It's over and over and over, proven the most important thing is a stable 2 parent house hold.
Pretty much don't be my parents and you will be alright.
Some real simple things I found/learned quickly when dealing with discipline, (the least fun part of parenting/baby sitting/ or child care in general) never threaten, you calmly explain how a punishment will be issued if X happens. If X happens apply the punishment. Kids depending on age have next to no memory on moral. Much like you shouldn't punish a dog for pooping on the rug, the next day same with kids.
Threatening depending on personality will either get them to test the bounds if you really will apply the punishment, or stress them assuming it's coming anyway so, act poorly.
I'm spoiled and the kids in my life are really well behaved so I don't know about raising a finger, time out is the biggest gun I've had to pull out.
Child care gets very lord of the flies very quickly at so so many places. It's creepy. Socializing children is important, but use your friends with kids, find groups that are for this. They have them, pre K stuff like that.
Both parents working are more and more common and I find that profoundly sad. What bothers me is people whom assume family is going to be free child care. Yes it's healthier but Grandma should be Grandma, hopefully she will be included much into a childs life, but she raised the parents. Now she's still a moral compass but also this is her time to not play mom still, but to sneak a cookie before dinner. Cleary at times people other than your parents will need to apply discipline. Personally I find this healthy as children come to learn the system of adults are in charge. This can also be tricky as we all know the if mommy says no ask daddy mind set. So, if you are going to leave your child in care of someone make sure their thoughts on raising a kid matches up, it doesn't matter if it's free, or easy if this person doesn't have a same mind set on how to grow a child. DO NOT LET THEM in care.
Public schools are more and more becoming just day care for parents and I highly suggest other options. We aren't exactly sure whats going to happen but just this week I had a spat with my god daughters parents over this. I might shell out to get them into a private school. inb4 lolcuck. How this all will get arranged or set up is the cause of the rift.
Kids till puberty really don't have much a filter emotionally speaking a lot of it isn't there but learned from socializing to be honest. Show them love, humor them, it means the world to them. Everyone enjoys talking about their hobbies. Show them your passions, it lights a big spark as they view you as worthy of respect. I got asked by one of my god daughters what my favorite movie was since she's 7 I didn't get into a long thing about noir, themes and how there's so many good movies etc. I shot off a movie I really like. In this case I named Top Gun. She's been to the library twice, for air plane books because Uncle Bass liked a fighter jet film.
The one thing I feel is kinda funny people are so anti violence but, I think we can all look back the worst thing a parent can say to you is "I'm disappointed in you." Yea, I preferred getting hit.
