If you have kids, chances are you’re trying to be the best parent you can be. Fortunately, it’s not that hard to be a good parent. Avoid poor parenting by learning about proper parenting techniques, and before you know it, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any tantrums or behavior problems your child may have.

Let’s discuss some ways to avoid poor parenting:

Learn about child development
Many of the vexing issues you are dealing with as the parent of your child are caused by phases in child development. As your child learns to speak, for example, he may constantly hear “No!” to every order you make. This is more of a developmental issue than a real challenge on your child’s part, but it’s easy to mistake one for the other. Learning about the various stages of development that children go through can be very helpful in these situations.

Read about ongoing behavior problems
If your child is experiencing the same types of behavioral problems, such as lying or stealing, on an ongoing basis, it may be time to take a trip to your local bookstore or library. You can often find a lot of information on how to help your child solve various behavior problems. These books may offer new parenting tips, ideas for managing behavior, or ways to punish behavior she doesn’t want and reward behavior she’d like to see. Education is always helpful in raising a difficult child, so be sure to seek out all the resources available to you.

Consult a therapist if necessary
If you are having ongoing problems with your child and feel that the problem may be out of your control, consider working with a child therapist. These professionals are used to dealing with many child behavior issues and can help you avoid making poor parenting decisions. They may be able to help you understand your child’s behavior. They can also teach you and your child important coping skills and communication tools so you can relate better to each other. If you’re feeling extremely angry and frustrated about your child’s behavior, you may want to consider scheduling a therapy appointment for yourself, too, so you can talk to someone in private about the stress you’re dealing with.

Parenting can be hard, but bad parenting behaviors can make it even harder. If you feel overwhelmed, seek additional information on how to manage your child’s behavior or talk to a therapist for advice.