children youth and family publications
Parenting
Principles of Parenting
The Challenge of Being a Parent
Parents want their children to be both strong and caring. This article explains the importance of developing children’s confidence as a way of helping them become strong adults. The article also discusses ways to teach children how to care for and respect others.
Number: CHFD-E-41-01 Date: 05/00 Pages: 4 Author Information
PDF Replacing Stress with Peace
Parents who feel stressed are less equipped to be sensitive to their children’s needs. Parents who recognize the things that cause stress in their lives, and who develop effective strategies for managing stress, are better prepared to take care of their children. This article includes a list of common stressors, as well as specific tips for managing stress such as making a list of things to do.
Number: CHFD-E-41-02 Date: 05/00 Pages: 6 Author Information
PDF Helping Your Children Succeed at Learning
Learning begins at home, and parents are children’s first teachers. This article includes a checklist of simple things parents can do in order to help their child learn. The article includes ideas for specific learning projects for different ages, ways to set up a “learning-friendly” home, and specific ideas such as setting up a reading area with pillows and a small desk.
Number: CHFD-E-41-04 Date: 05/00 Pages: 4 Author Information
PDF Building a Positive Relationship with Your Child
Building a positive relationship with a child is an ongoing process of establishing trust. Adults who handle control and power issues appropriately send positive messages to their children. This article explains some specific ways parents can improve their relationship with their children through better communication and appropriate use of positive behavior management techniques.
Number: CHFD-E-41-10 Date: 05/00 Pages: 4 Author Information
PDF Meeting Children's Needs
Although meeting children’s needs may be challenging, being available when your child needs you sends a clear message of love and trust. Changing a diaper, giving a child a snack, or helping a child hold something breakable communicates to a child that she is loved, and that she can trust her parents to support her. This article includes practical tips for being patient with children and for consistently meeting important needs.
Number: CHFD-E-41-11 Date: 05/00 Pages: 6 Author Information
PDF Building a Strong Bridge Between You and Your Children
Effective parents encourage and affirm their children. This article discusses topics such as the need to send clear messages of support and the importance of sharing your feelings with your children in helpful ways in order to build better communication.
Number: CHFD-E-41-12 Date: 05/00 Pages: 4 Author Information
PDF Something Better Than Punishment
Many parents struggle with how to effectively guide their children’s behavior. This article provides some basic tips on guidance and discipline. Topics covered include the importance of consistency, the need to set and enforce appropriate rules, and the role that consequences play in handling children’s misbehavior.
Number: CHFD-E-41-13 Date: 05/00 Pages: 8 Author Information
PDF Introduction
There are many ways to be an effective parent. This brochure provides an overview of each of the 14 articles in the Principles of Parenting series. Each discusses in detail the various topics that challenge many parents, including meeting children’s needs, guiding children’s behavior, and building strong relationships.
Number: CHFD-E-41-14 Date: 05/00 Pages: 4 Author Information
PDF Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Moving Your Grandchild Into Your Home
Moving your grandchild into your home can bring up many emotions for everyone in the family. This article touches on the many ways to make this transition as smooth and positive as possible. Give the children individual attention, and listen to their feelings. Encouraging the children to feel at home by putting up pictures and helping organize their rooms may also make the move easier for your grandchildren.
Number: CHFD-E-59-01 Date: 06/03 Pages: 4 Author Information
PDF | SpanishHelping Grandchildren Stay in Contact with Parents
Visits with your grandchild’s parents can be stressful on everyone, but there are ways to make these visits more comfortable. Being flexible with schedules and handling problems away from the child are important in making parent visits successful. Helping children cope with their own stress is also important for their well-being.
Number: CHFD-E-59-02 Date: 06/03 Pages: 4 Author Information
PDF | SpanishCaring for Yourself
Especially when raising your grandchildren is challenging, taking the time to take good care of yourself helps you be better-equipped to care for others. This article provides some ways to take care of yourself, including taking time for yourself, making a to-do list, delegating tasks, making a plan, relaxing, and learning how to do two things at once. Joining or starting a grandparent support group can also you share the challenges of raising your grandchildren.
Number: CHFD-E-59-03 Date: 06/03 Pages: 5 Author Information
PDF | SpanishHelping Your Grandchild Deal with the Death of a Parent
Dealing with the death of a parent can be hard for grandparents as well as grandchildren. This article explains the basic grieving process, and what it looks like for children of different ages. The article also includes practical ideas to help the child memorialize the parent (e.g., putting pictures of the parent in the child’s room, helping them explain their emotions, taking flowers to the cemetery).
