• A gentle cuddle, a little encouragement, appreciation, approval or even a smile can go a long way to boost the confidence and well-being of your children. Sadly, many children seek this kind of acceptance from their peers.


• Tell them you love them every day.


• Give lots of hugs and some kisses


• Love them unconditionally; don't force them to be who you think they should be in order to earn your love. Let them know that you will always love them no matter what.

• Express interest in your children and involve yourself in his and her life.


• Create an atmosphere in which they can come to you with a problem however large or small.

• Respect their privacy as you would want them to respect yours; for example, if you teach your child that your room is out of boundaries to them, respect the same with their room. Allow them to feel that once they enter their room they can know that no one will look through their drawers, or read their diary.


• Instill in them, a sense of belonging by displaying individual and family portraits on the walls of the house.


• Don't argue with your spouse in front of the children. If they are sleeping, argue quietly. Modern divorce rates have children feeling insecure and fearful when they hear parents bickering. In addition, children will learn to argue with each other the same way they hear their parents argue with each other. Show them that when people disagree, they can discuss their differences peacefully.


• Avoid favoritism. Surveys have shown that most parents have favorites, but most children believe they are the favorite. If your children are quarreling, don't choose sides.


• Give up your vices: gambling, alcohol and drugs can jeopardize your child's financial security. Smoking almost always introduces health hazards to your child's environment. Second-hand smoke has been linked to several respiratory ailments in children. It could also contribute to the early death of a parent. Alcohol and drugs might also introduce health hazards or violence to your child's environment.

• Set boundaries such as bedtimes and curfews, so they learn that they have limitations. By doing so, they actually get a sense of being loved and cared about by their parents. They might rebel at those boundaries, but inwardly enjoy knowing that concerned parents love them.



• Encourage responsibility by giving them jobs or "chores" to do and as a reward for those jobs give them some kind of privilege (money, extended curfew, extra play time, etc). As "punishment" for not doing these jobs they have the corresponding privilege revoked. Even the youngest of children can learn this concept of reward/consequence. As your child grows, give them more responsibilities and more rewards/consequences for not completing those responsibilities.



• Teach them what is right and wrong. If you are religious, take them to the religious institute that you follow. If you are agnostic, teach them your moral stance things. In either case, don't be hypocritical or be prepared for your child to point out that you are not "practicing what you preach".



• Make sure they have a healthy way of life. Many parents do this the wrong way. Instead of forcing children to try a child to eat something, give them a choice between to things. It can push children, especially pre teens and up, to a very emotional point if you begin to harp for them to change their eating habits. If they want something unhealthy, suggest the smaller size. If you know they favorite a certain unhealthy food at a restaurant, taking them there a lot is not good. And if you start explainng to the child that it is unhealthy or that they shouldn't get it... they may take it the wrong way and feel like you are insulting them. Once this happens they will no longer want to go out to eat with you and they will feel bad eating around you which could make them want to sneak and hide junk food from you. When you tell them they can't have something or shouldn't... it can create one of two things. One, it could make them want it even more and find out how to get it anyways. Two, it could make them feel extremely bad and they will go all out with all unhealthy foods EXCEPT that one which could be worse. When trying to enforce healthy eating habits, start it at a young age. Giving rewards of candy to children is great but once htey will get older some feel they should reward themselves. While they are younger, start them out with healthier snacks. Instead of chips, try goldfish, grapes, etc. The eating habits they learn as they are younger are the ones they continue to have. Also, never make your child finish their plate if they say they are hungry. This can continue throughout their life causing them to believe that no matter what portions are on their plate.



• Don't routinely do things for your children that they can learn to do for themselves. While getting them a glass of water before bed is a nice way to make them get to sleep faster, don't do it so often that they come to expect it.



• Model moderation and responsibility when it comes to drinking. Explain that they will have to wait until they are old enough to enjoy a drink with friends and talk about the importance of designated drivers. Failure to discuss these issues early sometimes contributes to sneaking and dangerous experimentation. Again, don't be hypocritical or your child will (more than likely) ignore your advice.

• Avoid comparing your children to others, especially siblings. Each child is individual and unique. Celebrate their differences and instill in each child the desire to pursue their interests and dreams. Failure to do so may give your child an inferiority complex, an idea that they can never be good enough in your eyes.


• Teach your children that it is okay for them to be different and they do not have to follow the crowd. Teach them right from wrong when then are young, and they will (more often than not) be able to make their own decisions, instead of listening to others.


• Remember that your child is not an extension of yourself. Your child is an individual under your care, not a chance for you to relive your life through them.

• When your child acts out in a harmful and spiteful manner, tell him or her that such behavior is unacceptable and suggest alternatives. Avoid statements such as: "You're bad." "Go away!" etc (as difficult as it may be).


• Be assertive yet kind when pointing out what they have done wrong. Be stern, but not cross, when you tell them what you expect.


• Avoid public humiliation. If they misbehave in public, take them aside, and scold them privately.


• Model the behavior and character you hope your children will adopt and live by the rules you set. Show them by example in addition to verbal explanations. Children have a tendency to become what they see and hear unless they make a conscious and concerted effort to break the mold.

• Enforce rules that apply to every person leading a happy and productive life. Not just the rules of your ideal person.


• Enforce the same rules all the time, and resist your child's attempts to manipulate you into making exceptions.


• Control your temper.


• Communicate clearly. Children should be very familiar with the consequences of their actions. If you give them a punishment, be sure they understand the reason and the fault, if you cannot articulate the reason and how they are at fault the punishment will not have the discouraging effects you desire.


• Life is a great teacher. Don't be too quick to rescue your child from the results of their own actions if the consequences are not overly severe. Example: Cutting themselves may hurt, but it's better than leaving them unaware of why sharp objects should be avoided.
   

Spend time with each child individually, try to divide your time equally if you have more than one child.

• Set aside a day to go to a park, theme parks, museum or library depending on their interests.


• Attend school functions. Do homework with them. Visit their teacher at open house. Even if it means taking some time away from work. Remember that children grow fast, and soon will be on their own. Your boss may or may not remember that you missed that meeting, but your child will most certainly remember that you didn't attend the play they were in.

Be a role model - Young kids are like sponges. As parents we are our children's first role model. Pay attention to what you say or do around them and think about what kind of example you are making.

• Want to teach kids about charity? Get involved and take your kids with you to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter and help serve up meals. Explain to them why you do acts of charity so they understand why they should.
  
• Teach kids about chores by setting a schedule and having them help you out. Don't tell your child to do something, but ask for their help. The earlier they learn to help you, the longer they will be willing to.


• Want your kids to listen to you? Show them you can listen to them.


• If you want your son or daughter to learn to share, set a good example and share your things with them.