Perfect Your Parenting Skills
Take some personal inventory. Look at your strengths and your weaknesses and work on the latter. You should try to take measures to better yourself every day. Who doesn't have work to do on themselves? This also brings up the next point. Consider your child as a unique individual who is like no one else. He or she may have different needs. Treat them accordingly. Set boundaries with your children.
Let them know upfront what is right and what is wrong, what is acceptable and what is not. If your child regards you as a pushover, it's sure to be a long 18 years. Let your children know that there are consequences. And be consistent. If you say you're going to do something, follow through. It's possible to discipline your children from a place of love, not anger. Even though your child may not always like the rules, they'll respect you for them.