Raising Your Young Adult: How to Deal with Stubborn Teenagers

The teenage years is a very difficult period not only for you as the parent but for you teenager as well. Most parents would ask how to deal with stubborn teenagers since this age is really where independence and individuality is cultivated. But you need not worry about this stage, a lot of parents have gone through their child's own teenage years and most of them have actually succeeded. 

Here are some hints on how to deal with stubborn teenagers:

One way to deal with stubborn teenagers is to listen very carefully – most parents are not aware of it, but stubborn teenagers can actually result from stubborn parents. After puberty, most kids think they are already adults ready to face the world; luckily, parents are wise enough to know that this is not true. However, parents may think too little of their teens to a point that they still treat them as kids whose ideas are just kid stuff.

The truth of the matter is, the teenager is more mature than kids, albeit still not mature enough – this means that your teenager may have something to say about themselves or the way they wish to be treated. Listen to what they say first before saying what you think. Oftentimes, parents just stubbornly and automatically deflect anything their teens have to say, this in turn makes the teenager just act like their stubborn parents and become stubborn teenagers.

When stubborn teenagers give their perspective, acknowledge it even if you do not agree. It is important for stubborn teenagers to know that you have heard their opinion on things. But you do not necessarily have to follow it or agree with it, after all, in most cases, your teen may just be asking for your advice or if you have other ideas in mind. After acknowledging your teen's idea it is then you can say what you think should be.

To deal with stubborn teenagers, imagine yourself in your teenager's shoes. You were also a teenager years or decades ago and you should know how difficult such times were. But do not dwell too much on your own experiences because your teen is probably facing different challenges in life. A lot of parents say things like "I know better because I have been there" in hopes of preventing their children from doing something. But that is actually an invitation for the child to be even more curious of such circumstances.


Another way to deal with stubborn teenagers is to avoid making use of labels when talking to your child, especially during arguments. Labels might sound meaningless when you blurt them out, but they can easily get into your teenager's mind whether the label is positive or negative. It is important to allow your teenager to let him or her self be without labels being attached. Otherwise, stubbornness might stem from your teenager's effort to veer away from the labels.

Try to avoid debating with your child about matters of opinion. Even if debates occur to convince a party of your opinion, what it actually does is to strengthen the other party's hold on their opinion as both of you create reasons for believing your stand. In this case it is better to show why your opinion might be better and allow your teenager to see for himself or herself what makes you think you are right.

Stubbornness is somewhat inevitable for teenagers, but it might actually be a necessary trait at this point where they are developing their identities. What matters is that you are there for them at this critical stage with much love and understanding. With an open mind and a sound heart you would be able to know how to deal with stubborn teenagers.

Did you know that there are simple but amazing methods for raising teenage kids? Raising your teen doesn't have to be an ordeal (for either of you). Learn how you can enjoy a calm, peaceful, and fulfilling relationship with your teen. Discover how to deal with stubborn teenagers visit Teen Repair

Baby Sleep Aids – So Everyone Can Sleep Well

How many times in the last few weeks have you tried to get your baby to sleep but to no avail?  Millions of families go through this every night and when all else fails, baby sleep aids can help you to get some of the sleep you deserve and crave for.

The problem is that there are many baby sleep aids available, so which one do you choose?    Here are a few examples of baby sleep aids that are commonly used and that you may wish to try to see if they’ll help to solve your baby’s sleeping problem..

Firstly, how can you go wrong with the good old blanket?  At some point, every single one of us has us clung on to a blanket as babies.  The comfort, security, and warmth will leave a baby feeling cozy and allow him to relax if he’s having trouble sleeping.  It’s one of the best and most used baby sleep aids ever.

As a variation of this, you could use some other transitional object such as a teddy bear, or possibly mom’s t-shirt, so that your baby can settle down with a smell that he or she is comfortable with.

Unfortunately though, there are times when a blanket or other transitional object just won’t be enough, so you may wish to consider utilizing another baby sleep aid or baby sleep technique.

Night lights are also common baby sleep aids and can help make your child feel a little more comfortable in their dark surroundings.  Although we may not know it, babies may often wake up and cry because they aren’t used to being alone and they don’t recognise their surroundings.  A night light will give them security when they open their eyes. Being in familiar surroundings and being able to see the baby toys above the bed or stars on the ceiling will put them at ease.

