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I just picked up a great book from the library that I would recommend to any parent, but especially a first time parent. It's called "Perfect Parenting: The Dictionary of 1,000 Parenting Tips" by Elizabeth Pantley. Now, I don't really think there is any such thing as "perfect" parenting but this book has great ideas.
Each issue is prefaced with a situation then follows with a "think about it" and then solutions. So, for Babysitters (not listening to) the situation is "My children don't listen to the baby-sitter." The Think About It is "Kids are good at testing the rules....etc". And the solutions are things like, have rules that are written down for the babysitter, go over your expectations with the kids, prepare ahead for an activity they can do with the sitter.....etc.
I really like the Think About It section because it takes a look at what is going on from a less emotional perspective. I find that when I can do that, it is easier for me to be less reactive and more thoughtful in dealing with parenting issues.
Each issue is prefaced with a situation then follows with a "think about it" and then solutions. So, for Babysitters (not listening to) the situation is "My children don't listen to the baby-sitter." The Think About It is "Kids are good at testing the rules....etc". And the solutions are things like, have rules that are written down for the babysitter, go over your expectations with the kids, prepare ahead for an activity they can do with the sitter.....etc.
I really like the Think About It section because it takes a look at what is going on from a less emotional perspective. I find that when I can do that, it is easier for me to be less reactive and more thoughtful in dealing with parenting issues.