Getting started
Every baby and child has a unique personality and their needs keep on changing as they grow.
Your own responsibilities and challenges as a parent will also change. You'll probably often ask yourself whether you're doing things right. But don't be too tough on yourself. Children don't need perfect parents — they need parents who love and support them.
This page offers key tips and links for positive parenting of babies, toddlers, and children.
Helpful tips
Parenting essentials
- Notice, reward and praise good behaviour
- Give your children lots of love and affection
- Spend time with your children and give them opportunities to learn at their own speed
- Listen to what your children say
- Be a good role model for positive behaviour
- If you're getting stressed out, take time to calm down before taking any action
- Be firm but fair
- Have as much fun as you can together.
- for yourself
- Join parenting groups to get to know other parents
- Especially in the early months, don't expect too much from yourself as your energy levels may be low
- Talk to your whānau, your parents or kaumatua, who may have some great advice or be able to offer some support
- Ask for help if you need it — people are only too glad to be needed
- Your Plunket nurse, midwife or other Tamariki Ora/Well Child provider can give you great advice
- Try and take time out for yourself each day, even if it's only ten minutes.
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