If you're a parent, you have the power to stop your child's drug use or obesity and to shape the way they think about college, studies show.

But what about the other adults in your child's life?

Be A Better Parent

Principals, nurses and coaches spend a lot of time with your little angel. We asked some to list the top five things they wish every parent knew.

Some parents are clamoring for the advice. At Adams Elementary School in Omaha, Principal Pam Lang said she spends more time now than in any other part of her 10-year career at the school coaching parents.

"I don't know if it's society in general, or more single-parent families that don't have time to parent, or more kids with emotional issues. We're spending more time saying, 'You've got to have a structure at home,'" Lang said.

What Principals Say

Show children how important school is.

Lang said that instilling the importance of school can be as easy as making it the top priority in kids' lives.

"Get them to school on time and make their appointments for after school," Lang said.

Talk, talk, talk -- to your kids and to the school.

Lang said the best thing parents can do if they identify a problem at school is to call the teacher right away instead of waiting for an issue to blow up.

"Sometimes (we) get bits and pieces, so communicate with your teacher. If there is a problem, we'll get to the bottom of it," she said.

At Omaha's Swanson Elementary School, Principal Laura Croom said parents should direct conversation, not just idly chatter with their children.

"I don’t mean asking, 'What did you do in school today?' But rather, 'What was a really great question you heard or asked today?'" Croom said. "Likewise, share with your child what you’ve done with your day. When did you use math skills, probing questions, wrong answers or mistakes?

Make a habit of homework

Both Croom and Lang said educational time at home is important, whether the teacher assigned homework or not.

"Schedule a regular time," said Lang. "Even if they don't have homework, the kids should have a book at home to read or math to practice."

Croom likes to encourage a 20-minute minimum for families to read together.

"Nightly reading with your child -- yes, even older children -- should be a parent’s nightly homework," Croom said.

Chores reinforce lessons

Lang said regular household chores and responsibilities not only boost school lessons, but they make a child feel worthwhile and useful in the family.

Proper diet and sleep affect the classroom

The principals said proper nutrition -- preferably around a family table -- and adequate sleep make all the difference in a child's ability to learn.

"We've had kindergarteners falling dead asleep at 1 p.m. We call the parents and ask what time they're going to bed at night," Lang said.

Nurses Say

Not every sniffle should be treated with antibiotics

Kerry Niemann, a nurse at Boys Town Pediatrics in Omaha, Neb., said it is critical to know the difference between viral and bacterial infections. Viral infections can't be fought with antibiotics, and over time, overuse contributes to drug resistance, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

In a brochure created for doctors, the state of Washington Health Department (.pdf) said antibiotics won't help the common cold, flu or most cases of bronchitis.

Drugs may not treat symptoms In January, the Food and Drug Administration issued a public advisory that said children under age 2 should not get over-the-counter cough and cold remedies because of potentially serious side effects. Esther Ramos of Boys Town Pediatrics in Omaha said parents can treat most coughs and colds without drugs.

"The best treatment is rest, lots of fluids (more important than even eating), warm steam for coughs, and saline nose drops for stuffy noses," Ramos said in an e-mail.

Ramos said chicken soup can go a long way, too, toward feeling better.

Less TV is good for the family

Registered nurse Jan Stawniak works with maternal child clinical education at Creighton University Medical Center. She said packed schedules and too much TV and videogames aren't good for kids.

"Limit extracurricular activities, teach them the beauty of others as opposed to TV," Stawniak said.

Instill good eating habits early

Stawniak said the basics of good nutrition start at breastfeeding. Everyone in the family can try to gather for a family breakfast, and parents set the model for food choices throughout the day.

"It is harder to lose weight once it is on," Ramos said.

Keep a consistent doctor

Stawniak said it is important that children feel comfortable talking with their caregiver.

"They need to be able to talk with their caregiver when they have questions they are not comfortable discussing with their parents," Stawniak said.

A familiar face can provide confidence and drive home messages about proper diet, sleep and health habits.

Coaches Say

Support your team, win or lose.

Sports teach real-world skills, and in the real world you don't win every time.

Tim Cannon, the 23-year coach of the Bryan High School boys basketball team in Omaha, said his focus is on developing winning habits.

He said that he tells parents not to focus on wins and losses. Other things are more important.

"(If you can) be on time, work your hardest, be other-oriented not self-centered, you're going to be successful," Cannon said.

Relax and enjoy the game

Cannon said it's easy, as a parent, to get passionate about your child's sport. But ultimately, it is their sport -- not yours.

"Let your child play the game and take the risks. Don't take credit or blame," Cannon said.

Enjoy the whole game, too, not just your child's contributions and accomplishments.

Don't coach from the stands

Let the coach figure out the best plays and the best use of your child's talents. Screaming and yelling at the coaches or referees doesn't model good habits and doesn't help the game.

Support the lessons from the court at home

Wyatt Gardner is president of Benson Little League in Omaha. He said he can immediately tell on the field which parents are making practice time at home a priority.

"You can see it whether, we're (seen as) a baby-sitting service or whether parents are active," Gardner said.

"Buy into what the coach is teaching the player. I talk a lot about commitment to each other. You have to have commitment to your spouse, your children -- you can't just go away," Cannon said.

Think safety

Injuries come with sports, but you can cut them down by being vigilant. Make sure your child's gear fits properly, and be the eyes and ears of the coach when you're at games or practices.

"Make sure to help clean up and help out around the field. Let coaches know about repairs or dangers. Leave pets at home," Gardner said.

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Parents' Guide To Nutrition

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