That magical day your child was born was probably one of, if not THE, happiest times in your life. There is no stronger connection than that between a parent and child. Put the tips in this article to use if you want to maintain that connection with your child for years to come.

You don’t have to spend thousands on quality nursery gear. You can purchase items cheaper at many department stores like Walmart, while sill getting high quality furniture like cribs and changing tables. Also, consider borrowing some nursery products from friends or family members.

Consider what you are actually saying to your child. Your kids need to know that you are trustworthy.

If you clear a spot on the kitchen countertop, next to the sink, you can lay your child on a towel there and wash his hair and scalp under the faucet. This should make your child more comfortable with getting his head and hair wet.

Infants and young children should not be given either diet or regular sodas. Instead, choose beverages that provide nutrients, like milk, juice without added sugar, and water.

No matter the age of a child, if they walk to school, it is important to be wearing reflective materials. These should be on clothes or backpacks for best visibility. You can also purchase this material in Velcro, which will make it easier for your child to strap on. Your child will be visible to drivers in the darker early morning and late afternoon hours.

Never smoke in the house if you are a parent. Even better, quit smoking. The effects of secondhand smoke are as bad as smoking itself. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at risk of developing respiratory diseases like bronchitis, asthma and even pneumonia.

If you child is teething, chill some pickles, cucumbers or carrots and let your child gnaw on them using a mesh teether. There are certainly other methods that work, but the odds of your child continuing to gnaw are best if tasty items are involved. Encourage your child to keep chewing, and those sore gums will feel better as the day progresses.

Sometimes you will neglect yourself when caring for your children, but you need to be a priority sometimes as well. Even just a couple of minutes to recharge your batteries away from the kids can be just what you need as a break. By the time you return, you will feel ten times better and it will be reflected in the interactions between your children and yourself.

If you want to keep toddlers and younger kids from getting bored and cranky on long car trips, make frequent rest stops. It may seem like getting to your destination fast is most important, but odds are that a slower trip will be far more enjoyable for you and the kids. Allow your kids to burn off that extra energy by stopping at parks, family-friendly restaurants and outdoor play areas.

Becoming a step-parent means there is a long road ahead of you before you will be accepted. Kids are often upset that their parents split up, and may take that resentment out on you. By going slowly and not trying to accelerate a bond, you and your stepchild will gradually learn to coexist and perhaps even become buddies.

Children with ADHD, Aspergers or other conditions that contribute to impulsive behavior shouldn’t be allowed to have too much unstructured time on their hands. Children who suffer with ADHD need to be able to expel their extra energy, in order to avoid bad behavior. Make sure your child gets plenty of exercise during the day: go for a walk or a bike ride, for instance.

It is immensely important to establish a respectful, loving relationship with your young child so that when they become a teenager you will have that healthy foundation for open communication. Teenage years can be a difficult time to try to start an ease for dialogue. With the information in this article, you can start that special relationship, or work to strengthen it.