For parents wanting to improve their relationships with children and help them increase their vocabulary, I've listed a few suggestions for you to enjoy with your child.

1.  Order a magazine subscription for your child and read it together.

2.  Mail your child a note.  When it arrives, read it to him or her.

3.  Sing songs to gether, especially when driving in the car.

4.  Post a happy note on your child's door.

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The entry posted before this one discusses why touch is imprortant for all children, regardless of age.  here are some ideas to increase touch between parent and child in nurturing ways:

1.  Hold and cuddle your child every day.

2.  Tuck your child in at night with a hug and kiss good night.

3.  Hold hands while walking.

4.  Play a clapping game.

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Being touched in a loving, positive way is a primary need for all of us, not just children.  However, it's very important for young children to be touched in affectionate ways to help them develop as healthy human beings.  Touch is extremely important for emotional attachment between parent and child.  When you're upset or angry at your child, take some time to chill out and cool down.  Then, bring your child in close to you and find some way to touch him or her in a loving way.  here are some ideas on how to touch your child in a nurturing way.

1.  Put some hand lotion on your chld's hands and rub  it in.

2.  Scratch your child's back.

3.  Give your child a back rub or foot rub.

4.  Give butterfly kisses--fluttering your eyelashes on child's cheek.

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You've just asked or told your child to do something he doesn't want to do.  he looks at you with angry eyes and says, "Its not fair!"  Or your daughter wants to do something and you won't let her do it.  She gets huffy and says in a loud voice, "That's not fair!"

How do you respond?  CALMLY.

You do NOT want to get into an argument or discussion defending your position to your child.  After all, you ARE the parent; you have a right to be in charge; especially when you're dealing with young children and those acting like young children.  Children who say this to their parenbts are merely working at manipulating the situation so they get their way.

I suggest looking at your child calmly and quietly saying noithing else except, "I know."  If your child continues to explain why this is upsetting, you continue saying, "I ...   more »

You notice your child is whining about most everything.  Nothing seems to appease him or her.  You find yourself becoming irritated by the behavior.  Walk up to your child gently touch his ir her shoulder and gently say, "Thanks for letting me know you're tired.  I think it's time for you to go to your room and lie down for a rest for 30 minutes.  Then, when you get up, I bet you won't be so whining."  Then you can calmly walk the child to the bed.  if arguing begins, simply say, "I love you too much to argue."   more »