Being a mom, a lot of your time can be taken up with worry about how your kids are doing. Are they healthy enough? Are they happy? But so much of life is not in our control, despite our instinct to protect and provide. But something that we can do is give them the best foundation on which to build their lives. Which in turn, gives them the best chance of growing up both healthy and happy. Read on to find out more.
Model their diet now
Something that can be helpful when you’re trying to raise healthy kids is to model their diet now. It’s no good letting them eat what they want for the first few years of their lives. Then expecting them to switch to a super healthy diet without a fight later on!
The best way a parent can do this, aside from providing healthy food in the home, is to eat a similar diet themselves. Kids are sharp, and they will pick up on any inconsistencies between what you eat, and what you are feeding them very quickly. They also model a lot of behavior from their parents and siblings as they grow up, so make sure that there are plenty of good role models around for them.
Another important aspect of their diet is to include whole foods that can help boost things like their immune system. But be careful here, as there is a lot of unscientific advice out there about this sort of thing. Meaning it can be from very confusing as to what is truly healthy and what isn’t.
To assist you in making that choice you can use sites like HealthyButSmart.com. Which provide the low down, and evidence on the latest food fads and trends, so you can be sure that they are worth the time and effort.
Healthy relationships are important
Something else that is essential for your child’s happiness is for them to form healthy relationships, both with you,their parent and with their friends, and siblings. Remember so much of how they feel about themselves is based on their early experiences. So it’s important to make these as healthy as possible.
This means teaching them fair but consistent discipline. As well as how to communicate effectively, sharing, and turn taking.
It is also important to set aside some time in which you and you kids can bond. Use this time to demonstrate an interest in what is important to them.
Make Activity Fun
Something else that you can do for your kids, from when they are very young is introduced them to fun exercise activities. It is better to put the emphasis on fun and participation, rather than just the exercise. As this can help them build a healthy relationship with exercise that will stand them in good stead for a lifetime.
Remember adults that exercise 5 times a week as less of a change of contacting many major diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Help them to be ahead of the curve later in life by getting them interested and engaged in exercise now.