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‏إظهار الرسائل ذات التسميات الصورة. إظهار كافة الرسائل

How to Raise a Child

No one would argue that raising children of character demands time and big effort. While having children may be doing what comes naturally, being a good parent is much more complicated. If you want to know how to raise a child, follow these steps

How to Raise a Child
No one would argue that raising children of character demands time and big effort. While having children may be doing what comes naturally, being a good parent is much more complicated. If you want to know how to raise a child, follow these steps.

Part One of Four:
Developing a Healthy Routine
Edit
Image titled Raise a Child Step 1
1
Put parenting first. This is hard to do in a world with so many competing demands. Good parents consciously plan and devote time to parenting. They make developing their child’s character their top priority. Once you're a parent, you have to learn to put your priorities below your children's, and to make the sacrifice to spending more of your day caring for them than you do caring for yourself. Of course, you shouldn't neglect yourself completely, but you should get accustomed to the idea of putting your child's needs first.
If you have a spouse, then you can take turns caring for the child so each of you can have some "me time."
When you plan your weekly routine, your child's needs should be your primary focus

How to Raise a Child
No one would argue that raising children of character demands time and big effort. While having children may be doing what comes naturally, being a good parent is much more complicated. If you want to know how to raise a child, follow these steps.

Part One of Four:
Developing a Healthy Routine
Edit
Image titled Raise a Child Step 1
1
Put parenting first. This is hard to do in a world with so many competing demands. Good parents consciously plan and devote time to parenting. They make developing their child’s character their top priority. Once you're a parent, you have to learn to put your priorities below your children's, and to make the sacrifice to spending more of your day caring for them than you do caring for yourself. Of course, you shouldn't neglect yourself completely, but you should get accustomed to the idea of putting your child's needs first.
If you have a spouse, then you can take turns caring for the child so each of you can have some "me time."
When you plan your weekly routine, your child's needs should be your primary focus.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 2
2
Read to your child every day. Your 15 year old will particular appreciate this. Helping to nurture a love for the written word will help your child to develop a love for reading later on. Set a time for reading for your child every day -- typically around bedtime or nap time. Spend at least half an hour to an hour reading to your child each day, if not more. Not only will your child develop a love for words, but your child will have a better chance of both academic and behavioral success. Studies show that children that were read to on a daily basis demonstrate less bad behavior in school.[1]
Once your child starts learning to read or write, let your child take over. Don't correct his or her mistakes every two seconds, or your child will get discouraged.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 3
3
Eat dinner as a family. One of the most dangerous trends in the modern family is the dying of the family meal. The dinner table is not only a place of sustenance and family business but also a place for the teaching and passing on of our values. Manners and rules are subtly absorbed over the table. Family mealtime should communicate and sustain ideals that children will draw on throughout their lives.[2]
If your child is a picky eater, don't spend dinner time criticizing your child's eating habits and watching what he or she doesn't eat like a hawk. This will lead your child to have a negative association with family meals.
Get your child involved in the meal. Dinner will be more fun if your child "helps" you pick out food at the grocery store or helps you set up the table or to do small food-related tasks, such as washing the vegetables you will cook. An older child can obviously handle more than vegetable washing. Involve all the family in menu planning for the family.
Keep dinner conversation open and light. Don't give your child the third-degree. Simply ask, "How was your day?"
Check out the article Make Time for Family Dinners
Image titled Raise a Child Step 4
4
Set a strict bedtime routine. Though your child doesn't have to go to bed during the same five-minute stretch every single night, you should set a bedtime routine that your child can follow and stick to it. Studies show that children's cognitive abilities can drop two full grade levels after just one missed hour of sleep, so it's important that they get as much rest as they can before you send them to school.[3]
Your routine should include some winding-down time. Turn off the TV, music, or any electronics, and either talk to your child softly in bed or read to him.
Don't give your child sugary snacks right before bed or it'll be harder to get him to sleep.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 5
5
Encourage your child to develop skills each week. Though you don't have to sign your child up for ten different activities each week, you should find at least one or two activities that your child loves to do and incorporate them into your child's weekly routine. This can be anything from soccer to art class -- it really doesn't matter, as long as your child shows a talent or a love for something. Tell your child what a great job he's doing and encourage him to keep going.
Taking your child to different lessons will also help him or her socialize with other children.
Don't get lazy. If your child complains that she doesn't want to go to piano lessons, but you know she likes it deep down, don't give in just because you don't feel like driving over there.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 6
6
Give your child enough play time every day. "Play time" does not mean having your child sit in front of the TV and suck on a building block while you do the dishes. "Play time" means letting your child sit in his room or play area and to actively engage with stimulating toys while you help him explore their possibilities. Though you may be tired, it's important that you show your child the benefits of playing with his toys so he gets the stimulation he needs and so he learns to play with them on his own.
It doesn't matter if you don't have 80 million toys for your child to play with. It's the quality, not the quantity of the toys that counts. And you may find that your child's favorite toy of the month is an empty toilet paper roll.

Advertisement
Part Two of Four:
Loving Your Child
Edit
Image titled Raise a Child Step 7
1
Learn to listen to your children. Influencing their lives is one of the greatest things you can do. It is easy to tune out our children, and a miss an opportunity for meaningful guidance. If you never listen to your children and spend all of your time barking orders at them, they won't feel respected or cared for.
Encourage your children to talk. Helping them express themselves early on can help them communicate successfully in the future.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 8
2
Treat your child with respect. Don't ever forget that your child is a living, breathing human being who has needs and wants just like the rest of us. If your child is a picky eater, don't nag him constantly at the dinner table; if he's slow to potty train, don't embarrass him by talking about it in public; if you promised your child you'd take him to the movies if he was good, don't take back your promise because you're too tired.[4]
If you respect your child, then it's much more likely that your child will respect you back.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 9
3
Know that you can never love your child too much. It's a myth that loving your child "too much," praising your child "too much," or showering your child with "too much" affection can make your child spoiled rotten. Giving your child love, affection, and attention will positively encourage your child to develop as a human being. Giving your child toys instead of love, or not reprimanding your child for bad behavior is what will lead you to spoil your child.
Tell your child how much you love him at least once a day -- but preferably, as often as you can.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 10
4
Be involved in your child's daily life. It will take effort and strength to be there for your child every day, but if you want to encourage your child to develop his own interests and character, you have to create a strong support system for him. This doesn't mean you have to follow your child around every second of the day, but it does mean that you have to be there for all of the little moments, from his first soccer game to family time at the beach.
Once your child starts school, you should know what classes he's taking and the names of his teachers. Go over your child's homework with him and help him with any difficult tasks, but do not do it for him.
As your child gets older, you can start pulling back a bit, and encouraging your child to explore his interests without you by his side all the time.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 11
5
Encourage independence. You can still be there for your child while encouraging him to explore his own interests. Don't tell your child which lessons to take; let him pick from a variety of options. You can help dress your child, but go clothes shopping together with your child, so he has some say in his appearance. And if your child wants to play with his friends or to play with his toys by himself without you there, let him build his own identity from time to time.[5]
If you encourage independence early on, your child will be much more likely to think for himself as an adult.