Music or sounds are also great types of baby sleep aids you might want to try if you haven’t already.  Soft, carefree music such as classical musical at low volumes is very soothing for a baby’s ears which can help get them to sleep.  You could even leave this music playing through the entire night if it helped.  Alternatively, white noise, which can sound horrible to adults, can be extremely soothing for a baby.  A fan, having the television on, or even the sounds of nature …. birds, rain or whale sounds are very common. There are also white noise CD’s you can buy with the sound of a vacuum cleaner or washing machine etc. Again, these sound rather strange but really can help.

Although all of these are all capable baby sleep aids and many parents will testify to their effectiveness, it is also possible that none of them may work for your child.  No two children are the same and so there is unfortunately no single cure-all for baby sleeping problems.  However, with some tried and tested baby sleep techniques, a good sleep routine and the odd baby sleep aid thrown in for good measure, you and your baby can soon be getting the full nights sleep that you richly deserve.

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Solving a Baby Sleep Problem

As any parent will be aware, good quality baby sleep is an essential basis for a child’s future health and development. The pleasure in seeing a baby sleep is hardly measurable but having to see (and hear) your baby when they just won’t or can’t go to sleep can be torture for a parent.

To help in solving a baby sleep problem and to teach your baby to sleep through the night, getting your baby into a regular, fuss-free, sleep routine is so important.

If you haven’t already, you should seriously consider establishing some sort of bedtime routine for your baby. Routine helps to establish baby’s sleep pattern and once it is established your baby will be happier, more content, and more likely to sleep through the night.

Here are several things you can do to establish a bedtime routine for your baby:

Most of us have some kind of winding down routine before we go to sleep and this should be no different for your baby. Perhaps the sleep routine could begin with a bath, followed by a slow dimming of the lights (so they realise it is getting near to sleep time), then a change of nappy or diaper, putting them in the crib or cot and finishing with a bedtime story or lullaby.

You don’t need to follow the above routine to the letter, you may wish to do it in a different order, or have a different routine entirely, but the important thing is that you create a baby sleep routine that you follow night after night after night until it becomes a habit for your child.

Whenever you begin this routine, your baby will know that sleep is expected to follow. Babies and infants are creatures of habit, they enjoy the predictability of a sleep ritual and so a regular routine like this can help settle your baby more quickly and also increase the chances of him or her sleeping through the night.

Providing a routine and the same sleep environment each time is crucial to providing the ideal scenario for restful baby sleep.

You should begin a bedtime routine in the early weeks of your baby’s life if at all possible but if your baby is already older than this, just get a routine established as soon as you can.

If you already have some sort of sleep routine for your child but they still have a baby sleep problem, take a close look at the bedtime routine you have created for your baby to see if can be improved.

You should also create a daily naptime routine too when it is feasible to do so as this helps night time sleep very much.

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What Parents Should Know About a Baby Sleep Pattern

Is there anything more precious than a sleeping baby? I think not. But that is as long as they are sleeping. Babies are notorious for being wide awake and ready to go at night time and ready to rest and sleep during the day. This would be fine if the rest of the world operated like this. But it doesn’t. So what exactly does a baby sleep pattern look like?

How is a Baby’s Sleep Pattern Different than an Adult’s?

Yes, babies sleep a lot, especially newborns. Your new baby will sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day. Unfortunately, this is not during the typical hours of 6pm and 8am. A baby’s sleep pattern is much shorter than an adult’s and this is why babies continually wake. When an adult wakes from sleep they roll over and go back to sleep, this is not so easy for a baby. A baby has not yet learned how to go back to sleep. It seems odd that this is a learned behavior, but it’s true. Until your new baby learns how to fall back to sleep, he or she will rely on you to help them get back to sleep.

A baby sleep pattern also has double the amount of light sleep cycles than an adult’s. For the sleep deprived adult desperately trying everything to lull their precious bundle to sleep, this can be excruciating. Because of the many light sleep cycles, babies wake up very easily. You’ve rocked, cuddled and finally little Jr. nods off. You slip off to the nursery and just as Jr. touches the mattress he wakes up! Back to the rocking chair! Understanding this aspect of a baby sleep pattern will at least help you keep your patience, if not anything else.

