by Linda L Kinyon

Created on: July 30, 2009   Last Updated: July 18, 2010

Naturally we all want to be the best parent we can possibly be to our children. From the moment of conception you dream of a perfect little child you hold in your arms. Your perfect little child doesn't fuss much and is very easy to care for, well behaved and easy going.

When that little child is born, reality hits and sometimes it hits very hard. Your child is fussy, messes its diaper and doesn't seem to like to nurse or bottle feed. How the will you ever become the perfect parent? Add to this the long hours of rocking a fussy baby and losing sleep yourself and you have an even bigger challenge to be the best parent you can be to your child.

Once you finally get your child to manage a decent sleep pattern your child learns to walk and run and create even more challenges. Being the best parent you can be to your child is an obstacle course that even the best of us may often get lost on.

So how do we counteract all of mother natures challenges set before us? We learn to listen. Listening to your child will give you the best cues as to what is going on. A baby's cry can mean many things, from hunger, to uncomfortable (messy diaper or rash etc.), to boredom. Learning to listen and distinguish from a hunger cry to a boredom cry will go far in helping you to get some much needed rest and become the best parent to your child.

As your child grows older you need to continue listening to him or her. This will help to establish a pattern that will be very useful in the teen years when your child is wanting to be their own person yet still needs some parental guidance. Remember that you're the parent, not his or her best friend. Your child doesn't have to like you for good parenting, but you do have to live with the consequences.

Setting rules and limits shows your child that you care and love them. Sure, you will be met with "all the other kids get to" or "you never let me...". That is to be expected. Reassure your child that it may appear that way, but you know that your limits are reasonable and that you are the parent. Don't back down on these rules. Offer to call the other parents and discuss it and I am sure your child will back down immediately.

Make a family time and time for one on one with each of your children. Spending this quality time with your child will help them to recognize that you are on their side and that you are available to assist them in the various transitions of life.

Implementing these three simple rules with your child will go far in helping you to be the best parent you can possibly be to your child.

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