Advertisement
Part Three of Four:
Disciplining Your Child
Edit
Image titled Raise a Child Step 12
1
Know that children need limits. They will ignore these limits on occasion. Reasonable punishment is one of the ways human beings have always learned. Children must understand what punishment is for and know that its source is parental love.
As a parent, you will need cognitive tools if you are to adjust unwanted behaviours. Instead of making up a confusing, non-related punishment like, "If you ride your tricycle into the street, you will have to balance this book on your head," withdraw a privilege. The child must naturally connect the privilege withdrawal with the behavior: "If you ride your tricycle into the street, you lose the use of your tricycle for the rest of the day."
Don't use violent forms of punishment, such as spanking or hitting. Children who are spanked or hit aren't any more likely to listen. Parents should never hit a child, under any circumstances. Children who are spanked, hit, or slapped are more prone to fighting with other children. They are more likely to be bullies and more likely to use aggression to solve disputes with others.[6] Children exposed to family violence are also more likely to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. [7].
Image titled Raise a Child Step 13
2
Reward your child for good behavior. Rewarding your child for good behavior is even more important than punishing your child for bad behavior. Letting your child know when he or she is doing something right will encourage the behavior in the future. If your child behaved well, from sharing his toys at a play date to being patient during a car ride, then let him know you noticed his good behavior; don't just say nothing when your child behaves well and punish him when he does not.
Don't underestimate the importance of praising your child for good behavior. Saying, "I'm so proud of you for..." can make your child feel that his good behavior is really appreciated.
You can give your child toys or treats from time to time, but don't make your child think that he deserves a toy any time he does something good.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 14
3
Be consistent. If you want to discipline your child effectively, then you have to be consistent. You can't punish your child for doing something one day, and then give him candy to stop doing it another day, or even say nothing because you're too tired to put up a fight. And if your child does something good, like using the bathroom correctly during potty training, make sure you praise your child every time. Consistency is what reinforces good and bad behavior.
If you and a spouse are raising your child together, then you should be a united front against your children, using the same disciplinary methods. There should be no "good cop, bad cop" routine in your home.

Explain your rules. If you really want your child to recognize your disciplinary methods, then you have to be able to explain why your child can't do certain things. Do not just tell him not to be mean to other children, or to clean up his toys; tell him why this behavior will be good for him, for you, and for society at large. Making a connection between your child's actions and what they mean will help your child understand your decision-making process.

Teach your child to take responsibility for his actions. This is an important part of disciplining your child and building his character. If he does something wrong, like throwing his food on the ground, make sure he owns up to the behavior and explains why he did it, instead of blaming it on someone else or even denying it. After your child does something naughty, have a conversation about why it happened.
It's important for your child to know that everyone makes mistakes. The mistake isn't as important as the way your child reacts to it.

Do not reduce character education to words alone. We gain virtue through practice. Parents should help children by promoting moral action through self-discipline, good work habits, kind and considerate behavior to others, and community service. The bottom line in character development is behavior--their behavior. If your child is too young for real humanitarian behavior, you can always teach your child to be kind toward others, no matter his age

Be a good role model. Face it: human beings learn primarily through modeling. In fact, you can’t avoid being an example to your children, whether good or bad. Being a good example, then, is probably your most important job. If you yell at your child and then tell her never to yell, kick the wall when you're angry, or make mean comments about your neighbors, your child will think that this behavior is okay.[8]
Start being a good role model from day one. Your child will be aware of your moods and behavior earlier than you think.

Develop an ear and an eye for what your children are absorbing. Children are like sponges. Much of what they take in has to do with moral values and character. Books, songs, TV, the Internet, and films are continually delivering messages—moral and immoral—to our children. As parents we must control the flow of ideas and images that are influencing our children.
If you and your child see something upsetting, such as two people in an argument at the grocery store or a clip about violence on the news, don't miss the opportunity to talk about it with your child.

Teach good manners. Teaching your child to say "Thank you," and "please," and to treat others with a baseline of respect will go a long way in helping them succeed in the future. Don't underestimate the power of teaching your child to be kind to adults, to respect their elders, and to avoid fighting with or picking on other children. Good manners will follow your children for the rest of their lives, and you should start modeling it as soon as possible.
One crucial aspect of good manners is cleaning up after yourself. Teach your child to clean up after his own toys when he's three, and he'll make a great house guest when he's twenty-three.

How to Raise a Child
No one would argue that raising children of character demands time and big effort. While having children may be doing what comes naturally, being a good parent is much more complicated. If you want to know how to raise a child, follow these steps.

