The 5 Simple Truths of Raising Kids: How to Deal with Modern Problems Facing Your Tweens and Teens: 1

Even though your daughter will hear a lot about needing to take off all her body hair in magazines, on websites and from friends , you can help counter this. Explain that it's partly because companies that sell hair removal products spend millions of pounds on advertisements and influence magazine and website editors to say it's a good idea. One product in the USA is aimed at to year-olds. You can let her know that even though people talk about it, only a minority of girls and women remove all their pubic hair.

Some of the possible problems she can expect to get if she does remove her pubic hair include: One of the great things about girls is they're often keen to do charity or other community work. See if there's an organisation that you can join together, or one that she can be involved in with her friends.

This could be environmental or political, or something to work towards as a gap year later on. It also means there's something you can praise her for, which she will really appreciate.

Set Smart Limits

Make sure your daughter knows that you understand the occasional necessity for a Plan B, C, or even further down the alphabet. If she doesn't pass the exam, or doesn't make the team, help her with back-up ideas that makes life seem like a series of choices rather than just a matter of "making it" or "failing". Tell her life is all about choices and changes. When you talk to her about safety - on the computer, on the street, on public transport or out and about at parties or clubs - frame it in a way that praises her for being smart enough to outwit potential dangers and problems. Don't just give her a set of rules.

Role play will help her know what to say or do in real situations. Sometimes girls will put themselves in danger rather than risk embarrassment - offer to be the "bad guy", and have a code. For example, if she rings you while with a group of friends and says don't be mad, she'll feed the cat when she gets home, it secretly means she needs you to come and get her straight away. You can be the "mean parent" who insists it was your idea, and she gets to save face.

Talk to her about the tricks that advertisers and shops use to pretend she's getting a bargain or must have an "essential item". When she's old enough, show her the household budget so she knows how much it can cost for food, rent and so on. She'll understand why you keep banging on about budgeting. What other information is crucial for surviving the teenage years? Share your teenage anxieties or your parenting tips in the comments section below. The truth about spots Tell your daughter that spots or blackheads are not caused by these things: Body changes are natural Don't say to your daughter: Alcohol should be taken seriously New research shows that girls who are given alcohol before the age of 18 by their parents are more likely to develop a drinking problem.

Talk openly about family problems If you're in a family that is separating, it can be a turbulent time in which a teenager's questions and feelings are accidentally overlooked. It's OK to say no to sex Have a talk with your daughter that allows the possibility that she has gone further than she wanted to in terms of sexual experience. There's nothing wrong with body hair Even though your daughter will hear a lot about needing to take off all her body hair in magazines, on websites and from friends , you can help counter this.

Helping others will help you One of the great things about girls is they're often keen to do charity or other community work. Life doesn't always go to plan Make sure your daughter knows that you understand the occasional necessity for a Plan B, C, or even further down the alphabet. There are smart ways to stay safe When you talk to her about safety - on the computer, on the street, on public transport or out and about at parties or clubs - frame it in a way that praises her for being smart enough to outwit potential dangers and problems.

• 5 Reasons You Don't Need to Worry About Kids and Social Media.
• La Guerra de los Mundos (Novelas de Cine) (Spanish Edition).
• .
• 2. Body changes are natural.

How to manage money Talk to her about the tricks that advertisers and shops use to pretend she's getting a bargain or must have an "essential item". Order by newest oldest recommendations. Your toddler's mission in life is to gain independence. So when she's developmentally capable of putting her toys away, clearing her plate from the table, and dressing herself, let her.

Giving a child responsibility is good for her self-esteem and your sanity!

Don't try to fix everything. Give young kids a chance to find their own solutions. When you lovingly acknowledge a child's minor frustrations without immediately rushing in to save her, you teach her self-reliance and resilience. Remember that discipline is not punishment.

Enforcing limits is really about teaching kids how to behave in the world and helping them to become competent, caring, and in control.

10 things you must tell your teenage girl

Kids can't absorb too many rules without turning off completely. Forget arguing about little stuff like fashion choices and occasional potty language. Focus on the things that really matter -- that means no hitting, rude talk, or lying. Positive, or authoritative, parents value mutual respect and being a good listener.

Play with your children. Let them choose the activity, and don't worry about rules. Just go with the flow and have fun.

50 Easy Ways to Be a Fantastic Parent

That's the name of the game. Read books together every day. Get started when he's a newborn; babies love listening to the sound of their parents' voices. Cuddling up with your child and a book is a great bonding experience that will set him up for a lifetime of reading. Schedule daily special time. Let your child choose an activity where you hang out together for 10 or 15 minutes with no interruptions. There's no better way for you to show your love. The greatest untapped resource available for improving the lives of our children is time with Dad -- early and often.

Kids with engaged fathers do better in school, problem-solve more successfully, and generally cope better with whatever life throws at them. Your children will probably not remember anything that you say to them, but they will recall the family rituals -- like bedtimes and game night -- that you do together. Not ready to throw away your kids' clothes or uncertain what to do with an unwanted crib bumper? These innovative parent hacks can give your kids' items a whole new life. Be the role model your children deserve.

Kids learn by watching their parents. Modeling appropriate, respectful, good behavior works much better than telling them what to do. Fess up when you blow it. This is the best way to show your child how and when she should apologize. Live a little greener. Show your kids how easy it is to care for the environment. Waste less, recycle, reuse, and conserve each day. Spend an afternoon picking up trash around the neighborhood. Kiss and hug your spouse in front of the kids. Your marriage is the only example your child has of what an intimate relationship looks, feels, and sounds like.

So it's your job to set a great standard. Support your spouse's basic approach to raising kids -- unless it's way out of line. Criticizing or arguing with your partner will do more harm to your marriage and your child's sense of security than if you accept standards that are different from your own. Instead of simply saying, "You're great," try to be specific about what your child did to deserve the positive feedback. You might say, "Waiting until I was off the phone to ask for cookies was hard, and I really liked your patience. Cheer the good stuff. When you notice your child doing something helpful or nice, let him know how you feel.

It's a great way to reinforce good behavior so he's more likely to keep doing it.

Gossip about your kids. What we overhear is far more potent than what we are told directly. Make praise more effective by letting your child "catch" you whispering a compliment about him to Grandma, Dad, or even his teddy. Give yourself a break. Hitting the drive-through when you're too tired to cook doesn't make you a bad parent. Trust your mommy gut.

50 Easy Ways to Be a Fantastic Parent

No one knows your child better than you. Follow your instincts when it comes to his health and well-being. If you think something's wrong, chances are you're right. You will never, ever regret spending more time with your children. Don't accept disrespect from your child.

Never allow her to be rude or say hurtful things to you or anyone else. If she does, tell her firmly that you will not tolerate any form of disrespect. Pass along your plan. Mobilize the other caregivers in your child's life -- your spouse, grandparents, daycare worker, babysitter -- to help reinforce the values and the behavior you want to instill. This includes everything from saying thank you and being kind to not whining. Ask your children three "you" questions every day. The art of conversation is an important social skill, but parents often neglect to teach it.

Get a kid going with questions like, "Did you have fun at school? Teach kids this bravery trick. Tell them to always notice the color of a person's eyes. Making eye contact will help a hesitant child appear more confident and will help any kid to be more assertive and less likely to be picked on. Acknowledge your kid's strong emotions. When your child's meltdown is over, ask him, "How did that feel? He'll recover from a tantrum more easily if you let him talk it out. Show your child how to become a responsible citizen.