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County Offices
 Find out about workshops and demonstrations in your neighborhood and around the state.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension
5741 Libby Hall
Orono, ME 04469-5741
(207) 581-3188
1-800-287-0274 (in Maine)
TDD: 1-800-287-8957 (in Maine)
FAX: (207) 581-1387
E-Mail: www-questions@umext.maine.edu
Raising Children

Mom grocery shopping with two young childrenRecommended reading

  • Birth Order * +
    Many researchers think that where we are in relationship to our brothers and sisters helps influence how we develop. This 6-page fact sheet examines characteristics of firstborns, middle-borns, last-borns, and only children.

  • The Growing Years * + Series on infant/child development
    The Growing Years is a set of 35 bulletins on infant and child development, from prenatal to five years, for parents and people who care for children. For a free, age-paced subscription to all 35 bulletins, call 800-287-0274 (in Maine), or 207-581-3445.

  • Parenting: Growing With Your Child * +
    Becoming a parent can be one of the hardest challenges you face as an adult. This 4-page bulletin describes the three basic kinds of experiences children need, and explains how parents go through stages of parenthood.

  • Temperament * +
    Temperament is a set of behavioral qualities that seem to be inborn and generally persist throughout life. This 4-page fact sheet explores ways to understand children by identifying behavioral traits.

  • Winning Ways to Grocery Shop with Young Children * +
    Grocery shopping with young children is often a challenge. Learn how to make shopping with your child easier, more enjoyable, and less stressful. Discusses emotional, physical, and language development; offers positive ways to set limits. 6 pages.

  • Winning Ways to Talk with Young Children * +
    Good communication leads to warm relationships, cooperation, and feelings of worth. Poor communication leads to kids who "turn off" adults, conflicts and bickering, and feelings of worthlessness. This 4-page bulletin explains how to talk with children so everybody wins.

* free online version available
 + published by University of Maine Cooperative Extension
 

Living Well Quick Tips
 Read or listen to all of our quick tips

A Child’s Self-Esteem
As a parent how are you helping your child’s self esteem? One way is to ask your child’s opinion or advice. For example if you ask your child to teach you something, you are showing confidence in his knowledge and skill. Your child will feel good about himself and belief that he is capable of succeeding.
audio icon Listen to this tip. [mp3]

Brain Development
Eighty percent of the brain grows during the first three years of life. To help the brain develop, talk, read, and sing to baby. Respond to baby’s cues by copying her movements, and you’ll see her try to copy yours (like sticking out your tongue). You are baby’s first teacher. A variety of activities and experiences help your baby grow.
audio icon Listen to this tip. [mp3]

Parent’s Role
A parent’s role in discipline is that of teacher. One method of discipline is involving the child through choices and consequences. For Example: If your child continues to forget to bring his dirty dishes into the kitchen after snacking, he looses the privilege of taking food out of the kitchen. This logical consequence is related to the misbehavior and would have been made known in advance.
audio icon Listen to this tip. [mp3]

Self Care
As a parent raising kids, it’s important to do self-care. When was the last time you played as an adult? Taking time for oneself doesn’t just happen. It needs to be planned. Adult play could include celebrating with friends, working on a special hobby, dancing to favorite music or taking a day off from work. Self care is the foundation for caring for others.
audio icon Listen to this tip. [mp3]

These messages are brought to you by the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

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