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Inculcating healthy habits in kids is of paramount importance. This is necessarily so in the face of childhood obesity and increased exposure to television and electronic gadgets. As parents get busier and preoccupied, they start giving in to unreasonable demands like excessive junk food intake and less physical activity. It is time to work towards the wellbeing and health of our kids. Healthy habits imbibed in childhood will hold them in good stead for life. As a mom of two sons, I am always striving to do my best to raise them with healthy habits.
Here are five tips that can help keep our kids healthy:
- Encourage physical activity:
An important mantra of parenting is practicing what we preach. Physically active parents often have physically active children. So, find time to ride bikes with your kids, run, jog, walk or play games. Children love playing in the park. Encourage them to play with other children. Evenings must be spent outdoors. Make sure you kindle in them a love for sports and outdoor activity. Make exercise fun and not a chore. It will keep them physically fit through their lives. Also, limit the time they spend on the computer, on gadgets and in playing video games.
- Promote good habits:
Be a good role model for your kids. After all, they learn so much by just observing you. Eat meals together at the dining table sharing anecdotes after switching off the television. Read books together to whet their appetite for reading. Encourage them to do chores around the house. Teach them good personal hygiene like hand washing, personal grooming etc. Adopt good habits yourself so that they will learn them too by the virtue of mimicking you.
- Eat healthy:
Kids must be told about the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables. Stock your dining table with fresh fruit. Encourage them to drink lots of water. Restrict junk food like pizza, chips and cola to once or twice a week. If possible, buy healthy snacks and biscuits. Experiment with your cooking and presentation to serve healthy food in kid-friendly ways. Involve kids while cooking. It helps them in loving food and its preparation. Encourage them to understand the important of eating fresh, healthy, home cooked food.
- Connect with your children:
Stay actively engaged with your children. Nurture communication channels so that the child feels comfortable in sharing and talking to you. Spend quality time together every day. This will help both of you build stronger bonds. Allow them to share their problems and views. While a parent needs to set deadlines and discipline the children, it is important that the children don’t feel resentful. Talking and open communication goes a long way in cementing relationships and making kids self-assured and confident.
- Encourage rest:
A child needs adequate rest to feel happy and grow optimally. Experts recommend specific number of hours of sleep for each child every day. Ensure that your child gets the same. Fix bedtime daily especially on school days. Have a nice routine around bedtime like a warm bath and a story that makes them look forward to it. You can allow them some leeway during weekends and holidays. This helps them evolve healthy routines for themselves.
Follow these tips to raise healthy and happy kids. In this quest for wellness, Chemmart Pharmacy is your partner with well- crafted health solutions.
All are valid points and you begin with the most important .. in this age of mobile games etc. most kids are stuck to screens, no wonder we see so many kids with specs now.
Thanks, Prasad!
Very nice tips, Rachna. I particularly agree with the mirroring good habits and the encouragement of physical activity. I am shocked at the way so many kids are glued to their tablets and their parents’ smartphones these days. We have tried to inculcate the reading habit in my daughter from the time she turned 3 and I am happy to note that she prefers reading books over technology to keep her entertained. Beautiful, succint points here 🙂
Thanks so much, Shailaja. I am so glad that the post resonated with you. Yes, there are times when I am distressed seeing how much time children spend on gadgets.
excellent tips…to add on I will also suggest do not over burden kids with tutions…let them study on their own I mean 95% in class two does not matter I will prefer a child to enjoy the childhood and exploring the skills and the world. Do not push the child for any hobby class just because it is the trend ask the child where does her interest lie.
Very true, Datta. I hope more of us can endeavor to let our children breathe and thrive in their childhoods.
Very well said Rachna, all these things are very much required for keeping kids healthy. I would suggest every parents to take out their kids to play some outdoor games instead of watching television 🙂
Yes, I agree, Alok. I am glad you liked the post.
Thanks Rachna for sharing such a wonderful and valuable tips. These days obesity in our kid is growing at very fast rate.It is may be due lack of our attention towards our kid.Your tips will help me to follow for my kid.
Thank you once again.
Thanks, Prasanna!
Absolutely..In my opinion,all points are important,but,physical exercise at that age is a must
Thank you, Chowlaji! I agree.
“Be a good role model for your kids.” This one line is the most important. Unfortunately, many parents practise the exact opposite of what they preach.
I agree. Unfortunately, that is true.
Great tips, Rachna! I agree that demonstrating good habits ourselves will convince our kids more than anything else; actions speaking louder than words!
Thanks, Rosh! Actions do speak louder than words.
Good tips Rachna!! Agree with all your points.
Thanks, Priya!
Agree that for keeping the mind healthy, one needs to keep the body healthy and this lesson is best earnt early in life! Best wishes to you and your family for Diwali, Rachna!
Thank you so much, Rahul. Best wishes to your family for Diwali as well.