As any parent knows, kids can be unpredictable. Children are going to have bad days, throw tantrums and struggle with new situations. How you respond to these behaviors can help your child learn how to cope with stress or frustration and grow into a more confident person. And as every parent also knows, it can be exhausting. Keeping your cool when your child is acting out or saying no again and again takes patience and practice. There will be days when nothing seems to go right, let alone smoothly. Fortunately, there are ways you can ease the stress of parenting and see even challenging situations as opportunities for growth rather than tests of your patience. Here are seven tips that will strengthen your parenting skills and help you handle almost any situation:

Set clear expectations

Every parent needs to set boundaries for their child’s behavior. Without rules, your child won’t know how to behave and what’s expected from him. If you’re struggling to set clear expectations, ask yourself why. Are you feeling overwhelmed by too many responsibilities? Are you lacking support from family or friends? Do you need to adjust your child’s schedule? Whatever the reason, you need to address it as soon as possible. Your child’s behavior is a direct reflection of how you’re managing your responsibilities and your relationship with him. The sooner you set limits, the sooner they’ll start to understand what’s expected of him. Boundaries also help your child distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate forms of behavior. They help him know where he can and can’t push the limits of acceptable behavior.

Give your child a voice

Children need to learn to express their feelings. If they don’t, they can develop anxiety and depression that can follow them into adulthood. You don’t need to wait for a meltdown or tantrum to give your child a chance to speak her mind. When you’re expecting your child to behave a certain way, give them an opportunity to say “yes” or “no.” Ask her to help you pick out her outfit for the day, ask for her opinion on the food you’re making for dinner or ask her opinion about a project you’re working on at home. These simple tasks give your child a chance to contribute and express her thoughts and feelings. When you’re in the middle of an everyday activity, ask your child how they are feeling. “Honey, do you like playing at the park? Are you worried about starting school next week? what do you like to eat for dinner?” These questions give your child a chance to open up about her feelings and express her thoughts without being overwhelmed. They also give you a chance to listen and empathize with your child’s feelings. You can then respond in a way that helps your child feel understood.

Use positive reinforcement

Kids respond well to praise, especially during difficult moments. The next time your child successfully navigates a challenging situation, offer her praise. For example, when she finally finds a book she likes in the library or sits quietly while waiting in line at the grocery store, praise her. When your child successfully responds to a new situation, offer her praise. If she’s making progress with a difficult task, or trying something new, praise her effort. When she does something particularly well, like sharing with a friend or picking up her toys without being asked, praise her for her skill or effort. When your child does something you like, don’t just say “good job.” Explain why she did such a good job.

Don’t react when you’re angry

Parenting is a challenging job, and it’s easy to let stress get the best of you. The next time you’re feeling angry about your child’s behavior, choose to let it go. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your child’s behavior, take a break from the situation. Take a few minutes to yourself, so you can calm down and approach the situation with a clear head. If you can, walk away from the situation. Alternatively, you can use an emotion-regulation technique to help you cope with the situation. Deep breathing: Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and focus on your breathing. This will help you relax and let go of your anger.

Don’t reward bad behavior

Parenting is a balancing act between teaching your child the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behavior while still letting him know that he can do and try things on his own. When your child behaves inappropriately, don’t reward the bad behavior with attention. Ignore the misbehavior and then address it when the situation has calmed down. If your child is misbehaving because she’s bored, ask her to help you with a task. If she’s trying to get your attention, ignore them. When your child calms down and you have their full attention, now address the misbehavior.

Conclusion

Kids are going to have bad days, throw tantrums and struggle with new situations. There will be times when you’re frustrated and don’t feel like you have any control over the situation. Times when your child is defiant, bored or just plain tired. And that’s normal. Parenting is a tough job, but it’s also one of the most rewarding jobs out there. With patience, practice and the tips presented in this article, you can navigate the choppy waters of parenting and come out on the other side a stronger, more patient person.