Raising Kids

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is raising a child hard?

  It can be. In a survey by the Zero to Three foundation, 73% of responders call parenting their biggest challenge.It's no wonder—you're dealing with added responsibilities and costs as well as modern problems like screen time battles andplanning pressures．But 91% of survey responders say parenting is also their greatest joy.The moment you see your child smile, master a skill, or discover a new passion, the hard work will feel well worth it.

  Learn More: How to Ask for Help With Childcare
• What is the most important thing in raising a child?

  Opinions abound, but many child development experts say the key to successful parenting is being supportive in both good times and bad. That means worrying less about bolstering their skills and more aboutbuilding your bond．研究与温暖,培养教育haviors to enhanced brain development and better stress responses in kids.

  Learn More: How Parents Can Raise a Good Child
• What age is hardest to parent?

  It depends on your kid! Some "easy babies" turn into challenging children, and somecolicky infantsbecome calm. A recent poll revealed that parents most commonly think kids are hardest to handle atage 8, when they want to be independent but are still prone totantrums．Toddlers and teens can be tough, too—likely because these are both stages in which rapid growth in some parts of the brain outpaces development in areas that regulate emotion, say experts.

  Learn More: How to Manage Defiant Behavior
• How do you raise a confident child?

  Kids become confident when they have opportunities to experience success and also rebound from failure.You can give them plenty of chances to do both by encouraging them totake risks, being supportive when theymake mistakes, andpraising their perseveranceabove all.

  Learn More: 9 Ways to Build More Self-Esteem in Your Child
• What are the common parenting styles?

  Researchers have identified four main parenting styles: authoritative parenting, authoritarian parenting, permissive parenting, and uninvolved parenting.Authoritative parentingis often touted by child development experts as being the best approach because it involves setting rules and limits on kids' behavior while staying warm, loving, and communicative.

  Learn More: 4 Types of Parenting Styles and Their Effect on Kids
• Why is raising a teenager so difficult?

  Change is hard—especially when it's going on inside of you. The teenage years are an explosive period of development, and often, kids reach physical maturity before the parts of their brain that regulate mood and impulse control are fully formed.Outbursts, grumpiness, and poor choices can result. The occasionalmood swingisn't cause for alarm if they're getting healthy food, sleep, and social connection generally, but always check in with a pediatrician if you're worried or need advice.

  Learn More: How to Talk to Your Teen