by Brenda Nelson

Created on: March 26, 2009   Last Updated: January 23, 2010

There are ten basic tips every parent should apply when parenting a preschool aged child. For general reference sake we will consider this to be children between the ages of three and five years.

1. Start by Being a Parent

You cannot parent as effectively if your child is full time in day care. While it may not be possible for one parent to stay home at all times, consider working so that one parent is home at most times. Lowering day care expense also lowers your need to work. It has been said that day care prepares children for preschool, however early educators will also say they find better behavior from children raised in homes with good parental influence.

2. Rules Help Children Learn Boundaries

In the real world there are rules everywhere, what you can do, what you cannot do, how you can behave. Children who have not had familiarity with rules and boundaries have a difficult time adjusting to entering situations where suddenly they have rules. It is easy to want to create a happy fun childhood for your preschooler, many parents want to be the child's "friend", but to be a good friend, you would expect certain things from them as well.

3. It is Okay to Say "NO"

Many children grow up without learning how to accept the word "No". At an early age they have learned that if they act up eventually mom, or dad, will give in. This does not set them up for the real world in which "no" exists. Adults who have not been given the gift of learning this lesson are often the ones we now read about in the news when they acted out or lost their temper.

4. Have a Family Pet

A pet should never belong solely to a child. It is unrealistic to refer to a pet as belonging to the child, not only is the child not fully capable of all the care needs of a pet, they certainly won't be paying for its supplies, so really they are not the owner anyhow. A pet is a shared family responsibility, it should be respected, and treated well. Ear and tail pulling should never be allowed. This puts the child in a dangerous situation if he or she encounters another pet, as well as disrespecting the pet you have. Smothering should not be tolerated either. The main role of owning a pet is for you to teach responsibility by example, and for the child to learn compassion for other living things.

5. Do not Allow them to Step on Bugs

While it seems harmless, stepping on bugs goes against the former example of teaching them compassion for other living things. Although some parents will struggle with

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