Part One of Four:
Developing a Healthy Routine
Edit
Image titled Raise a Child Step 1
1
Put parenting first. This is hard to do in a world with so many competing demands. Good parents consciously plan and devote time to parenting. They make developing their child’s character their top priority. Once you're a parent, you have to learn to put your priorities below your children's, and to make the sacrifice to spending more of your day caring for them than you do caring for yourself. Of course, you shouldn't neglect yourself completely, but you should get accustomed to the idea of putting your child's needs first.
If you have a spouse, then you can take turns caring for the child so each of you can have some "me time."
When you plan your weekly routine, your child's needs should be your primary focus.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 2
2
Read to your child every day. Your 15 year old will particular appreciate this. Helping to nurture a love for the written word will help your child to develop a love for reading later on. Set a time for reading for your child every day -- typically around bedtime or nap time. Spend at least half an hour to an hour reading to your child each day, if not more. Not only will your child develop a love for words, but your child will have a better chance of both academic and behavioral success. Studies show that children that were read to on a daily basis demonstrate less bad behavior in school.[1]
Once your child starts learning to read or write, let your child take over. Don't correct his or her mistakes every two seconds, or your child will get discouraged.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 3
3
Eat dinner as a family. One of the most dangerous trends in the modern family is the dying of the family meal. The dinner table is not only a place of sustenance and family business but also a place for the teaching and passing on of our values. Manners and rules are subtly absorbed over the table. Family mealtime should communicate and sustain ideals that children will draw on throughout their lives.[2]
If your child is a picky eater, don't spend dinner time criticizing your child's eating habits and watching what he or she doesn't eat like a hawk. This will lead your child to have a negative association with family meals.
Get your child involved in the meal. Dinner will be more fun if your child "helps" you pick out food at the grocery store or helps you set up the table or to do small food-related tasks, such as washing the vegetables you will cook. An older child can obviously handle more than vegetable washing. Involve all the family in menu planning for the family.
Keep dinner conversation open and light. Don't give your child the third-degree. Simply ask, "How was your day?"
Check out the article Make Time for Family Dinners
Image titled Raise a Child Step 4
4
Set a strict bedtime routine. Though your child doesn't have to go to bed during the same five-minute stretch every single night, you should set a bedtime routine that your child can follow and stick to it. Studies show that children's cognitive abilities can drop two full grade levels after just one missed hour of sleep, so it's important that they get as much rest as they can before you send them to school.[3]
Your routine should include some winding-down time. Turn off the TV, music, or any electronics, and either talk to your child softly in bed or read to him.
Don't give your child sugary snacks right before bed or it'll be harder to get him to sleep.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 5
5
Encourage your child to develop skills each week. Though you don't have to sign your child up for ten different activities each week, you should find at least one or two activities that your child loves to do and incorporate them into your child's weekly routine. This can be anything from soccer to art class -- it really doesn't matter, as long as your child shows a talent or a love for something. Tell your child what a great job he's doing and encourage him to keep going.
Taking your child to different lessons will also help him or her socialize with other children.
Don't get lazy. If your child complains that she doesn't want to go to piano lessons, but you know she likes it deep down, don't give in just because you don't feel like driving over there.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 6
6
Give your child enough play time every day. "Play time" does not mean having your child sit in front of the TV and suck on a building block while you do the dishes. "Play time" means letting your child sit in his room or play area and to actively engage with stimulating toys while you help him explore their possibilities. Though you may be tired, it's important that you show your child the benefits of playing with his toys so he gets the stimulation he needs and so he learns to play with them on his own.
It doesn't matter if you don't have 80 million toys for your child to play with. It's the quality, not the quantity of the toys that counts. And you may find that your child's favorite toy of the month is an empty toilet paper roll.

Advertisement
Part Two of Four:
Loving Your Child
Edit
Image titled Raise a Child Step 7
1
Learn to listen to your children. Influencing their lives is one of the greatest things you can do. It is easy to tune out our children, and a miss an opportunity for meaningful guidance. If you never listen to your children and spend all of your time barking orders at them, they won't feel respected or cared for.
Encourage your children to talk. Helping them express themselves early on can help them communicate successfully in the future.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 8
2
Treat your child with respect. Don't ever forget that your child is a living, breathing human being who has needs and wants just like the rest of us. If your child is a picky eater, don't nag him constantly at the dinner table; if he's slow to potty train, don't embarrass him by talking about it in public; if you promised your child you'd take him to the movies if he was good, don't take back your promise because you're too tired.[4]
If you respect your child, then it's much more likely that your child will respect you back.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 9
3
Know that you can never love your child too much. It's a myth that loving your child "too much," praising your child "too much," or showering your child with "too much" affection can make your child spoiled rotten. Giving your child love, affection, and attention will positively encourage your child to develop as a human being. Giving your child toys instead of love, or not reprimanding your child for bad behavior is what will lead you to spoil your child.
Tell your child how much you love him at least once a day -- but preferably, as often as you can.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 10
4
Be involved in your child's daily life. It will take effort and strength to be there for your child every day, but if you want to encourage your child to develop his own interests and character, you have to create a strong support system for him. This doesn't mean you have to follow your child around every second of the day, but it does mean that you have to be there for all of the little moments, from his first soccer game to family time at the beach.
Once your child starts school, you should know what classes he's taking and the names of his teachers. Go over your child's homework with him and help him with any difficult tasks, but do not do it for him.
As your child gets older, you can start pulling back a bit, and encouraging your child to explore his interests without you by his side all the time.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 11
5
Encourage independence. You can still be there for your child while encouraging him to explore his own interests. Don't tell your child which lessons to take; let him pick from a variety of options. You can help dress your child, but go clothes shopping together with your child, so he has some say in his appearance. And if your child wants to play with his friends or to play with his toys by himself without you there, let him build his own identity from time to time.[5]
If you encourage independence early on, your child will be much more likely to think for himself as an adult.

