Motherhood advice: Make your child feel special

We asked you, our readers, to share motherhood advice. Here is the final set of responses. Thank you for writing in!

Kamini Chauhan writes in:

I am working woman and a mother to a 7-year-old boy.

Managing work and your child's needs tend to get difficult sometimes.

My advice to mothers, especially working moms, is that it's crucial you take some time off and spend it with your child.

After reaching home, spend time at least half-an-hour with your child before you go off to do your chores.

Let your child feel s/he is special and that s/he is an important part of your life.

Our children are our future.

We need to nurture them with love, care, affection and attention.

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B Jaya Krishnan also writes in:

It's important to show your child how much you love him/her.

In fact that's the best way to make them understand rather than scolding them or hitting them.

Making them realise their mistake by explaining patiently and with love and care is the only way to teach them.

It is also important to learn to say no.

Be firm.

Explain to them why they can't have something.

Make them do little tasks -- like taking their plates after eating to the washbasin etc because these little things will teaches them discipline.

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We wind up with Shiny Acharjee's words of advice:

My career has always been important to me. It comes second after my family, of course, but I realised much early on in my marriage that I couldn't be a housewife or a stay-at-home mother.

I took up a full-time job when my daughter, Mehal, was only eight months old.

She was left in the care of my mother who made all efforts to make up for my absence.

Initially my daughter missed me and would cry.

At such times, my mother pacified her and helped her fulfil her needs.

As she began growing up, she started asking my mum why I'd have to go to work when some of her friends' mothers didn't.

My mother handled these questions very intelligently.

She explained that just like she and her friends have to go to school, her mother too has to go to work and that she should in fact be proud of having a good mother who goes to work regularly.

Thus my mother translated my daughter's frustration and demands into positive vibes.

Today, I am a happy mom gifted with the world's best daughter.

She has grown mature enough to understand my requirements.

She has realised that a job for her mother is as important as it is for her father.

My mom is even happier as she is able to bring happiness to both generations.

So, a child's demands, grievances and frustrations should be handled intelligently.

And a personal touch from a family member is mandatory.