Number: CHFD-E-59-04 Date: 06/03 Pages: 6 Author Information
PDF | SpanishWhat You Need to Know about Abuse and Neglect
No grandparent likes to think about a grandchild being mistreated, but grandparents raising grandchildren need to know about abuse. This article outlines the four basic types of abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, and neglect) and the warning signs of each type. The article also includes information about how to help a child who is, or has been, abused.
Number: CHFD-E-59-05 Date: 06/03 Pages: 6 Author Information
PDF | SpanishAccessing Resources in Your Community
Many grandparents need financial resources in order to care for their grandchildren. This article outlines some of the qualifications for various financial services (such as TANF, Medicaid, PeachCare and food stamps), as well as the time limits for receiving certain benefits. The article also highlights other supports for grandparents raising grandchildren, including grandparent support groups and community-based activities for children.
Number: CHFD-E-59-06 Date: 06/03 Pages: 6 Author Information
PDF | SpanishLegal Issues in Caring for Your Grandchildren
Raising grandchildren can bring up some challenging legal questions and concerns. Grandparents raising grandchildren need to be familiar with consent laws, the types of legal custody (legal guardianship, custody order, adoption, etc.), and the importance of having the right kind of lawyer to handle your particular situation.
Number: CHFD-E-59-07 Date: 06/03 Pages: 5 Author Information
PDF | SpanishCaring for Infants and Toddlers
Caring for infants and toddlers can be challenging. The article focuses on early brain development and other basics of early development, such as how they form attachments, the importance of repeating concepts, ways to incorporate making choices into children’s lives, and the ways that reading and singing help their development. The article also provides tips for making sure your home is safe for young children.
Number: CHFD-E-59-08 Date: 06/03 Pages: 5 Author Information
PDF | SpanishThe Teenage Years
Although there is a “generation gap” between teens and grandparents, there is no reason for you and your grandchild to drift apart as she gets older. Teens look to you as a role model for the ways they should behave. It’s important to take time to discuss “tough” topics like sex, drugs, smoking, and drinking. This article lists tips to keep communication lines open at all times, and stresses the importance of grandparents being “askable.”
Number: CHFD-E-59-09 Date: 06/03 Pages: 5 Author Information
PDF | SpanishHelping Your Preschooler Be Ready for School
Grandparents can help children get ready to start school by helping them practice skills such as following directions, sitting quietly for short periods of time, and dressing themselves. Activities such as reading aloud and cooking together can help build pre-reading and pre-math skills that will form a bridge between home and school.
Number: CHFD-E-59-10 Date: 06/03 Pages: 4 Author Information
PDF | SpanishHelping Your Grandchildren Succeed in School
Helping your grandchildren develop skills such as self-confidence, good study habits, and the ability to make friends can make a big difference in their learning. This article gives tips on how to help children complete their homework successfully, organize long-term projects, build confidence in their talents and abilities, and learn how to handle mistakes calmly.
Number: CHFD-E-59-11 Date: 06/03 Pages: 6 Author Information
PDF | SpanishFun Learning Activities for You and Your Grandchildren
Time spent together is some of the most valuable time you and your grandchild can share. This article helps grandparents choose fun activities for children of different ages, and stresses the importance of learning and fun when spending time together. You can do many fun activities at home with inexpensive household objects can be easy and cheap. Included in this article is a list of fun activity ideas for different ages, as well as basic recipes for several types of play dough and finger paint.
Number: CHFD-E-59-12 Date: 06/03 Pages: 6 Author Information
PDF | SpanishChild Care Concerns
Putting your grandchild in child care raises many questions, such as the types of care available and the questions to ask of potential caregivers. Learn why quality child care is important, how to choose a high-quality child care program, and how to make the transition to child care manageable for everyone.
Number: CHFD-E-59-13 Date: 06/03 Pages: 5 Author Information
PDF | SpanishDisciplining Your Grandchild
Disciplining grandchildren requires special thought and attention. Grandchildren need to know the rules as well as the consequences for not following them. The article gives guidelines for setting rules, as well as how to respond when children misbehave, how to identify age-appropriate rules/behavior, and how to teach and encourage appropriate behavior.
Number: CHFD-E-59-14 Date: 06/03 Pages: 5 Author Information
PDF | Spanish