Advertisement
Part Three of Four:
Disciplining Your Child
Edit
Image titled Raise a Child Step 12
1
Know that children need limits. They will ignore these limits on occasion. Reasonable punishment is one of the ways human beings have always learned. Children must understand what punishment is for and know that its source is parental love.
As a parent, you will need cognitive tools if you are to adjust unwanted behaviours. Instead of making up a confusing, non-related punishment like, "If you ride your tricycle into the street, you will have to balance this book on your head," withdraw a privilege. The child must naturally connect the privilege withdrawal with the behavior: "If you ride your tricycle into the street, you lose the use of your tricycle for the rest of the day."
Don't use violent forms of punishment, such as spanking or hitting. Children who are spanked or hit aren't any more likely to listen. Parents should never hit a child, under any circumstances. Children who are spanked, hit, or slapped are more prone to fighting with other children. They are more likely to be bullies and more likely to use aggression to solve disputes with others.[6] Children exposed to family violence are also more likely to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. [7].
Image titled Raise a Child Step 13
2
Reward your child for good behavior. Rewarding your child for good behavior is even more important than punishing your child for bad behavior. Letting your child know when he or she is doing something right will encourage the behavior in the future. If your child behaved well, from sharing his toys at a play date to being patient during a car ride, then let him know you noticed his good behavior; don't just say nothing when your child behaves well and punish him when he does not.
Don't underestimate the importance of praising your child for good behavior. Saying, "I'm so proud of you for..." can make your child feel that his good behavior is really appreciated.
You can give your child toys or treats from time to time, but don't make your child think that he deserves a toy any time he does something good.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 14
3
Be consistent. If you want to discipline your child effectively, then you have to be consistent. You can't punish your child for doing something one day, and then give him candy to stop doing it another day, or even say nothing because you're too tired to put up a fight. And if your child does something good, like using the bathroom correctly during potty training, make sure you praise your child every time. Consistency is what reinforces good and bad behavior.
If you and a spouse are raising your child together, then you should be a united front against your children, using the same disciplinary methods. There should be no "good cop, bad cop" routine in your home.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 15
4
Explain your rules. If you really want your child to recognize your disciplinary methods, then you have to be able to explain why your child can't do certain things. Do not just tell him not to be mean to other children, or to clean up his toys; tell him why this behavior will be good for him, for you, and for society at large. Making a connection between your child's actions and what they mean will help your child understand your decision-making process.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 16
5
Teach your child to take responsibility for his actions. This is an important part of disciplining your child and building his character. If he does something wrong, like throwing his food on the ground, make sure he owns up to the behavior and explains why he did it, instead of blaming it on someone else or even denying it. After your child does something naughty, have a conversation about why it happened.
It's important for your child to know that everyone makes mistakes. The mistake isn't as important as the way your child reacts to it.

Advertisement
Part Four of Four:
Building Character
Edit
Image titled Raise a Child Step 17
1
Do not reduce character education to words alone. We gain virtue through practice. Parents should help children by promoting moral action through self-discipline, good work habits, kind and considerate behavior to others, and community service. The bottom line in character development is behavior--their behavior. If your child is too young for real humanitarian behavior, you can always teach your child to be kind toward others, no matter his age.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 18
2
Be a good role model. Face it: human beings learn primarily through modeling. In fact, you can’t avoid being an example to your children, whether good or bad. Being a good example, then, is probably your most important job. If you yell at your child and then tell her never to yell, kick the wall when you're angry, or make mean comments about your neighbors, your child will think that this behavior is okay.[8]
Start being a good role model from day one. Your child will be aware of your moods and behavior earlier than you think.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 19
3
Develop an ear and an eye for what your children are absorbing. Children are like sponges. Much of what they take in has to do with moral values and character. Books, songs, TV, the Internet, and films are continually delivering messages—moral and immoral—to our children. As parents we must control the flow of ideas and images that are influencing our children.
If you and your child see something upsetting, such as two people in an argument at the grocery store or a clip about violence on the news, don't miss the opportunity to talk about it with your child.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 20
4
Teach good manners. Teaching your child to say "Thank you," and "please," and to treat others with a baseline of respect will go a long way in helping them succeed in the future. Don't underestimate the power of teaching your child to be kind to adults, to respect their elders, and to avoid fighting with or picking on other children. Good manners will follow your children for the rest of their lives, and you should start modeling it as soon as possible.
One crucial aspect of good manners is cleaning up after yourself. Teach your child to clean up after his own toys when he's three, and he'll make a great house guest when he's twenty-three.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 21
5
Only use the words you want your children to use. Though you may feel the urge to curse, complain, or say negative things about a person you know in front of your child, even if you're just talking on the phone, remember that your child is always paying attention. And if you're having a heated argument with your spouse, it's better to do it behind closed doors so your child can't mimic your negative behavior.
If you do use a bad word and your child notices it, don't pretend like it did not happen. Apologize and say it won't happen again. If you say nothing, then your child will think these words are okay

Teach your children to have empathy for others. Empathy is an important skill and one that you can never teach too early. If your child knows how to have empathy for others, then he'll be able to see the world from a more judgment-free perspective and will be able to put himself in someone else's shoes. Let's say your child comes home and tells you that his friend Jimmy was mean to him; try to talk about what happened and see if you can figure out how Jimmy might be feeling and what led to the negative behavior.[9] Or, if a waitress forgets your order in a restaurant, don't tell your child that she's lazy or stupid; instead, point out how tired she must be after spending all day on her feet

How to Raise a Child
No one would argue that raising children of character demands time and big effort. While having children may be doing what comes naturally, being a good parent is much more complicated. If you want to know how to raise a child, follow these steps.

Part One of Four:
Developing a Healthy Routine
Edit
Image titled Raise a Child Step 1
1
Put parenting first. This is hard to do in a world with so many competing demands. Good parents consciously plan and devote time to parenting. They make developing their child’s character their top priority. Once you're a parent, you have to learn to put your priorities below your children's, and to make the sacrifice to spending more of your day caring for them than you do caring for yourself. Of course, you shouldn't neglect yourself completely, but you should get accustomed to the idea of putting your child's needs first.
If you have a spouse, then you can take turns caring for the child so each of you can have some "me time."
When you plan your weekly routine, your child's needs should be your primary focus.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 2
2
Read to your child every day. Your 15 year old will particular appreciate this. Helping to nurture a love for the written word will help your child to develop a love for reading later on. Set a time for reading for your child every day -- typically around bedtime or nap time. Spend at least half an hour to an hour reading to your child each day, if not more. Not only will your child develop a love for words, but your child will have a better chance of both academic and behavioral success. Studies show that children that were read to on a daily basis demonstrate less bad behavior in school.[1]
Once your child starts learning to read or write, let your child take over. Don't correct his or her mistakes every two seconds, or your child will get discouraged.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 3
3
Eat dinner as a family. One of the most dangerous trends in the modern family is the dying of the family meal. The dinner table is not only a place of sustenance and family business but also a place for the teaching and passing on of our values. Manners and rules are subtly absorbed over the table. Family mealtime should communicate and sustain ideals that children will draw on throughout their lives.[2]
If your child is a picky eater, don't spend dinner time criticizing your child's eating habits and watching what he or she doesn't eat like a hawk. This will lead your child to have a negative association with family meals.
Get your child involved in the meal. Dinner will be more fun if your child "helps" you pick out food at the grocery store or helps you set up the table or to do small food-related tasks, such as washing the vegetables you will cook. An older child can obviously handle more than vegetable washing. Involve all the family in menu planning for the family.
Keep dinner conversation open and light. Don't give your child the third-degree. Simply ask, "How was your day?"
Check out the article Make Time for Family Dinners
Image titled Raise a Child Step 4
4
Set a strict bedtime routine. Though your child doesn't have to go to bed during the same five-minute stretch every single night, you should set a bedtime routine that your child can follow and stick to it. Studies show that children's cognitive abilities can drop two full grade levels after just one missed hour of sleep, so it's important that they get as much rest as they can before you send them to school.[3]
Your routine should include some winding-down time. Turn off the TV, music, or any electronics, and either talk to your child softly in bed or read to him.
Don't give your child sugary snacks right before bed or it'll be harder to get him to sleep.
Image titled Raise a Child Step 5
5
Encourage your child to develop skills each week. Though you don't have to sign your child up for ten different activities each week, you should find at least one or two activities that your child loves to do and incorporate them into your child's weekly routine. This can be anything from soccer to art class -- it really doesn't matter, as long as your child shows a talent or a love for something. Tell your child what a great job he's doing and encourage him to keep going.
Taking your child to different lessons will also help him or her socialize with other children.
Don't get lazy. If your child complains that she doesn't want to go to piano lessons, but you know she likes it deep down, don't give in just because you don't feel like driving over there.
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Give your child enough play time every day. "Play time" does not mean having your child sit in front of the TV and suck on a building block while you do the dishes. "Play time" means letting your child sit in his room or play area and to actively engage with stimulating toys while you help him explore their possibilities. Though you may be tired, it's important that you show your child the benefits of playing with his toys so he gets the stimulation he needs and so he learns to play with them on his own.
It doesn't matter if you don't have 80 million toys for your child to play with. It's the quality, not the quantity of the toys that counts. And you may find that your child's favorite toy of the month is an empty toilet paper roll.

