Parenthood is both rewarding and frustrating. Starting from the birth of your child, you are on a journey of high highs and low lows for the next 18-20 years as you raise that child to young adulthood. Whether you are a seasoned parent on your fifth child or your first baby is on the way, a little bit of help goes a long way. That is why you need to be equipped with as much knowledge as possible to be the best parent you can be. No one raises kids without having some questions about how to feed them, put them down for a nap, encourage development, and teach them about responsibility as they get older. To help you out on your parental journey, here are a few ideas that you should consider to look out for your children’s best interests.

File a Claim Following a Birth Injury

The delivery of a child is a very complex and dangerous process for both the mother and the baby. Even the healthiest mothers can encounter challenges during this stage. In some cases, the medical professionals responsible for taking care of you act negligently, resulting in a birth injury to you and/or your baby. These injuries can often result in severe medical complications for the child, resulting in hefty expenses. This is a difficult way to start your journey as a parent. Pursuing legal action with the assistance of a birth injury attorney can help you cover these expenses and any other that resulted from the negligence, ensuring you have the resources needed to care for the child.

Talk With Your Baby Often

Human interaction is critical in the early stages of development. Your child will become more familiar with your voice and learn to respond to it the more you use it. Talking with your child, even if it is just narrating what you are doing while the baby lays in a dock-a-tot, can be a learning experience for them. It also helps them develop a deeper connection with you. Reading to your baby is a great way to introduce them to your voice and the images and words found in a book, so you can combine two developmental methods into one activity.

Consider Estate/Financial Planning

Preparing for your child’s future, or planning it in case of an unexpected parental death, is an important step for families to take. Estate planning can ensure that your baby is cared for in the event of your death and that they will receive what you want them to. Additionally, you can prepare for their financial future by setting up a savings account, adding them as a designated user to credit cards to build credit, or investing in insurance policies. The potential benefits far outweigh the effort required to complete these steps.

Outdoor Play

There are two things that have multiple benefits for the physical and mental wellbeing of a child; playtime and the outdoors. Combining the two is a great way to encourage development of your children, no matter what age they are. Outdoor play can help kids explore their senses, appreciate the natural environment, improve their cognitive abilities, and interact socially. This all happens while they enjoy the benefits of fresh air and direct sun, though you must be careful with their more sensitive skin.

Teach Them About Physical Safety

Safety is often a top concern for parents, especially since a child’s brain is not developed enough to recognize many risks. However, you have more of a say in their ability to recognize danger than you might think. Learning how to navigate risks is a crucial life skill that you can encourage at an early age. The key is to model safe behaviors as you teach them rather than just giving them information verbally. They need to see how to properly look both ways before crossing a street. They need to see you role play how to interact with strangers in public or near the home. Kids are visual learners and they retain information better through stimulating activities, so find creative ways to teach safety rather than just explaining it.

Put Simply, Priority Number One is Presence

Most of these parenting tips can be boiled down to one concept…presence. If you are present as a parent in every way possible, your children have a much higher chance of developing and thriving. Be present by being knowledgeable through research. Be present by engaging in play outside. Be present as you teach them how to stay safe. Be present by considering their future with financial and estate planning. An involved parent is one that cares for and loves their child whenever they can, even if you feel completely exhausted. Just remember to make some time for yourself to recharge.