It is not easy to be crafty and winsome at the same time, and few accomplish it after the age of six. John W. Gardner and Francesca Gardner Reese
The Importance of Crystal-Clear Rules for your Child


The world is a far more scary and complicated place than it was when you were a child. As a result, it's imperative that you set adequate yet fair boundaries with your child. It's a very important role in your parenting responsibilities. Children must make difficult decisions each day, and if they don't have clear, firm boundaries set, they may not always make the wisest choice. Limits teach children proper restraint in social and individual activities and provide children with necessary structure and security to assist in healthy development. Setting limits also provide children with guidance before they have an opportunity to get into trouble, thus making them more successful with everyday life.

A child's age and developmental level needs to be considered when setting limits. All children have a need for independence and individualization; however, they also need structure, security and parental involvement. It goes without saying that the needs of a 2-year old vary greatly than those of a teenager. A toddler has a strong desire to explore and investigate, but parameters need to be set to ensure their safety while doing so. Teenagers need to be able to be an individual and be independent, but with strong parental guidance and influence, are more likely to make smart choices in difficult situations.

Limits should be discussed and set prior to the situation. Though situations arise that weren't planned on, daily situations should have set limits and expectations. A teenager who breaks curfew may have the privilege of going out with friends revoked until they learn respect for the rules. A child who misbehaves while playing with a friend may need to be separated from the fun until they can learn to properly behave.

Children respond in a positive manner in an environment in which they know what to expect and what is excepted of them. A child will be more respectful towards rules and more willing to abide by them if the rules are clear and consistent. Additionally, it's crucial that once a limit is set that they caregiver stick to it. A child is less likely to try and manipulate a caregiver into changing the limits when their experience has been that there's no bending on the limits. And remember, you are the one who sets the limits and lays down the law. There's no need to argue with your child. Be firm and consistent and they are less likely to challenge the rules and will accept the consequences.

Parenting Tip

Children have a right to be protected from physical abuse, and laws in every state demand severe punishment for those found guilty of physically harming a child.

Parents should agree on how to discipline their children. The child will most likely appreciate having the chance to be heard and having a choice. Your examples become permanent images, which will shape their attitudes and actions for the rest of their life.

Thinking and reasoning skills are at work every time a child engages in some type of play.
Beware jenny mccarthy and her angry mob
The quote of the day on Time.com by Jenny “Mother Warrior” McCarthy is here and refers to actress Amanda Peet being on one “side” of views about vaccination, and to a certain part of the male anatomy. On the “side” of McCarthy is (per her quote) “an angry mob” of anti-vaccinationists who say that vaccines or something in vaccines cause autism. An angry mob? Yikes! Seeing as I (a confessed former warrior mom) don’t think vaccines or something in vaccines can be linked to autism, I ought to be typing this with fingers a-trembling. But why? Because study after study shows that there is no link between vaccines or something in vaccines and autism? Well yes. But actually because there’s too many friends (including my two best guys and ...

If you exhibit these to your child on a daily basis, they will learn what they live and grow to do the same as adults.
Ensure that you spend lots of quality time with your child, at least once a week. Screaming at a child to be quiet or paddling a child for hitting is hypocritical and ineffective. They may beg a child to comply. Hobbies teach children to set and achieve goals, solve problems and make decisions.