Parenting and Family Education

Posts Tagged ‘Sleep’

Good mothers and fathers come in many styles. Each one of us has different strengths, interests, and values that make us great parent. Donâ??t let yourself become discouraged or disappointed when others â??give you adviceâ?? that doesnâ??t seem to mesh with who you are. Maybe youâ??re not a roll around on the floor kind of parent with your child.  Maybe youâ??ve decided to hang back and let your little one explore. Thatâ??s great! As long as it works for you and your child, nobody should be able to convince you that your method is incorrect or wrong. Once you recognize and embrace your own personal parenting style, you can stop trying to live up to everyone else’s expectations and get on with the business of enjoying being a parent.

Itâ??s important to keep in mind too, that these well-meaning advice givers donâ??t know your child as well as you.  They arenâ??t there with your child night and day, watching him grow, learn, explore, play, eat, and sleep.  Only you know whatâ??s best for your child, and you know what works best in your household and for your lifestyle.  As with anything, figuring things out along the way will involve trial and error.Â

So when you receive yet another unsolicited piece of advice regarding your childâ??s napping or nighttime sleeping habits, keep both your and your childâ??s personal style in mind.  Youâ??ve done the legwork, youâ??ve experimented, and youâ??ve learned together what works and what doesnâ??t work.  The cues should come from your instincts regarding your child and from your child directly.  Thereâ??s no such thing as a hard-and-fast rule for sleep habits among children other than it is needed! As your child grows, his cues may change, but as long as you stay in tune with him, his sleep habits shouldnâ??t have to suffer as a result. And neither should yours.

As good mothers and fathers, we all differ in many ways. We all have various interests, strengths and values which make us good parents. Advice from other parents should be taken with “a pinch of salt”, as they may not live up to your expectations; don’t be disappointed or discouraged if others try to put you right. You may not be one for getting down to child’s level by rolling around on the floor with your child; you prefer to let your child explore and find things out on their own, and that’s your prerogative. Whatever suits you and your child is a good enough method, and no one should be able to tell you otherwise! Recognise your own personal parenting style and embrace it, as it is your business how you go about things as a parent; it’s your expectations that matter to help you enjoy parenting.

Keep in mind that others may give you advice and mean well, but at the end of the day, you know your child better. You see how your child is day and night, as he eats, sleeps, grow, explores, learns and plays. You will soon know what works best for your child, the lifestyle that you have and what is better all round for your household. It all involves trial and error, just like anything else in life that is new.

People will always offer the advice on what you should do, especially regarding your child’s napping and their sleeping habits at bedtime, so remember that yours and your child’s personal style matters the most. You have already covered what works best for you and your child, and what doesn’t so you should continue with that pattern. Sleep habits vary from one child to another, so there are no rules to follow except, knowing that your child needs their sleep! Your child’s sleeping pattern will change as he gets older, so you can adapt to suit him. By keeping in tune with your child, their sleeping habits shouldn’t become a problem, or for you!