That magical day your child was born was probably one of, if not THE, happiest times in your life. The mother and child connection is one of the strongest human bonds we can experience. These parenting tips can help you keep your connection strong with your kids and your child is the best he can be.

After making a clear space on the counter, cover it with a rolled-up towel. Position your child so that his or her head is over the sink, then run water from your faucet onto the scalp and hair. This can help many toddlers who fear having water poured on their head or don’t like their head being dunked in the water.

If you’re traveling with your little one, maintain the mealtime and bedtime routines that you do at home. Children find travel stressful, and this is particularly true in the case of infants. Observing the same routine you had at home should make your young child feel comfortable in this new environment.

While your kids need your time too, you still need “you” time. Spending time on your own doing the things that you enjoy allows you to maintain your own sense of individuality.

Transitioning between tasks can be challenging for preschool age children. It can be stressful to make an abrupt switch from one activity to another, and your child’s behavior may suffer.

Parents with teenagers should try to abstain from forcing their own preferences for college; letting the child decide what to do will make the teenager both happy, and responsible for their own mistake, if they believe it is one later on. Teenagers do not like being told what to do so they may choose the complete opposite out of spite.

If your child is miserable from teething, you could try to put cucumbers, carrots or even sour pickles into a mesh teether. Other things can also provide relief, but children generally prefer chewing on something that has some taste. The longer you can get your child to use the teething device, the more relief they will have during the day.

You have to take care of yourself if you want to be able to give your best to your family. No matter what is going on during the day, give yourself a few minutes to relax and become re-energized. You will feel better, and your children will be happier as a result.

Don’t forget your child’s favorite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal when traveling. A vacation should be a fun and relaxing break for the family, but to a young child it may just seem like a disruption in their routine. If your child has a familiar toy, keep it handy during your transition to a new environment. They can more easily adjust to a new setting with their favorite object grounding them.

Make sure that you know it might take awhile for your stepchild to get used to you. Kids are often upset that their parents split up, and may take that resentment out on you. Not being pushy, and allowing the relationship with your stepchildren to grow over time, is the best way to learn how to be a part of each other’s lives.

When your child is young, it is important to form a relationship that is both strong and meaningful. The positive effects of this type of relationship will spill over into your child’s teen years, when they are less likely to open up to their parent. Apply the tips from this article to build and strengthen this relationship.