Honestly speaking, spoiling a child is easier than keeping him grounded. This is because most parents confuse love with happiness. However, a spoiled child will grow disobedient, insensitive and manipulative. Here are some ways to avoid raising a spoiled child.

Set Clear Limits

Set rules and be clear about it. For instance, if your toddler is only allowed to eat one scoop of ice cream, instead of saying “Okay, you can eat ice cream.” which makes your toddler think that he can ask for a second one, say “You can only have one scoop of ice cream.”.

Be Firm

When you set limits, make sure you adhere to it. When your toddler makes pleas so you will buy him a toy even if you just bought him one last week, do not comply. Do not feel obligated, guilty or think of yourself as a bad parent when your toddler cries or insists on something. Your toddler is only testing you to see if you will give in, and once you do, those limits will be useless. Being consistent with your rules makes your toddler realize that he will not always get everything he wants which will make him obey you.

Do Not Be Afraid To Disappoint

Yes, seeing your toddler cry is heartbreaking. But when it is for his own good, denial is perfectly okay. Giving your toddler whatever he wants is not a way of showing how much you love him. Doing this can be dangerous as this will only make him push his desires to the extent of violating your rules and discipline policies. Refusing to buy him a new toy will make him dislike you, but will that last for a day? No. Let him cry and scream. His frustration will be gone in no time.

Set Up A Reward System

Children who are handed things easily tend to take things for granted. Create a reward system for good behaviour and let him earn something little by little. For instance, if he wants a bike, tell him that you will only buy him one if he clears the dining table for a month. Or if he wants to watch TV, he has to put away his toys or finish his food first. This will make him understand that if he wants something or he wants to have fun, he has to work hard first.

Give Your Toddler Freedom

Freedom to handle his own struggles that is. Let your toddler make his own choices, weigh the pros and cons and work through manageable problems without helping him. Do not do for him what he can do for himself. If in case he makes a bad choice, do not reprimand him. Let him stew until he regains his composure and then talk to him. Help him process his feelings. It is okay to allow your toddler to be annoyed sometimes. This teaches your toddler to think on his own and to own up to his problems and come up with solutions to resolve them.

Focus On The Positive

Every time your toddler is doing good, commend him. Praising him each time he says please and thank you or for not crying because he cannot eat chips reinforces good behaviour which will make him more motivated to behave properly.

Raising a well-mannered child starts at home. With your love, support and firm discipline methods, your toddler will grow into an adult who is prepared for the real world.

While it may seem unimportant to teach toddlers the value of money, bear in mind that in this modern time, children are becoming more aware of money matters. Thus, it is very crucial to start educating them at an early age. Here are some tried and tested tips on how to teach children about money.

Talk To Your Toddler

As soon as your toddler can count, introduce him to money – what it is, how it works and why it is important. Your toddler has to know that there is a cost involved in what you are buying for him. Otherwise, he may just think that you never ran out of money or that if he breaks his toy, you can just buy him a new one. Just keep the conversation brief and causal, say, over dinner, while you are grocery shopping or withdrawing money from the ATM. The earlier you teach your child the value of money, the better he will understand its significance.

Take Your Toddler Shopping

Reinforce this lesson through exposure. Take your little one with you whenever you shop. When you are in a grocery or department store, talk about how much money something costs. Teach him to look at prices and to weigh things. For instance, you can say “If I buy this dress, I will not be able to buy food. Food is more important than the dress, so I will have to skip the dress.” This teaches your toddler that not everything he likes, he can get in a whim even if he can afford it.

Give Him Allowance

Provide an age-appropriate allowance for your toddler. You can give it to him on a weekly basis. A 4-year old can get $2 each week. Encourage him to set aside a portion of his allowance for savings. In case he wants to buy a robot that costs $10 yet he only has $2, do not buy it for him. Tell him to save his allowance so he can go back and purchase the robot. This teaches your toddler the value of saving and hard work.