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Part Two of Four:
Loving Your Child
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Learn to listen to your children. Influencing their lives is one of the greatest things you can do. It is easy to tune out our children, and a miss an opportunity for meaningful guidance. If you never listen to your children and spend all of your time barking orders at them, they won't feel respected or cared for.
Encourage your children to talk. Helping them express themselves early on can help them communicate successfully in the future.
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Treat your child with respect. Don't ever forget that your child is a living, breathing human being who has needs and wants just like the rest of us. If your child is a picky eater, don't nag him constantly at the dinner table; if he's slow to potty train, don't embarrass him by talking about it in public; if you promised your child you'd take him to the movies if he was good, don't take back your promise because you're too tired.[4]
If you respect your child, then it's much more likely that your child will respect you back.
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Know that you can never love your child too much. It's a myth that loving your child "too much," praising your child "too much," or showering your child with "too much" affection can make your child spoiled rotten. Giving your child love, affection, and attention will positively encourage your child to develop as a human being. Giving your child toys instead of love, or not reprimanding your child for bad behavior is what will lead you to spoil your child.
Tell your child how much you love him at least once a day -- but preferably, as often as you can.
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Be involved in your child's daily life. It will take effort and strength to be there for your child every day, but if you want to encourage your child to develop his own interests and character, you have to create a strong support system for him. This doesn't mean you have to follow your child around every second of the day, but it does mean that you have to be there for all of the little moments, from his first soccer game to family time at the beach.
Once your child starts school, you should know what classes he's taking and the names of his teachers. Go over your child's homework with him and help him with any difficult tasks, but do not do it for him.
As your child gets older, you can start pulling back a bit, and encouraging your child to explore his interests without you by his side all the time.
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Encourage independence. You can still be there for your child while encouraging him to explore his own interests. Don't tell your child which lessons to take; let him pick from a variety of options. You can help dress your child, but go clothes shopping together with your child, so he has some say in his appearance. And if your child wants to play with his friends or to play with his toys by himself without you there, let him build his own identity from time to time.[5]
If you encourage independence early on, your child will be much more likely to think for himself as an adult.

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Part Three of Four:
Disciplining Your Child
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Know that children need limits. They will ignore these limits on occasion. Reasonable punishment is one of the ways human beings have always learned. Children must understand what punishment is for and know that its source is parental love.
As a parent, you will need cognitive tools if you are to adjust unwanted behaviours. Instead of making up a confusing, non-related punishment like, "If you ride your tricycle into the street, you will have to balance this book on your head," withdraw a privilege. The child must naturally connect the privilege withdrawal with the behavior: "If you ride your tricycle into the street, you lose the use of your tricycle for the rest of the day."
Don't use violent forms of punishment, such as spanking or hitting. Children who are spanked or hit aren't any more likely to listen. Parents should never hit a child, under any circumstances. Children who are spanked, hit, or slapped are more prone to fighting with other children. They are more likely to be bullies and more likely to use aggression to solve disputes with others.[6] Children exposed to family violence are also more likely to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. [7].
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Reward your child for good behavior. Rewarding your child for good behavior is even more important than punishing your child for bad behavior. Letting your child know when he or she is doing something right will encourage the behavior in the future. If your child behaved well, from sharing his toys at a play date to being patient during a car ride, then let him know you noticed his good behavior; don't just say nothing when your child behaves well and punish him when he does not.
Don't underestimate the importance of praising your child for good behavior. Saying, "I'm so proud of you for..." can make your child feel that his good behavior is really appreciated.
You can give your child toys or treats from time to time, but don't make your child think that he deserves a toy any time he does something good.
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Be consistent. If you want to discipline your child effectively, then you have to be consistent. You can't punish your child for doing something one day, and then give him candy to stop doing it another day, or even say nothing because you're too tired to put up a fight. And if your child does something good, like using the bathroom correctly during potty training, make sure you praise your child every time. Consistency is what reinforces good and bad behavior.
If you and a spouse are raising your child together, then you should be a united front against your children, using the same disciplinary methods. There should be no "good cop, bad cop" routine in your home.
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Explain your rules. If you really want your child to recognize your disciplinary methods, then you have to be able to explain why your child can't do certain things. Do not just tell him not to be mean to other children, or to clean up his toys; tell him why this behavior will be good for him, for you, and for society at large. Making a connection between your child's actions and what they mean will help your child understand your decision-making process.
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Teach your child to take responsibility for his actions. This is an important part of disciplining your child and building his character. If he does something wrong, like throwing his food on the ground, make sure he owns up to the behavior and explains why he did it, instead of blaming it on someone else or even denying it. After your child does something naughty, have a conversation about why it happened.
It's important for your child to know that everyone makes mistakes. The mistake isn't as important as the way your child reacts to it.

