Summarize the following:
Get familiar with child development by reading tried and true parenting books. Then, try your best to implement fact-based advice, like praising your children to reinforce positive behaviors or using timeouts or some other form of correction to manage misbehavior instead of spankings.  There’s an overwhelming amount of literature on what makes a good mom and how to  raise healthy, happy kids. Plus, everyone has an opinion—from your own mother and the mothers at your kids’ school to the person behind you in line at the grocery store.  Trying to implement all the advice you receive will only lead to frustration, and may even make you feel bad about your parenting abilities. Some good resources for parenting include the American Academy of Pediatrics sponsored-site at https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx and KidsHealth.org at https://kidshealth.org/. Some famous parenting books include Parenting with Love and Logic or Positive Discipline. Decide how you want to run your household and clearly communicate these expectations to your kids. Hold a family meeting to verbalize the guidelines and be sure everyone understands the consequences if they don’t comply. Then, post a cheat sheet of the rules in a common area, like on the fridge.  Make rules clear and concise but with a positive spin, like “Everyone should walk indoors” instead of “No running in the house!” Depending on the age of your children, you might have an open discussion with them to decide on fair rules and consequences together. You might start trying to do this once your child is able to work out for themselves some feasible consequences to misbehavior. If your children violate rules, be willing to consistently enforce them and apply consequences as needed. Use fair and appropriate consequences that you will carry out every time. Disciplining your children for rule-breaking doesn’t necessarily translate to being mean. Use compassion and logic. Criticize the behavior rather than the child. This might sound like, “Charlie, what should you do instead of pushing your brother? Because you pushed, you’ll have to wait 5 more minutes before taking a turn to show how patient you can be.” Dish out plenty of love in the form of hugs, kisses, and words of affirmation. Affection reminds your child that they are loved unconditionally. Plus, it’s linked to higher self-esteem, better academic performance, fewer behavioral problems, and an overall stronger relationship between you and your child.  Make sure most of the interactions you have with your children are positive and loving. Strive to show affection daily. If you have a baby, affection may simply involve holding your infant regularly or speaking reassuringly. A good relationship with your child is built on  healthy communication, and they’ll need to know that you are open to talking with them. Make a point of having regular conversations with each of your children, no matter how trivial the subject. Then, let them know that your door is always open for a chat.  Smile, uncross your arms and legs, and make occasional eye contact. If your child is talking, try to give them your full attention. Power off or silent any distractions like the TV or your cell phone until the conversation is over. Repeat what they said to show you’re listening. Always remind your child that you love them. Even if you are disciplining them or disagreeing with them, make sure they know it comes from a place of love. You might do this by speaking in soft tones and being gentle with your child, even when you are enforcing a consequence. Being approachable also means limiting judgments or criticisms. If your child feels like you’re disapproving, they may not want to share. So, steer clear of harsh facial expressions or critical statements when you are talking to them. Quality time is important for building good relationships with each of your kids, but always hanging out as a family doesn’t allow for one-on-one attention. Carve out time—even short windows—for connecting with each child on their own.  When you dedicate a little time to one child at a time, you can talk about the unique challenges they are facing or learn about their special talents and interests. If you're dealing with a baby or toddler, one-on-one time might include getting down on the floor and playing with them. Make a special habit or activity for the child that is your "special thing." Cook together, take a walk, or even do crafts. This can reinforce your bond. A mom is one of the most important people in a child’s life, so use that position to validate your child and make them feel worthy. Help nurture their interests and outlooks, even if it's not what you would have chosen for them.  If your teenager has joined a band, give some positive feedback about the songs she writes. If your middle-schooler is obsessed with space, buy them books or take them on a field trip to the planetarium. These interests may come and go. But, they will always remember how you supported them and gave them the freedom to explore different things without judgment. If your child behaves well or does something that makes you proud, let them know. This will reinforce positive behaviors in your child. Since consistency is such a big thing in being a good mother, you'll also want to make sure your partner or co-parent is on the same page with your plan. Develop the rules and consequences together, and be sure that both of you follow through on them. This also includes having regular check-ups, so that you can identify problems before they affect the children. For instance, if one parent doesn't agree on the disciplinary plan, they may not actually carry it out. Being clear about where each of you stand can help ensure that the right message gets to the kids.

summary: Follow advice that's supported by experts. Set clear and firm rules. Follow through with consequences. Be affectionate often. Act approachable, so older children want to talk to you. Spend time one-on-one. Show your support. Collaborate with your partner or co-parent on the plan.


Summarize the following:
Physical activity is important not only for losing weight, but also for keeping your bones, muscles, heart, and lungs strong. Try to do 60 minutes of moderate physical activity each day, such as jogging, walking, dancing, swimming, playing tennis, or biking.  If you’re not used to exercising, start with shorter times and less intense exercise. For example, you might start by walking for 10 minutes each day, then gradually build up to a daily 20-minute fast walk or jog. Depending on your current weight or your fitness goals, you may need to spend more time exercising or do more intense exercise. Talk to your doctor or a PE instructor to find out how much you need to exercise. In addition to aerobic activities that get your heart pumping, like running and biking, you should also do exercises that help you build muscle. At least 3 days a week, add some strengthening exercises to your regular 60 minutes of physical activity.  Some good strength-building exercises include doing planks or squats, climbing, and using resistance bands. You can also ask a fitness instructor for advice on how to safely lift weights. Building muscle helps you burn fat more efficiently, and also makes you less prone to injury. In addition to working out, you can also look for little ways to get more physical activity during your daily routines. For example, take the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator whenever you can. Every little bit can make a difference!  Doing work around your house and yard can also help you burn calories. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone by cleaning up your room or volunteering to mow the lawn. If you’re in school, try walking or biking there if possible. Even standing instead of sitting while you work at a desk can help you burn extra calories! When you have a world of entertainment and information literally at your fingertips, it’s easy to forget to get up and move. Make a decision to limit your time on the phone, at your computer or tablet, or in front of the TV.  Try setting specific limits for yourself. For example, you might commit to spending no more than 1 hour watching TV per day. If you find yourself too tempted to play on your phone, try installing an app like BreakFree or Moment that will remind you to take breaks or lock you out during designated phone-free times. If you have to sit a lot while you study or work, try to take occasional breaks to get up and walk around or stretch.
summary: Get at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise daily. Incorporate strength training into your exercise regimen. Find ways to be more physically active throughout the day. Minimize screen time and other sedentary activities.