patches and need more food before bed to sleep through.
Picky Eating
A lot of parents will struggle with their children’s eating habits. Again, this is something that will often come about later; babies will drink milk only, and as they get older, they’ll move on to solid food, but they’ll usually eat everything they are offered. When they are a little older, picky eating can become an issue, and it can turn every mealtime into a battle.
This is why having your child be involved in their food from the start is a great idea. They can see how you make it, taste it as you go along, and even grow their own food in the backyard. In fact, this can be a great double lesson; not only are they learning where food comes from (making it something they are more willing to eat), but they are also learning about sustainability. Combine this with solar panels from a good
solar company in Tucson and recycling as much as possible, and you will be teaching your children a number of good lessons in one go.
Temper Tantrums
Have you ever been in a situation where your child suddenly has a full-blown temper tantrum? Whether this is in public or at home, it’s difficult to deal with and can be a big challenge for parents.
If this happens, you must remain calm; the more stressed you get, the more stressed your child will get, and the problem will go on for much longer. Let them wear the tantrum out, and then have a calm discussion with them about what the problem was. By encouraging this open communication, you’ll be able to get to the heart of the matter and, ideally, prevent the problem from reoccurring.
