Raising Healthy Kids

  A few weeks ago I was going through my 'Memories' box..we all have them...the ones with pictures, letters, memorabilia, etc. Well I found my old report cards from elementary school. (I wont even tell you how many years ago that was!).  I enjoyed the teachers comments about how I loved to talk in class, how i interacted with the kids, etc.  Of course I noticed my grades.  But then there was one other area that really caught my eye.  It was the number of days absent per marking period.  My eyeballs popped when I saw that most marking periods I was out anywhere from 5 to 20 days sick!  Being out that much could have had a little to do with the (ahem) grades I got.

As parents we want the best for our children.  We want them to be healthy, well mannered, and prosperous. But are we, as parents, setting our children up for a lifestyle that will cause them many health issues in their early years, and not even realize it?  You see my parents rarely got any exercise. They both smoked.  My mom, even though she was the best cook on the planet, didn't incorporate fruits and veggies in our meals.  We drank soda, ate a lot of candy and baked goods (and I have the fillings to prove it!) and had a lot of stress in the home.  At the age of 15 I had already developed kidney stones, and at 18 had a lump removed from my breast that the doctor said would be cancer in 10 years if I didn't change things.   Thank heavens back in the day, doctors actually took the time to educate their patients - mine gave me diet and lifestyle changes that made a world of difference back then.

Our children are little mirror images of us.  Many times we do things that, unbeknownst to us, are not healthy for us, and because of not being wel informed, we pass those same diets and lifestyles down to our children. For example, did you know that Diabetes is mainly a diet and lifestyle related disease that can be reversed?  Take a look at the parents and grandparents, and chances are the kids will be diabetic at some point too.  This is one disease that can be eliminated if changes are made.  But most don't know where to start or how to change.

So, what can we do to raise healthy, robust miniature citizens?  Here are a few tips to get you started.

1.  Kids normally have an abundance of energy!  Be sure your kids get at least 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic physical activity per day. More is better. (One benefit - they'll be calmer in the home and sleep better at night!) Sedentary lifestyles are common today with video games, TV, and the internet to keep them occupied.  Parents, its monkey see, monkey do with kids! If you spend hours at a time on the computer, chances are they will too!  Why not have family time a couple times a week where you ride bikes, play basketball, play tag, go for a walk, etc. to give them a jumpstart. You might find it winds up being more like 6 or 7 days a week with the family enjoying socializing with each other for a change too!  Meanwhile, be sure your kids get outside every day for sun, fresh air and exercise. Set a schedule if need be.

2.  Snacks!  In many families today both parents have to work outside the home to make ends meet.  When the kids come home from school they look for a snack (and then sit in front of the Xbox or TV).  Most snacks are prepackaged, microwaveable, fattening and unhealthy. Why not cut up some apples, carrots, or put out grapes, Cuties (oranges) or something healthy they can grab and eat that will not put on pounds or unhealthy cholesterol and sodium, but give them better health!

3.  Become educated on how to have better health, and talk about it with your kids. Explain that you are turning over a new leaf and going to start eating better so you can all be happier and healthier!  Find ways to spend time in the kitchen together making healthy meals. Find new recipes together.  And if necessary, go on a weight loss program together. Kids LOVE to exercise with their parents! 

4.  Set an example.   Remember, kids mirror their parents.  If you are eating unhealthy, drinking gobs of soda and coffee, not getting any exercise...be sure your kids will do the same.   Studies show that kids who start out in life with poor health habits may not only be overweight as children, but have very poor health starting as young as their early teens!  

5. Smile!!!    Create a healthy, happy, stress free environment for your kids. Remember, the family that plays (and prays) together, stays together!

Our children are our future.  Sadly over 35% are obese,  there is a growing number daily with diabetes and other diseases, and are having major health issues younger and younger as the years pass.  We can start with one family at a time...Why not you?  There really IS a better way of health!   And we can create it for our kids now!