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Part Four of Four:
Building Character
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Do not reduce character education to words alone. We gain virtue through practice. Parents should help children by promoting moral action through self-discipline, good work habits, kind and considerate behavior to others, and community service. The bottom line in character development is behavior--their behavior. If your child is too young for real humanitarian behavior, you can always teach your child to be kind toward others, no matter his age.
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Be a good role model. Face it: human beings learn primarily through modeling. In fact, you can’t avoid being an example to your children, whether good or bad. Being a good example, then, is probably your most important job. If you yell at your child and then tell her never to yell, kick the wall when you're angry, or make mean comments about your neighbors, your child will think that this behavior is okay.[8]
Start being a good role model from day one. Your child will be aware of your moods and behavior earlier than you think.
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Develop an ear and an eye for what your children are absorbing. Children are like sponges. Much of what they take in has to do with moral values and character. Books, songs, TV, the Internet, and films are continually delivering messages—moral and immoral—to our children. As parents we must control the flow of ideas and images that are influencing our children.
If you and your child see something upsetting, such as two people in an argument at the grocery store or a clip about violence on the news, don't miss the opportunity to talk about it with your child.
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Teach good manners. Teaching your child to say "Thank you," and "please," and to treat others with a baseline of respect will go a long way in helping them succeed in the future. Don't underestimate the power of teaching your child to be kind to adults, to respect their elders, and to avoid fighting with or picking on other children. Good manners will follow your children for the rest of their lives, and you should start modeling it as soon as possible.
One crucial aspect of good manners is cleaning up after yourself. Teach your child to clean up after his own toys when he's three, and he'll make a great house guest when he's twenty-three.
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Only use the words you want your children to use. Though you may feel the urge to curse, complain, or say negative things about a person you know in front of your child, even if you're just talking on the phone, remember that your child is always paying attention. And if you're having a heated argument with your spouse, it's better to do it behind closed doors so your child can't mimic your negative behavior.
If you do use a bad word and your child notices it, don't pretend like it did not happen. Apologize and say it won't happen again. If you say nothing, then your child will think these words are okay.
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Teach your children to have empathy for others. Empathy is an important skill and one that you can never teach too early. If your child knows how to have empathy for others, then he'll be able to see the world from a more judgment-free perspective and will be able to put himself in someone else's shoes. Let's say your child comes home and tells you that his friend Jimmy was mean to him; try to talk about what happened and see if you can figure out how Jimmy might be feeling and what led to the negative behavior.[9] Or, if a waitress forgets your order in a restaurant, don't tell your child that she's lazy or stupid; instead, point out how tired she must be after spending all day on her feet.
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Teach your children to be grateful. Teaching your child to be truly grateful is different than forcing your child to say "thank you" all the time. To truly teach your child to be grateful, you have to say "thank you" all the time yourself, so your child sees the good behavior. If your child complains that everyone in school has a new toy that you won't let her get, remind her how many people are less fortunate than she is.[10]
Expose her to people of all walks of life so she understands how privileged she is, even if that means she won't be getting a Nintendo DS for Christmas.
Saying, "I didn't hear you say thank you..." after your child misses this point won't actually get the message across as much as saying "thank you" yourself and making sure your child hears you.

Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Diabetics

Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Diabetics

Breakfast is an important meal for all. And if you are diabetic, it’s very important that you do not skip breakfast since your blood sugar level may be low after not eating overnight. Also, the right breakfast will provide much-needed energy to begin the day right.

A healthy breakfast can help with maintaining an ideal body weight, one of the key factors in diabetes management. A 2014 study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reports that eating breakfast, especially that which include grains, cereals, low-fat milk and whole fruit, can support weight loss.

Also, skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. According to a 2015 study published in Public Health Nutrition, eating breakfast regularly is potentially important for preventing Type 2 diabetes.

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you need to eat bland, boring foods at every meal. You can eat a variety of satisfying foods at breakfast that will fill you up without spiking your blood sugar. A high fiber and low glycemic index breakfast menu will help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

Also, eating a healthy breakfast does not mean that you need to create an elaborate spread.

Here are many diabetes-friendly breakfast ideas that will help you stay healthy and still get out the door on time.

Here are some healthy breakfast ideas for people who have diabetes.

1. Smoothies

For a meal in a minute, a smoothie is just the right option. Smoothies made with the right ingredients will give you a nutritional boost without raising your blood sugar level.

To make a diabetes-friendly smoothie, some good options for the base ingredient include fat-free milk, plain nonfat yogurt, almond milk, or even green tea.

choose antioxidant-rich and low-glycemic fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, apples, blueberries, avocados, cucumbers, spinach, kale, and so on.

You can also top your smoothie with nuts, flaxseeds or chia seeds to increase the fiber content that promotes a feeling of fullness.

For instance, you can try this recipe:

Put ½ cup of spinach into a blender.
Add ½ cup of frozen berries like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or a mix of different berries.
Add ½ cup each of almond milk and Greek yogurt.
Add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
Blend the ingredients for a couple of minutes.
Just 1 cup of this nutrition-rich smoothie will keep you satiated for hours.

2. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is another great breakfast staple. Hot or cold, oatmeal is the right cereal that you can enjoy several times a week.

The soluble fiber in oats slows the rate at which your body breaks down and absorbs carbohydrates, which helps keep your blood sugar levels stable. Oats are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, folate and potassium

You can choose from steel-cut, rolled or instant oats. However, stay away from the flavored varieties that can be packed with sugar.

Oatmeal is fast and easy to make. You can cook the oats in skim or low-fat milk and sweeten them with raw honey. Make your oatmeal even healthier by topping it with some nuts or chopped fresh fruit like apples or strawberries.

Enjoy a small bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, several times a week.

You can also try other whole grains like quinoa.

3. Barley

Barley is another healthy breakfast ingredient to help keep your blood sugar level under control. Plus, it has twice the protein and almost half the calories as oats, making it one of the best breakfast foods.

Lund University in Sweden shows that barley can rapidly improve people’s health by reducing blood sugar levels and the risk for diabetes. This is due to a mixture of dietary fibers found in barley, which can also help reduce one’s appetite as well as risk for cardiovascular disease.

