Happy Parenting!

(From The "Positive Parenting" Files...)

If you're the parent of a preschooler or toddler then you have probably encountered the problem of getting your child to sleep at a reasonable time. It seems like an impossible thing to do, especially when you look at the nearest clock which reads midnight and your little one is wide awake. What can you do to make the situation better?

First and foremost, you will need to find out exactly how long your child naps for during the day. You can easily request that your childcare provider limit the length of the midday nap. If you have already tried doing such then it is time to move on to more drastic tactics.

The key to getting your little one to sleep is to have a set routine and stick with it. Whether that is giving a bath, reading a book and then getting them off to bed or what have you, it is important to establish a routine. Starting off wrong can spell disaster for you in the long run.

Many experts suggest bargaining with your child. For example, if your little one enjoys drawing pictures you might make the following bargain, “One more picture and then it’s off to bed.” If that doesn’t work then you might consider having soft, soothing music play in the background. Quite often music can soothe the mind of even the most active youngster.

Another tip is to make sure that the décor of your child’s room is appealing to them. Have them help select the bed linen and wall appliqués as well. If your child feels that the room is inviting then they are more apt to want to spend more time in there. Your little one will begin to associate bedtime with going to their room that they like. This will make the bed time transition that much easier.

Cut down on sweets after dinner. Sugar can serve as an energy booster especially in small children who love to play. For toddlers and preschoolers the to play is to explore new things and have tons of fun. You will find that doing something as simple as cutting sweets out will have a powerful and lasting effect on the night time behavior of your child. It will also help in getting them to sleep and in the swing of a sleep routine.

If by chance you have tried all of the above and you are at your wits end, then you might need to speak with your child’s pediatrician for guidance. While erratic sleep times may appear to be normal amongst toddlers and preschoolers, it is important that you consult with a medical professional if you have tried everything to get your child to sleep.

One of the things that you might consider, prior to going to see a pediatrician, is to have your child sleep in bed with you. This may be helpful in getting them to bed at a reasonable time.

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I should know because I am one of the proud shepherds known as single parents. And while it can be tough, let me tell you the rewards are priceless.

Here are a few stats that I bet you didn't know:

1) There are an estimated 13.7 million single parents in the United States today? Well, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2009 report single parents are responsible for raising 26 percent of children who are under the age of 21 in the United States.

2) Single parenting is something that can either happen by choice or circumstance. (For most of us it is the latter, but there are a few out there who can find themselves straddling either category.

3) Many single parents live by the mantra that it "takes a village to raise a child" and readily call on their "village" of people to aid in the parenting process. This has an amazing impact on a child's life and can definitely have a positive impact that can last throughout adulthood.

So the next time you meet a single parent, tell them that they rock!

Amy Chua took the world by storm with her bestselling book entitled "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother." But, it seemed that most people misunderstood where she was going with it....

Anyone can be a tiger mom - and Chua certainly details the criteria for such. However, many readers tended to harp on her "unconventional" parenting methods (that even she mentioned did not always work)instead of reading the book and seeing it as one mother's ever-evolving and amazing journey into parenting.

Chua is different than most and similar in many uncanny ways to familial matriarchs coast-to-coast and around the world. Her savvy for motherhood is both refreshing and a bit unnerving. Sure, to the conventional American mind, she may have seemed to be a bit strict, but to her credit, the stern was the only way that she knew how to instill the tools for success in her children. Do I agree with everything that she did? Not, at all. Do I credit her for her bravery in revealing the intimate details? Absolutely.

No parent is perfect, so why judge Chua for methods that she soon found out were not as effective as she thought when employed on her children?