Wisdom for parents
You pass on more than just genes to your children as a parent. Your children pick up your bad and good habits.
These bits of health advice will show your kids that you care.
Habit 1: Eat colorful food
It’s not just fun to eat foods in different colors, but it also has many health benefits. Your children should be able to understand the nutritional benefits of eating a rainbow of colors in their daily diet.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that all meals should be multicolored. You should still make an effort to include a variety of fruits and veggies of different colors in your diet. You can have a variety of colors, from red, orange, and yellow to yellow, green, and white.
Habit 2: Don’t skip breakfast
It’s possible to instill a routine of mealtimes in your children as a way to make it easier for them to continue this good behavior when they get older.
Harvard Medical School has confirmed that a lack of breakfast is associated with a four times more likelihood of becoming obese. High-fiber breakfast cereals may help lower your risk of developing diabetes or heart disease. Be aware of the sugar content.
Habit 3: Pick enjoyable physical activities
Some children don’t love sports. Some may dread gym class. It’s easy to stay healthy and active if your children see you doing what they love.
These activities may be a passion that they carry on into adulthood.
Encourage your child to continue trying new sports and being active with them if they haven’t yet found their sports niche. Encourage them to try a variety of activities, such as swimming, archery, and gymnastics.
Habit 4: Don’t become a couch potato
Get your children and yourself off the couch and out of the house. According to the Mayo Clinic, children who watch more than one hour of television per day are more likely to develop a variety of health problems.
Habit 5: Read every single day
Strong reading skills are essential for your child’s success at school and work later in life.
According to the Cleveland, Clinic reading is a way for children to build self-esteem and relationships with their parents. It also helps them succeed in later life.
Reading is a good activity to include in your child’s bedtime routines and playtime.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, children should be read daily starting at 6 months old.
Select books that appeal to your children so they see reading as a pleasure and not a chore.
Habit 6: Don’t drink soda, but water
Keep the message simple. Water is good for you. Soft drinks can be unhealthy.
Even if you don’t know everything, it is possible to help your children understand the basics.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), sugar in soft drinks does not provide nutrients. It can also increase calories, which could lead to weight problems. Water is, however, a vital resource that humans cannot live without.
Habit 7: Pay attention to labels (not designer labels)
Preteens and teens may be concerned about labels on clothes. You can show them that there is another type of label that is more important for their health: the food nutritional label.
Show children how your favorite packaged foods have labels that include vital nutrition information.
Habit 8: Have a family meal
It can be difficult to make time for a meal with your family when you have a busy schedule. It’s worth the effort.
Habit 9: Spend time socializing with friends
According to clinical child and family psychology review research, friendships are crucial for the healthy development of school-aged kids.
Kids learn valuable social skills through playing with their friends, such as cooperation, problem-solving, communication, and cooperation. Their school performance can be affected by having friends.
Encourage your children to have a wide range of friendships. This will give them life skills that they can use for many years.
Habit 10: Keep positive
Children can easily become discouraged when things don’t go their way. Encourage resilience in children when faced with setbacks and show them how important it is to stay positive.
Research from the Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review has shown that positive thinking and good relationships can be beneficial for both children and adults.
Your children can develop self-esteem and a positive mental outlook by showing them that they are loved, capable, and unique regardless of the challenges they face.