How Can I Help my Baby Sleep Better?

Naturally, as a newborn matures, so will the baby’s sleep pattern. Ideally, by the time baby reaches 7-12 weeks, a regular sleep pattern will have been established. And hopefully, this will be between the hours of 10 pm – 7 am. New parents can hang onto the hope that by the time baby is 6 months old, your baby’s sleep pattern will include up to 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

If baby is fussy, make sure that the diaper is clean, that he or she is well fed and just the right temperature. Since crying is the only means of communication, a fussy baby could have one of many things wrong. A comfortable baby is more likely to fall asleep. If his or her face is red or if the hair is damp, baby is too warm. No one is comfortable when he or she is too warm and this includes babies. Just remove a blanket or turn down the heat and watch as your baby’s sleep pattern comes naturally.

Solve your baby's sleeping problems, visit The Baby Sleep Solution

Coping with Infant Sleep Disorders

Unfortunately, sleep disorders can plague infants as well as adults.

There are many types of infant sleep disorders, however a physician is often the only person who can properly diagnose them.

Infants have irregular sleep patterns because of their need to frequently eat. There are some sleep disorders that are learned behavior instead of a legitimate disease. These types of sleep disorders can be overcome without medication by changing the child’s environment and gently teaching them to improve their sleep habits.

As a child gets older, they go through a period of having nightmares. Sleep terrors or night terrors are other forms of sleep disorders. The child usually outgrows these forms of sleep disorders.

Infant sleep apnea is defined as an infant who stops breathing for short periods of time in their sleep. This type of sleep disorder is diagnosed most in premature babies. In fact, it is a proven fact that a premature baby is more likely to have sleep apnea than a baby that is born at full term.

Usually, all that is needed is to rub the baby’s back or nudge them and they will start breathing on their own again. In rare cases, infant CPR is needed to revive the baby.

Bringing home an infant who suffers from sleep apnea is a very scary time in any parent’s life. The fear of their child stopping breathing in the middle of the night can cause any parent to sit up all night beside the crib.

Before any hospital releases a baby who has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, the parent or parents are required to go through an infant CPR course.

When the baby is released, it is usually with a piece of machinery called an apnea monitor. This type of monitor is attached to the baby’s chest with electrodes that monitor the baby’s breathing. The monitor is adjusted to each baby and will only sound if it detects abnormal breathing patterns.

If the baby’s breathing is too shallow or stops altogether, the monitor will sound a loud high-pitched alarm to alert you of the danger.

For anyone who has experienced this sound, especially in the middle of the night, it can be a heart stopping experience.

The baby needs to be attached to the monitor all of the time he or she is sleeping. During waking hours, it is not necessary to use the monitor.

Medical personnel will go to your home and take readings from the monitor to make sure that it is working properly and also that it is being used properly. They will then forward a report to your baby’s pediatrician for him or her to monitor.

Only your baby’s pediatrician can determine when the monitor is no longer necessary. He or she will discuss with you the progress of your baby before any decisions are finalized.

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Baby Monitors – How to Choose the Ideal Monitor for Your Baby

When you are expecting a baby, you want to make sure that the nursery is complete. You have the crib, the changing table, the dresser and the mobile, but do you have a baby monitor?

A baby monitor is an electronic device that allows you to hear your baby crying even if you are in another part of your house.

A baby monitor comes in two pieces. The transmitter, which is placed in the nursery and the receiver that is placed in whatever room you are in.

Standard baby monitors can transmit up to six hundred feet but there are some deluxe models that can transmit up to three thousand feet.

A baby monitor receiver runs on batteries (so that it can be portable and you can carry it around the house with you), while the transmitter is plugged into an outlet. Most will have back-up batteries in case of power failure.

When you are shopping for a baby monitor, it is important to test it before you buy. Most retailers understand your needs and will have no objections. You are looking for a clear sound. If you hear static, then move on to another brand. Remember you get what you pay for. It is better to spend a little more now and have the assurance that your baby’s needs won’t go unattended because you didn’t hear him or her.

