Hey Pandas, What's Your Favorite Parenting Hack? (Closed)

Speak to them like they are actual humans, not morons. Use normal language and do not talk down. Treat them with respect and be interested in what they're doing and what they show you. You'll be amazed at how much better their behaviour is.

Don't have kids.

I'm an older sibling, not a parent but here is my "Older sibling/Parent hack". Show interest in their obsessions, encourage them when things don't always work out, and don't yell at them when they don't understand something.

Teach children to love books. Read to them before they go to sleep.

Once they’re old enough to talk and walk, treat them like you would treat a normal adult, no matter how small they are. Use the correct words and never baby words. Don’t scoff at their stupid questions, answer them seriously. Use the proper scientific names when it comes to something specific, like ‘what’s the name of this thing’.

It’s a parents job to teach consequences. If you do this, that will happen. Be consistent and firm with the rules which really matter, but don’t sweat the small stuff.

teach your kids how to sit and eat at a restaurant instead of having them staring at a tablet

Febreeze makes an excellent "anti-spider spray" for toddlers scared of spiders.

Don’t be overprotective and infantilize your child. Due to this I still don’t know how to cook (I mean I could but I MUST have supervision so I don’t hurt myself :/)

Don’t, for the love of god, berate your kid for crying. This gave me anger issues, which were also berated.

These two things probably make your better than half of the parent population.

Actually listening to her, to what’s important to her. Letting her make mistakes, thanking her for talking to me about difficult things, asking her what she needs (space/help).

My parents read us Greek myths at bedtime. Entertaining, plus we both knew a ton about Greek mythology before even starting school. I'd recommend doing this for multiple cultures!

If you have to cut pancakes, waffles, etc for more than a few kids, use a pizza cutter instead of a knife.

Not a parent, but if your kid is showing signs of independence, let him be

Empathy

Behave how you would like them to behave. Don't just do this around them either; it never hurts to be the change you want to see.

I have a 5 year old daughter. When I do the dishes or vacuum I ask if she'd like to help, she's always excited to help. So she's learning to do household things & she sees it as a game.

When your young child is trying to explain something to you & you can't figure out what they're trying to say ask them to show you.

Having a sense of humor. Being able to talk to and laugh with them.

Not a parent, but there is a show on hulu called The Parent Test for anyone who has nothing to do and is looking for a juicy reality show where grown adults insult each other based on the way they parent.

There are a few things we implemented that worked for us. Each member of the family ... 1. has its own color for towels, toothbrush, picnic items, etc. 2. had a decision day. They each have two and we had one. 3. had a schedule for chores; we'd switch quarterly. 4. had a place in the car - always the same one. We gave first choice to the eldest. 5. had a place at the able - again, always the same one. This was taken from a book where to place people. Other: We had a paper on the wall and if we wanted to discuss something we'd put it in. We had monthly meetings.
PS Even 10 years later, they hate it when we sit at a round table in a restaurant because they are trying to figure out where they should sit. We all think it's funny because it's still there.