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    Real Advice for Real Parents
    Real Advice for Real Parents
    Real Advice for Real Parents
    Ebook68 pages1 hour

    Real Advice for Real Parents

    By Mark Smith

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Homosexuality. Social Media. Bullying. Parenting today has changed since "elbows off the table" and playing catch in the backyard.
    Real Advice for Real Parents was written by an actual, live parent to help you with the variety of challenges facing parents today.
    Full of both valuable advice and gentle humor to help get the point across, Real Advice for Real Parents can be an indispensable guide to make your job not only easier but give you the tools you need to make your kid a little easier to deal with.
    Starting with exercises to help develop your baby's intellect, this book continues to cover subjects not commonly addressed in other parenting guides: The "Terrible Two's", discipline, lying, school, grandparents...Those challenges in the middle years. Next, the fun-filled teenage years where social media, homosexuality, driving, the "Sex Talk", jobs and many more are covered. The final section is about YOU; and what you can do for YOURSELF to become a better parent.
    Whether you're expecting your first, or already have a hulking, surly teenager, Real Advice for Real Parents will help you to be more effective in dealing with the challenges faced by today's parents.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMark Smith
    Release dateMar 23, 2013
    ISBN9781301809981
    Real Advice for Real Parents
    Author

    Mark Smith

    Hi! I'm Mark. 43, Married and father of three. I'm not an author, but I play one on Smashwords. And yes- Hawk is my real middle name given at birth.

    Read more from Mark Smith

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      Book preview

      Real Advice for Real Parents - Mark Smith

      Real Advice for Real Parents

      By Mark H. Smith

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright 2013 Mark H. Smith

      Table of Contents

      Introduction

      Chapter 1: The Early Years

      Chapter 2: The Terrible Twos

      Chapter 3: Last of the Easy Ride (The Middle Years)

      Chapter 4: Run, Teenagers!

      Chapter 5: You

      Let's get a few things up front and out of the way... I'm not a doctor, psychologist or some clinician. I'm just a Dad. However, I've successfully raised (so far) three wonderful children. Now that, in and of itself isn't an especially significant achievement; It's been done a couple of billion times before, and I've no doubt that parents will continue to raise happy, well-adjusted children long after I'm gone- with or without the dubious benefit of my advice.

      But like I was saying without overtly boasting; My kids seem to be turning out alright. Now, I raise my children probably 99% similarly to the way everyone else does; brush your teeth, look both ways, don't lick the dog, etc....

      However, I have taken a few paths less traveled, so to speak, and I wanted to share those ideas and experiences with you in the hope you'd find them helpful. After all, my kids have to live in the same world that yours do- so I'm actually almost as concerned with your child's well-being as you are. More like they're not-well-being; as in they're NOT, well, being a serial killer.

      Again, let's get something up front...again. I've put a great deal of work into this book to make it as helpful and instructive as possible. And if you completely follow all the advice in this book to the letter with your own child...

      Then you'll probably screw it up.

      Listen, every child is different. Every parent is different. I don't care if you're Dr. Spock or Punches the Clown; or if you're not old enough to know who the heck Dr. Spock is- the fact is, that there is no comprehensive manual, no universal detailed schematic when it comes to raising a kid.

      Fortunately, you're not on your own. As you have no doubt noticed, if there's one thing that parent's are free with, it's advice You've probably also noticed that some of it can be pretty good; Watch out when you're changing his diaper...That thing can go off without warning at any time! That turned out to be sage wisdom. While other advice was maybe best left on the cutting room floor.

      I would like you to perceive this book in the same way- on it's merits. With my oldest just finishing college and my youngest just finishing double digit addition, I've been in the biz for over twenty years, and I've gained some perspectives that you might find useful in your own quest to raise a happy, healthy adult who will still probably stick you in a retirement home someday, the ungrateful little...

      But I digress. You might not find everything in this book useful or necessarily pertinent to your particular situation, but I guarantee you- There is no BAD advice. Keep in mind, this is for your benefit too. Well-behaved kids who listen when you tell 'em to pipe down are way better than kids who keep yapping. But not because of duct tape and a sturdy post- but because they respect your authority.

      Chapter 1

      The Early Years

      Before we get into the meat here, let's have a little fun: If you're lucky enough to be reading this before your little bundle of joy and debt is born, try a little trick the very first time you see him/ her and he/ she sees you: Stick out your tongue at 'em. I did it with two of mine and it's absolutely amazing...

      They will stick their tongue out right back at you! Wow! Like, not even five minutes old, and the little stinkers can see you, perceive and understand your gesture, and mimic it! I saw it on a documentary, and decided to give it a try.

      It's an understatement to say that childbirth is a pretty intense experience all the way around, ( and my wife thinks so too!) but on top of everything else, seeing your newborn baby pull a stunt like that is pretty mind-blowing. And it kind of illustrates a very important point:

      Babies are mind-blowingly perceptive. You've probably heard, that from birth to the age of four or so, kid's minds are like that absorbent towel whose name rhymes with Cham-Pow!, and brother let me tell you- it's true. How many times have you, or a loved one or some idiot said something inappropriate in the presence of a small child only to hear this tiny little voice five minutes or five hours later: No Mommy, I don't want any $&$#^%!! carrots. To be immediately followed by an enraged Where did you hear that word?!?

      With THAT sometimes followed by a very sheepish and embarrassed look on the face of the father, followed by a private conversation between aforementioned Mom and Dad after little ears are in bed, a conversation that will most likely include even more @*$&$#^!!!! and %$#@@!%!!. It's a vicious cycle at times.

      But now is when you want to get busy. From the moment they're born, you should be doing things whenever possible to stimulate the growth of their adorable little neurotransmitters. (Just because I'm not a scientist, doesn't mean I can't use big boy words)

      Every time your baby sees a color, hears a noise or feels something with his chubby little pink fingers, a

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