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What Do The Experts Say? The Best Parenting Tips Ever From Child Psychologists

Experts share their must-read advice for raising a happy family (26 Photos)

Rebecca Raphael on Nov 4, 2011 at 9:00AM

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What Do The Experts Say? The Best Parenting Tips Ever From Child Psychologists

Stefanie Grewel/Cultura/Getty Images

The Top Parenting Tips from the Experts

Do you remember the last time you had time to read a parenting book cover to cover? Didn’t think so. You’re lucky to make it through 10 pages of a magazine before it’s time for another diaper change. That’s why we’re boiling down the best advice for you from top parenting experts. Consider this your parenting cheat sheet -- the essential tips you need to know (and have time to read!) before the next round of “Mommy, please play with me!” begins.

Figure Out What Your Kid is Really Saying
“Parenting rule #1 is to remember that all children express their thoughts, feelings and needs through their behavior,” says Dr. Sarah Klagsbrun, a psychiatrist in New York City who specializes in parenting issues. In other words, when your child does precisely what you just implored him not to do, there’s a reason behind that behavior -- and it’s your job to uncover it. “You can’t look at behavior in a vacuum; you’ve got to figure out what’s fueling it. Only then can you understand your child’s point of view and shape the behavior the way you want for the the future,” Dr. Klagsbrun explains.