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Here is the best online parenting advice we can give: don't be afraid to get down on the floor or get out in the yard or go to the park and play with your kids. Your physical interactions will cause such a strong reaction to even the briefest amount of contact. Being a great parent doesn't cost a thing. All of you will be laughing your silly heads off, and they'll be begging to spend more time with you, their Power Parent.

Diffuse a Tantrum
This is the whopper of all Power Parent actions, so I should save it for last, but it is too good to wait!

You and your kids need to find a secret code word to neutralize a major blow-up, that will work just like knowing how to cut the right wires on a bomb.

By the way, this works with spouses too.

When you find yourself having the next big fight, you'll find the perfect time to put this strategy into action.

First, walk away from the fight. Say you'll be back to talk when you are calmer. Later, when the yelling, fighting, screaming, kicking tantrum thrower is in the whimpering, I need love stage, return and say you need to talk.

Ask the tantrum thrower to help you come up with an idea that will help stop the major fits. Listen and compliment the ideas they give. Then say, "What about a secret word, that only you and I know that we can say to stop a fight and make us laugh?"

This usually draws a smile, and if it does, here's your chance to swing into action: Let them pick the secret word.

If it doesn't, let it go and try again another time. It will eventually work.

Explain that either you or they can use it when you are having a fight and it should be a word that makes you both laugh.

Now you could prompt a secret word (we've used Schmagoogie for years, but it could be Waa, Waa, Waa or any other nonsense word you and your little one fathom) and see if they bite, but let them choose.

You might want to write down the word (especially if you are a little rusty in the memory department) to seal the deal. Your child will probably surprise you with this the next time that you light into him or her. But, you've agreed to let that word neutralize the emotions, and you need to keep your word. Take a time out and laugh a little, then compose yourself and talk things through. It really works, will give your little pal a powerful communication tool to cut through the normal family nonsense. It will give you new perspective and space to enjoy the true rewards of parenting!

Who's afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?
This is one of my best childhood memories, and I'm sure it will be one of my kids' as well.

Just lie on your back and let your child sit on your belly facing you. Hold your child under each of their thighs, near the knees (adjust to make sure the balance is right). Tell your child to lean forward and hold on to their knees or your hands. Then lift them in the air along with the words of the song...

Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf! (Lift)
The big, bad wolf! (Lift)
The big, bad wolf! (Lift and hold up in the air)
Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf! (Slowly descending with each word)
Not my little [crazy nickname for your child - like Tommy McButter Pants - don't ask :-) ]

You can give any kind of animal ride -

• Horsey - the classic. You can figure this out. Get down on your hands and knees. Have the child climb on your back (a chair, stool, bench or bed can help with this) and crawl around with them on your back making horsey sounds.
• Donkey - for the more adventurous. It is horsey with a kick, literally. Just buck and kick a little more and make Donkey sounds.
• Elephant - for those working on arm strength. It is horsey with one arm swinging in the breeze like an elephant's trunk. Elephant sounds are awesome - just put your lips together and blow as hard as you can.
• Camel, Snake, Crab, if you know how it moves and what it sounds like, you can make this game go for hours.

• Star Wars Theme Song This one makes my boys go crazy
• Spiderman Theme Song The Michael Buble version on the Babalu album is awesome
• Bionic Man Theme Song Teach your kids to do the slow motion Steve Austin run - hilarious
• I Need a Hero Jennifer Saunders on the Shrek Soundtrack
• I Just Can't Wait to Be King Lion King Soundtrack
• Theme from the Greatest American Hero I found this on a TV Themesong Album
• Allstar by Smashmouth
• Superman by Three Doors Down
• I Just Want to Fly by Sugar Ray

Now drop those inhibitions and dance! If nothing else, this will give your kids the confidence to be the life of the party, not the wallflowers. And you'll have a blast swinging them around, learning new steps from them.

When they get older, this turns into a Dance, Dance, Revolution or Karaoke opportunity. We did DDR with 30 family members at our holiday gathering and had a blast.

Cultivate a love of music and dancing today, to build great memories, bond with your children and give them a fantastic boost for their social skills.
Inject Fun into Every Day Activities
There is no reason that your daily activities can't be opportunities for bonding - every day actions like cooking, cleaning, volunteering, grocery shopping, can all involve games and learning opportunities as long as you approach them with a mind to make them fun. Your outlook toward these activities matters - if you grumble about doing them, your kids will too. If you make them the highlight of the day by finding little moments of fun, they'll make the time speed by.

Hey, Power Parent, how does "Please, may we go grocery shopping?" sound to you? Get into the action today!

Actions Are Cool - But Let's Go Back to Let's Top Ten Tips for Power Parents
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