We set limits on relationships all our life. Children are no exception.

Ten Steps

We find ourselves setting limits within our relationships all our life. If we don't set limits, people, even those who love us, invade our space and run all over us... to the point we often end up resenting them.

The little angel sleeping in the other room is no exception. If you don't set limits with your baby, he/she will also invade your space and run all over you.

Mistakes will be made. Fortunately, there are no bad parenting habits that can't be broken when children are young. You can undo that demanding, whining, and temper-tantrum-laden behavior of the angel spoiled by parents with a lot of hard work at a later age. However, it's much easier not to let that behavior start by setting limits from the beginning.

Take the following steps to start setting limits with your child over six months of age:

1. First make certain all physical needs are met. Check for hunger, thirst, soiled diapers, overstimulation, or  general fatigue. If none of those seem to be the problem, maybe your baby is bored. It happens to the best of us, you know.

2. Offer your child a few toys. Remember that small selection of toys is best. Young babies prefer familiar items and repetition. Too many toys at once is confusing. It is better to change the selection when your baby becomes bored than it is to heap the whole toybox in front of him at once.

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Ten steps to help you and your child.

3. Change his location. Let him have a view of the outdoors or even be outdoors if that is safe. Change from high chair to play pen.

4. Along these same lines, change the wall hangings in her room from time-to-time. This deters boredom and, better yet,  stimulates the learning process. Would you like to look at the same things every day?

5. Get down on her level for a few seconds without picking her up. Laugh, sing a stanza, smile, touch, or say a few words.

6. If it is safe, walk off, telling her, "I need to be in the kitchen for a minute," or "I have wash to fold  in the laundry."

7. Often your baby only needs to see your face or hear your voice to be calmed. Stick your head back in the room from time-to-time to assure baby that you are still there. Or, sing and talk to baby when you are out of sight.

8. Try to intervene with some distraction before your baby becomes frantic or is wailing at the top of his lungs.

9. Increase the time baby spends alone each day. Eventually you will have time to fold the clothes or go to the bathroom alone.

10.  Do not leave your baby alone for an extended length of time, though, even when you can.

And remember that a baby who is quiet for a very long time could be enjoying entertainment of a dangerous or messy kind! Instead of enjoying the peace, check quickly!

You are training yourself to say no and set limits as much as you are training your baby to provide some of his/her own pleasures from life.

Being able to entertain himself gives your baby independence. Independence gives him self-esteem. Self-esteem is the most important gift you can give your child.

Entertainment

The Wiggles have been entertaining while  teaching toddlers and young kids for years. Check out CyberParent's reviews of 20 of their visuals and CDs here. They'll have your baby clapping, wiggling, and having fun, too!

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