Every parent hopes to raise a healthy, well-adjusted child. In this day and age, parents have their work cut out for them, but by holding fast to values, ideals and modeling the right behavior, we have a fighting chance of making sure our kids grow up to be responsible, healthy citizens. This starts at home. Bibs & Business Magazine invites you to keep reading to learn more about teaching kids about healthy choices.
Parent Modeling
Kids learn the most during their pre-adult lives from what they see their parents doing. The best place to begin helping your child live a healthy life is by making good choices for yourself – and the sooner, the better. Start exercising and eating right — it’s actually not too difficult to do so on a budget. You can also teach them to cook on their own (toaster or microwave ovens work great for teaching kids how to cook and are safer than conventional kitchen ovens).
Stress Management for Kids
As a parent, you’re quite familiar with stress, so help your children practice some of the same stress-management techniques that you use. For example, teach them deep breathing when they feel anxious or stressed. You can also give them the opportunity to express their emotions. Learn more ways to teach your child to manage stress in this article from Psychology Today.
Too Much Screen Time
Kids spend an inordinate amount of time glued to screens, and this can have harmful effects in the long term. Many times though, they observe their parents doing the same thing. Research shows that too much screen time can negatively impact children’s mental health, especially their ability to recognize emotions.
Too much screen time isn’t just a problem for children’s emotional well-being and health. Many children have reduced recess periods and fewer sports programs at school, while they’re playing more video games and spending time on social media at home. All of this is pushing kids toward a more sedentary life, increasing their risk of obesity. We can help by setting screen time limits and modeling the online behavior we would like them to imitate.
Unhealthy Expectations
With social media and constant tabloid coverage, it’s easy for kids to get wrapped up in watching what celebrities do or to take the wrong cues. Today, young girls often associate being thin with beauty, so much so that if they’re not monitored carefully, it can lead to larger problems down the road. Make a point to talk to your children about what it means to be healthy, and that beauty is more than being skinny and having a pretty face.
If appearance is an ongoing concern, make a concerted effort to help your child feel more comfortable in his or her own skin. If he or she has acne, take them to the doctor to see about topical medication to help. Sometimes small efforts can go a long way toward boosting self-esteem.
Today, our children are surrounded by unhealthy choices and unsafe options. If we take the time to model beneficial habits and create a safe, stress-free home, our kids will grow into healthy, calm, and confident adults.
