Relationships between parents and children are constantly changing throughout life. When you have a newborn, it seems like the umbilical cord is still attached because they depend on you for everything.

The parent and infant relationship at that point is always blissful although it is an exhausting time. As children grow so do your parenting skills. You begin to learn about different forms of child discipline and wonder which method is best. There is no definitive way to raise children however these tips can help you to maintain close and loving parent and child relationships.
A Child’s First “No”

Your parenting skills will be tested as soon as your wonderful and sweet child shouts out his first “No”. This is when you really need to start implementing child discipline. If you are trying to get your child to pick up his toys and you are told “no”, it is time to react. Calmly, tell the child that you are going to play a game. Bring him into the kitchen and set the timer for five minutes.

Kneel down to the child’s level to explain that if he can pick up all of the toys before the timer goes off, he will get a reward. Use your good parenting skills to make him aware that if the toys aren’t picked up before the buzzer goes off; the toys that are left on the floor will be taken away. Parents and children communicating with each other and firm but fair child discipline will help the child understand proper behavior .
Learning to Take Charge

It’s important that the both parents and children realize what their roles are in the family . This should be established early on in your child’s life. Your parenting skills or lack thereof can either help the child grow or have him overtake your household. The latter is never a good thing so it’s essential that you hone your parenting skills in order to maintain proper relationship between parents and children.
You Catch More Flies with Honey

As the old saying goes, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. This is true when it comes to parenting skills as well. Parents and children tend to butt heads as children become more and more independent. Kind and gentle child discipline from early on will help prevent your child from growing into a willful and problematic individual.

Always remember to listen to what your child is saying and try to understand their point of view. An open communication between parents and children is essential and should be implemented right from the beginning.

Nobody plans to raise their kids to be unruly brats. Those parents just never bothered to learn that appropriate parenting can increase the bonds between parents and children. Without the knowledge of appropriate and positive discipline, the household will always be in turmoil. Once you learn to use your child rearing skills wisely, both the parents and children will be able to enjoy life harmoniously.

Author's Bio: 

* Author, Seminar Leader, Motivational Speaker, Consultant ( www.wisie.com ) ( www.boblancer.com )
* Host of the WSB Radio Show Bob Lancer's Answers, focusing on the challenges of parenting, marriage and personal / professional development.
* Motivational Speaker for Large and midsized companies, associations, government agencies, schools, hospitals, youth groups and other organizations
* Child Behavior Expert of WXIA TV News (Atlanta's NBC TV affiliate)
* Host of Atlanta's Radio Disney show Ask Bob (helping kids deal with their issues)
* Featured Parenting Expert in local and national media
As a public speaker, seminar leader and consultant for over 25 years, Bob Lancer has been inspiring audiences around the nation and overseas, and setting them on a more direct and fulfilling path to total life-success, with his empowering insights and strategies.