To make barley for breakfast:

Soak 1 cup of pearl barley in water overnight.
The next morning, strain the barley and add it in 2½ to 3 cups of water in a saucepan.
Bring it to a boil, then cover with a lid and reduce the heat. Let it simmer for 20 minutes, until the grains are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Add a little raw honey and nuts to the cooked barley.
Eat it while it is still warm.
4. Low Fat Yogurt

A bowl of low-fat yogurt is another very good item on a diabetic diet plan. Low-fat yogurt has a low glycemic index rating, meaning it won’t spike your insulin levels after eating it.

Yogurt also provides a good amount of protein, calcium and many other essential nutrients that will keep you feeling full throughout the morning.

published in Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, found that higher consumption of yogurt was associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Another 2014 study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences suggested that probiotic yogurt consumption may be used as an alternative prevention approach and treatment method to improve dyslipidemia in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

You can eat a bowl of plain Greek yogurt, or make it more healthy and tasty by adding some almonds and chopped fruit like fresh pears, apples, strawberries or blueberries.

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How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids

How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids

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While most people think hemorrhoids are abnormal, the truth is everyone has them. They are clumps of blood vessels in the anus and lower rectum that help control bowel movements.

But most people only learn about hemorrhoids when they enlarge and become problematic. Enlarged hemorrhoids, also called piles, have caused millions of people pain and irritation.

Hemorrhoids are classified into two general categories – internal (originating in the rectum) and external (originating in the anus).

Enlarged hemorrhoids can occur at any age, but the problem is more common in older people. They affect both men and women.

Piles occur due to continuous high pressure in the veins of the body, which can happen from standing or sitting for long periods of time. Pregnancy, hormonal changes, obesity, constipation, straining when passing a stool, poor diet, lifting heavy weights and a family history of hemorrhoids are some of the common risk factors.

Common symptoms of piles include a hard lump that may be felt around the anus, unsatisfactory bowel movements, bleeding after a bowel movement, mucus discharge when emptying the bowels, pain while defecating, and redness, soreness and itchiness in the area around the anus.

In the majority of cases, piles are temporary and resolve on their own without any treatment. However, you can try some lifestyle changes and home remedies to significantly reduce the discomfort and itching that many people experience.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

When it comes to treating and reducing the discomforts of hemorrhoids, apple cider vinegar is one of the best remedies.

Its astringent properties help shrink the swollen blood vessels and provide relief from swelling and irritation. It can be used to treat both internal and external hemorrhoids.

Always use raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar for the best results.

For topical application, dilute the apple cider vinegar by mixing it with an equal amount of water. Soak a cotton ball in the solution, and apply it gently on the hemorrhoid. Once dry, apply coconut oil or castor oil on the area. Do this once daily.
Alternatively, you can add ½ cup of apple cider vinegar to a sitz bath and soak the affected area in it for 10 to 20 minutes, twice daily.
To aid healing from the inside out, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink it once or twice a day.
2. Rutin

Rutin, a vitamin supplement, is another good treatment for hemorrhoids. This bioflavonoid helps strengthen the veins and reduces inflammation.

The cold temperature from an ice pack will help constrict the blood vessels and reduce inflammation. It will also help alleviate the pain.

Put some ice cubes in a sandwich baggie or wrap in a thin towel.
Apply it to the anus for 5 to 10 minutes for fast relief.
Do it several times a day.
Note: Do not apply ice directly on the skin.

4. Sitz Bath

A sitz bath is also beneficial for reducing the discomforts of piles. It’s a technique in which you soak only the hips and buttocks in warm water.

The moist heat helps soothe hemorrhoids and relieve painful and itchy sensations. It also helps shrink anal fissures, thus treating the cause of the problem.

Eating a high-fiber diet lowers your risk of developing piles. Dietary fiber helps create bulk in the intestines, which softens the stools and makes them easier to pass. It also reduces constipation, one of the risk factors for hemorrhoids.

A 2006 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology reports that fiber shows a consistent beneficial effect in the treatment of symptomatic and bleeding hemorrhoids.

Fiber is found in numerous foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and cereals. To increase fiber in your diet, you can also soak a 3 or 4 dried figs in water overnight and eat them the next morning. Opt to take a supplement if you can’t get enough fiber from foods.

Note: Make sure to increase your fiber intake slowly to help avoid gas and bloating.

6. Lots of Fluids

Keeping your body well hydrated can make a big difference if you suffer from persistent or recurring hemorrhoids. This lifestyle modification helps treat as well as prevent hemorrhoids.

Proper water intake helps keep stools soft and regulate your bowel movements, reducing the chances of constipation.

The cold temperature from an ice pack will help constrict the blood vessels and reduce inflammation. It will also help alleviate the pain.

Put some ice cubes in a sandwich baggie or wrap in a thin towel.
Apply it to the anus for 5 to 10 minutes for fast relief.
Do it several times a day.
Note: Do not apply ice directly on the skin.

4. Sitz Bath

A sitz bath is also beneficial for reducing the discomforts of piles. It’s a technique in which you soak only the hips and buttocks in warm water.

The moist heat helps soothe hemorrhoids and relieve painful and itchy sensations. It also helps shrink anal fissures, thus treating the cause of the problem

Always use raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar for the best results.

For topical application, dilute the apple cider vinegar by mixing it with an equal amount of water. Soak a cotton ball in the solution, and apply it gently on the hemorrhoid. Once dry, apply coconut oil or castor oil on the area. Do this once daily.
Alternatively, you can add ½ cup of apple cider vinegar to a sitz bath and soak the affected area in it for 10 to 20 minutes, twice daily.
To aid healing from the inside out, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink it once or twice a day.

Rutin supplements are readily available in the market. You can take 450 to 500 mg capsules twice daily, once in the morning and again in the evening. Continue for a few days to get relief.
You can also eat foods rich in rutin, such as citrus fruits, bilberries, buckwheat and asparagus.
Note: Do not take rutin supplements during pregnancy.

3. Ice Pack

To deal with the swelling and pain associated with piles, an ice pack is a good home remedy.

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New study shows bullying in schools is down,

New study shows bullying in schools is down, feelings of safety are up

New study shows bullying in schools is down, feelings of safety are up
Catherine Bradshaw of the Curry School of Education is the senior author of the study, published in the journal Pediatrics. Credit: Dan Addison, University Communications
A new study from the University of Virginia and its partners has found a decrease in bullying and related behaviors. That is coupled with an increase in students' feelings of safety and belonging at their schools and perceptions that adults help to stop bullying.

