Parenting Tips

By Tom McMahon
King Features Syndicate

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Being the night owl in my household, I'm the one who walks through the house turning off lights, computers and our daughters' assortment of electronic gadgets, including headphones that are still blaring next to the bed. Then I pause for a few minutes — sometimes longer — at the threshold of their bedrooms and watch them sleep. I stand there in awe of life, feeling blessed and appreciative. I've been doing this since they were newborns. It is a great way to end a day and to refocus on what is important in life. If you are a parent, you surely have experienced these types of moments.

My daughters are young adults now, studying far from home. When thinking of them now, I have the same sense of pride, thankfulness and blessings that I experienced standing over their cribs when they were 2 days old.

HEARTWARMING MOMENTS: At least once a day, I catch myself pausing to reflect on how much I love and appreciate my three children. Sometimes it happens when I take a few extra minutes to watch them walk into their school after I drop them off, or when I pause at their bedroom doorway to watch them play before I announce my presence. Sometimes I get warm and fuzzy feelings just by looking at them across the breakfast table. For me, it's important to take the time to experience these brief, heartwarming moments. It keeps me on track and focused on my family. — R.R.W., Reading, Pa.

LINOLEUM PROTECTS CARPET: I keep a 6-by-6-foot piece of linoleum on hand to protect my carpet from messy arts and crafts projects. Whenever my children ask for toys or art supplies that could stain my carpet, I put the sheet of linoleum down first. Spills are a cinch to clean up, and the linoleum rolls up for easy storage. You also can use a sheet of linoleum as a permanent carpet protector under a child's desk, high chair or other area where spills or messes are likely. — Linda A., Fremont

"LOOK UP AT BIG BIRD": When my three kids were small, I had a lot of trouble trying to get them to hold their heads back in order to prevent the shampoo and water from getting into their eyes during a bath. So I hung a large "Sesame Street" poster on the ceiling over the tub, and when it came time for the rinse, I would tell them to "Look up at Big Bird." It worked like a charm. — Carolyn Racicot, East Longmeadow, Mass.

DRIVING CONTRACT: Soon after my son received his driver's license, I gave him a written contract to sign, which listed his responsibilities for using the family car. He was responsible for all tickets, paying for his own gas, washing the car weekly, checking the fluid levels weekly and returning the car on time for the rest of the family to use. If my son failed on any of these responsibilities, his car privileges could be taken away (this also was included in the contract). — M.I., Minneapolis

E-mail Tom McMahon at tom@kidtips.com.