First off, worry about the baby, not the discipline. That is not coming for a few years.
My priceless advice for babies:
get the book The Happiest Baby on the Block
Then when baby gets to toddler hood, get the Happiest Toddler on the Block, it gives wonderful insight into tantrums, and that it is really just tots
wanting to be heard.
And a book that every parent should be required to read: How to raise an emotionally intelligent child by John Gottman.
These books are worth their weight in gold.
Also get the Wonder Weeks, it actually predicts fussy periods and growth spurts.
For teething, use Hylands Teething tablets. Also, buy a bunch of pacififers, squeeze teh nipple under water and fill it up and freeze them. They are
great for teething. I discovered that one morning and would change them out when they warmed up. Which is why you need a bunch;. I have had parents
come back and thank me for this.
As for discipline, it really depends on the child.
My child, is extremely, loving and sociable and has to be around his people. The worst thing in the world is a time out abd being seperated from
people. A spanking hardly phases him.
Some kids are just the opposite.
Always be consistent as a parent,and you wont have to use discipline as much as you think. Once the kid knows you mean business, it takes a count of
till 2 for them to do what you want.
Never hit a child in the face. And I would use spankings infrequently.
Also, don't forget to show your child a lot of love, and support ,and give them one on one time. A child that is loved doesnt have a need to act out
for attention.
Its the same for children as it is for teens. If they have a good connection with the parents and feel secure, they won't act out that much. Just out
of frustration. When you talk to your child, get down on eye level with them, and they feel listened too. Don't get wordy,speak the same amount of
words they do. Just because children are undeveloped adults, doesn't mean they don't deserve respect and to be heard. It is not ok to belittle
them.
As in the book: how to raise an emotionally intelligent child, the author points out that if you came home, got mad and were telling your spouse why
you were mad and they started laughing at you, you would get pretty upset and feel belittled. Just because your child is little, doesn't mean the
effect isn't the same. And as cute as they can be when having a fit, hide the laughter, take them seriously. Laugh when they are not looking.
A saying I stick by: Children reflect the upbringing they receive.
You are not raising a child for yourself, you are raising them for a world.
edit on 23-1-2011 by nixie_nox because: (no reason given)