As you would expect, some baby monitors are very basic whereas others have all of the possible ‘bells and whistles’. Some of the features you may wish to consider when buying a monitor are as follows:

An indicator light on the receiver that will alert you when the batteries are low and need to be changed. You don’t want to think that all is quiet in baby’s room only to find that in fact your batteries have run out.

Another light display on some monitors will allow you to see if your baby is crying without turning up the volume. There is a set of lights on the receiver. The louder your baby cries, the more lights are lit up.

If you have a large home or enjoy working in your garden, it is possible to buy multiple receivers for different areas of your home.

For those who want to monitor the baby even more closely, there are some baby monitors that have motion detectors, and even video so you can see what your baby is doing.

There are a few disadvantages to having a baby monitor. It is sometimes possible to hear conversations of nearby neighbors if they are using a cell or cordless phone. This has been a concern since the inception of cordless phones and can create a problem if you have a cordless phone in your own home also. Baby monitor companies have recognized this problem however and have developed monitors that have multiple channels. With these, all you have to do is change the channel and the problem is eliminated.

The peace of mind a parent gains from knowing that baby is sleeping happily is immeasurable. A carefully chosen baby monitor helps to give you that peace of mind wherever you are in your house.

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Baby Sleep Safety – Reducing the Risk of SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is the largest known cause of death in children under the age of one. This terrifying syndrome occurs while the baby is sleeping. To date there is no known cure, or reason for that matter, as to why some children are affected while others aren’t. But the simple fact is that
over 2,500 babies die in the US each year from SIDS. Although the number of deaths have been lowered by around 40% by taking several preventative approaches and incorporating baby sleep safety methods to safe guard children from SIDS, there is no known way to fully avoid the occurrence of SIDS.

Baby Sleep Safety Tips. Here are some tips that can help to reduce the risk of SIDS:
  • Lay baby on his or her back. SIDS has been closely linked to children sleeping on their tummies.
  • Use a firm mattress. Avoid fluffy toys or pillows that may cause suffocation.
  • Don’t let baby get over heated during the night. Babies have a higher body temperature than we do and don’t require as many blankets – Don’t let baby freeze either though!
  • Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs before or after baby’s birth. Cigarette smoke is a known contributor to SIDS.
  • Participate in early and parental care clinics, especially if you are a first time parent.
  • Breast feed baby if at all possible. Babies that are breast-fed are statistically less likely to die from SIDS.
  • Offer your baby a pacifier during the first year of life. It is not known why but babies that are given pacifiers in the early stages of life are less likely to be claimed by SIDS.
  • Don’t sleep with baby in the same bed or let baby sleep in an adult bed. The baby has a greater risk of suffocation when in a bed designed for an adult. It is ok to comfort and feed baby in bed as long as he or she is returned to his or her proper bed afterward.
SIDS is unlike any other syndrome or disease. Most conditions surrounding an infant’s death are diagnosed by the symptoms associated with the death. SIDS on the other hand is only given as a diagnosis once all other possibilities are ruled out.

Risk Factors
. There are several specific risk factors or notable trends that can be seen in data relating to SIDS. These risks should be addressed and noted by parents that have babies in a high-risk category.
  • More boys than girls die from SIDS. There is not much that can be done about this statistic, it is more of
  • a notation.
  • Smoking, drinking alcohol and drug use are believed to be among the main contributing factors to SIDS. Simply put, if you value the life of your child, refrain from using harmful drugs such as these!
  • Poor parental care. Inexperienced or young parents are the highest risk. As long as a parent takes the time to get early and regular parental care checks and have the support of family and friends, there is much less risk of this occurring.
  • Premature babies are at a high risk of SIDS. Premature babies are born with a disadvantage to begin with and are usually very weak and under developed. This is more a notation than a prevention.
  • Mothers who are younger that 20 are at risk of having a baby die from SIDS. This can be for a variety of reasons such as inexperience or unintentional neglect.
By using the above tips and making yourself aware of the risk factors and taking baby sleep safety precautions you can reduce the likelihood of losing a child to SIDS. For parents who have lost a child to SIDS there are many wonderful support groups available to help go through the grieving process. To learn more visit The Baby Sleep Solution