The study – conducted with researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia – included self-reported data from more than 246,000 students in grades four through 12 at 109 Maryland schools.

"While bullying is a significant public health concern and has received considerable attention from the media and policymakers, these data suggest that things are starting to improve," said Catherine Bradshaw, professor and associate dean for research and faculty development in UVA's Curry School of Education, who began the research while teaching at Johns Hopkins. She is the senior author on the study, published May 1 in the journal Pediatrics.

"The findings provide insight into bullying behaviors among a large group of students, but are especially valuable as it's the only study of its kind to report rates of bullying measured over an entire decade," she said.

Nationwide, approximately 30 percent of school-aged youth have either engaged with, or been victims of, bullying, which led to a significant increase in research on the short- and long-term effects of bullying.

However, unlike this study, few efforts have examined the prevalence of bullying over the course of several years, including data on elementary through high school students. Nor have they focused on multiple forms of bullying that can range from physical and verbal incidents to cyberbullying.

The UVA researchers and their colleagues analyzed collected data that measured 13 indicators of bullying and related behaviors and attitudes, including whether respondents had been a victim of bullying in the past month, if they considered bullying to be a problem at their school and whether they felt safe and felt like they belonged in their school.

Overall, the reported prevalence of bullying and observed bullying decreased over the course of the 10 years of the study, with the greatest improvements in school climate and reductions in bullying occurring in the most recent years.

What Students are Saying

Eighty percent of students reported they felt safe and that they belonged at school, informing ratings of safety that increased significantly over time. Yet up to 28 percent of students in the study still reported that they experienced bullying within the past month. Approximately half of the students had witnessed a bullying incident.

"The findings show promise that there has been a decrease in the rates of bullying during the years of the study, which contradicts the public's misperception that bullying is on the rise," Bradshaw said. "That being said, the research shows that too many students are experience bullying on a regular basis, including cyberbullying, due to the increasing use of technology and social media – especially among younger students.

"This study, while encouraging, is a reminder that there is still a lot of work to do to stop bullying behaviors and help all students feel safe at school."

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Earliest relative of Brachiosaurus dinosaur found in France

Scientists have re-examined an overlooked museum fossil and discovered that it is the earliest member of the titanosauriform family of dinosaurs.

The fossil, which the researchers from Imperial College London and their colleagues in Europe have named Vouivria damparisensis, has been identified as a brachiosaurid sauropod dinosaur.

The researchers suggest the age of Vouivria is around 160 million years old, making it the earliest known fossil from the titanosauriform family of dinosaurs, which includes better-known dinosaurs such as the Brachiosaurus. When the fossil was first discovered in France in the 1930s, its species was not identified, and until now it has largely been ignored in scientific literature.

The new analysis of the fossil indicates that Vouivria died at an early age, weighed around 15,000 kilograms and was over 15 metres long, which is roughly 1.5 times the size of a double-decker bus in the UK.

It had a long neck held at around a 45 degree angle, a long tail, and four legs of equal length. It would have been a plant eater.

Dr Philip Mannion, the lead author of the study from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London, said: "Vouivria would have been a herbivore, eating all kinds of vegetation, such as ferns and conifers. This creature lived in the Late Jurassic, around 160 million years ago, at a time when Europe was a series of islands. We don't know what this creature died from, but millions of years later it is providing important evidence to help us understand in more detail the evolution of brachiosaurid sauropods and a much bigger group of dinosaurs that they belonged to, called titanosauriforms."

Helping scientists to know more about titanosauriforms

Titanosauriforms were a diverse group of sauropod dinosaurs and some of the largest creatures to have ever lived on land. They lived from at least the Late Jurassic, right to the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, when an asteroid wiped out most life on Earth.

A lack of fossil records means that it has been difficult for scientists to understand the early evolution of titanosauriforms and how they spread out across the planet. The re-classification of Vouivria as an early titanosauriform will help scientists to understand the spread of these creatures during the Early Cretaceous period, a later period of time, after the Jurassic, around 145 – 100 million years ago.

The team's incorporation of Vouivria into a revised analysis of sauropod evolutionary relationships shows that by the Early Cretaceous period, brachiosaurids were restricted to what is now Africa and the USA, and were probably extinct in Europe.

Previously, scientists had suggested the presence of another brachiosaurid sauropod dinosaur called Padillasaurus much further afield in what is now South America, in the Early Cretaceous. However, the team's incorporation of Vouivria into the fossil timeline suggests that Padillasaurus was not a brachiosaurid, and that this group did not spread as far as South America.

Digging into the past

The Vouivria fossil was originally discovered by palaeontologists in the village of Damparis, in the Jura Department of eastern France, in 1934. Ever since, it has been stored in the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. It was only briefly mentioned by scientists in studies in the 1930s and 1940s, but it was never recognised as a distinct species. It has largely been ignored in the literature, where it has often been referred to simply as the Damparis dinosaur.

Now, a deeper analysis of the fossil is also helping the scientists in today's study to understand the environment Vouivria would have been in when it died, which was debated when it was initially found. The researchers believe Vouivria died in a coastal lagoon environment, during a brief sea level decline in Europe, before being buried when sea levels increased once more. When the fossil was first discovered, in rocks that would have originally come from a coastal environment, researchers suggested that its carcass had been washed out to sea, because sauropods were animals that lived on land.

Today's team's examination of Vouivria, coupled with an analysis of the rocks it was encased in, provides strong evidence that this was not the case.

What's in a name?

The genus name of Vouivria is derived from the old French word 'vouivre', itself from the Latin 'vipera', meaning 'viper'. In French-Comte, the region in which the specimen was originally discovered, 'la vouivre' is a legendary winged reptile. The species name damparisensis refers to the village Damparis, from which the fossil was originally found.

The research was carried out in conjunction with the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle and the CNRS/Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, with funding from the European Union's Synthesys programme.

Currently, titanosauriforms from the Late Cretaceous are poorly understood compared to their relatives in the Late Jurassic. So, the next step for the researchers will see them expanding on their analysis of the evolutionary relationships of all species in the titanosauriform group. The team are also aiming to find more sauropod remains from older rocks to determine in more detail how they spread across the continents.

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