I WILL BEGIN THIS ON THE NOTE, THAT I BY NO MEANS CONSIDER MYSELF AN EXPERT AT BEING A PARENT, BUT IVE ACQUIRED A GREAT BIT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AREA OVER THE YEARS. I AM A MOTHER OF 4 BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, INTELLIGENT, AMAZING, little individuals. i certainly like to think i have a bit of something to do with who they are and shall become. my eldest daughter just turned 16 this past February. my son will be 10 this fall. my second born daughter, turning 8 in may. last but not least, my daughter who turns 7 in July. so as i said before, not an expert just immense in knowledge. The most important element above all else, love, lots and lots of love. love when they seem as if they are the most perfect child in existence, and even more love when you are ready to change your name from mom to anything else but as you pick your hair up off the floor after pulling it out by the roots. second, respect. respect you might raise the brow and say "pardon me?" but yes toddlers need respect as well. the way we treat our children instills in them a quality and learned behavior as to how hopefully they shall embrace as character traits within themselves. they come into the world regarding us as primary for every need, want, desire, and inquisitions they may possess. we are their first and foremost models in equipping them with examples of what it takes to become a well adapted and functional member of our society today. discipline can be one of the hardest areas. it is never ever acceptable or appropriate to inflict harmful reprimand in a physical form towards a child. i will say there were times when i was growing up the 3 licks for what was considered a felony act as a adolescent helped shape me up and certainly made me think twice about other actions later on. sometimes this may be necessary, but with toddlers there can always be another choice other than corporal punishment. before the age of one, really this issue hasn't been very active. you feed them, bathe them, play, put them to bed, take them for doctor visits, change many smelly diapers, and pretty much go through the same routine on a daily basis. routine during this time is important. consistency is the name. with a child this young, familiarity and expectant daily events is the first milestone to their general well being in the area of feeling secure in their little minds in such a big world. after the first birthday things change everyday at an increasingly faster pace in some areas, as well as slower in others.

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