Sometimes, being a parent or carer is one of the toughest jobs of all.  As much as you love your child and want the best for them, they may need a little extra help to keep their behaviour on track, to manage their friendships or anxieties.  

We found some useful tips summarised on the parent.com magazine website which we think sum up how you can best support your child as they grow. 

• Take charge. Children crave limits, which help them understand and manage an often confusing world. Show your love by setting boundaries so your kids can explore and discover their passions safely.

• Don't clip your child's wings. Your toddler's mission in life is to gain independence. So when they are developmentally capable of putting their toys away, clearing their plate from the table, and dressing themselves, let them. Giving a child responsibility is good for their self-esteem (and your sanity!).

• Don't try to fix everything. Give young children a chance to find their own solutions. When you lovingly acknowledge a child's minor frustrations without immediately rushing in to save them, you teach them self-reliance and resilience.

• Remember that discipline is not punishment. Enforcing limits is really about teaching children how to behave in the world and helping them to become competent, caring, and in control.

• Pick your battles. Children can't absorb too many rules without turning off completely. Forget arguing about little stuff like fashion choices and occasional potty language. Focus on the things that really matter - that means no hitting, rude talk, or lying.

 If tempers begins to rise and and your child's behaviour begins to fall, you might find the attached 'de-escalation' techniques helpful.