Open A Savings Account

As your little one gets older, consider opening a bank account for him. Most banks have a special kids’ program complete with educational materials and online activities or special incentives when a specific monetary goal is reached to encourage children to save money. This activity helps your toddler comprehend how banks work and the value of regular, planned savings.

Encourage Him To Make Money

Let your toddler take on small jobs like sweeping the floor, picking up the leaves in your backyard or folding the laundry. Create a chart and stick it on the wall so he can see his progress. For instance, if he completes seven days of his “small task”, give him a dollar. Or why not encourage him to start his own business, like putting up a lemonade stand during summer or selling his outgrown toys at a garage sale. You can do it together or ask his older sibling to help him out. The older one is in charge of the money while he will be the assistant. Earning money gives children a sense of pride.

Volunteer

Another way to teach toddlers the value of money is by teaching them to give. Do it as a family. Shop for food together and deliver it to your local center. Help him sort out his clothes and donate the items to homeless shelters. Doing this makes your toddler realize that money is not limitless, some people are in dire need of it and the more fortunate ones can help those with less.

Most importantly, be a role model. There is no better way to teach your toddler the value of money by practicing the values you want to instil in him.

Raising boys is very different from raising girls. Toddler boys are more boisterous. Their rambunctious energy need guidance to ensure that they grow up to be the best man they can be. Here are some tips from parents with little boys to help you out.

Be An Example

The first step is to realize that your little boy is watching your every word and action, so always be courteous and respectful to others. For example, when you are having an argument with your husband, do not do it in front of your son, let your husband open the car door for you, always say please and thank you. Good manners are both “taught” and “caught” as children observe their parents showing politeness and compassion to one another.

Allow Your Son To Show His Emotions

They say real men do not cry. While it is expected for boys to be strong and to stifle their tears and their anger, it is much better for boys to learn how to express their emotions. When your little boy gets upset, let him express himself as long as he is not violent or out of control. Once he has cooled down, talk to your little boy about what he is feeling and why. Help him label his emotions, whether it is angry, hurt, sad or scared. Giving him an outlet (e.g. drawing, playing the guitar, etc.) is also another way for him to redirect and express his emotions in a more positive manner.

Make Your Son Responsible

A sense of responsibility will be very beneficial for him especially for his home and school life. Following instructions and completing tasks are two skills that are slow to develop in boys. Give him some responsibility by assigning him simple household chores. Assign your little boy to set-up the dining table, fix his bed, place his laundered clothes in the closet or ask him to help you water the plants.

Teach Your Son Important Manners

Teach your son how to respect people, especially women. Encourage him to be a gentleman by opening doors for you, not hitting girls, to speak out when someone is being bullied, to offer his seat to women and old people and to carry packages. Teach him to smile when greeting people, say excuse, to not use words that could offend others (swear words) and to say “sorry” when he has hurt someone. Talk to your toddler. Explain the emotions of people or the characters in books and television to help him make the connection. By teaching your son these little gestures at an early age, a respectful attitude towards others will be cultivated.

Make Time For Play

Boys tend to have a lot of energy and repressed energy can turn into disturbing behaviour. Add physical activities to his daily routine. Let him play with the neighbour’s kids on the playground. Play simple activities together that can help enhance his motor skills and fulfill his thirst for action.

Encourage, Not Discourage

Never compare him to other toddler boys. If your toddler boy loves to dance, do not enroll him in a taekwondo class. Encourage his interests even if they are not “boy” activities. Instilling a strong sense of self in your toddler will make it easier for him to accept and respect other people’s differences.

Show Your Love

As your little boy gets older, he will likely feel embarrassed with your hugs and kisses especially when there are other people around. But even if he says he does not want it, he still needs affection. Think of sneaky ways to show physical affection – a quick hug when no one is around, a goodnight kiss, a pat on the back or a handshake. Praise your toddler boy for his good behaviour.

Raising toddler boys is a challenge. But, with the help of these tips, you can raise a thoughtful, well-rounded son you can be proud of.