Whether you realize it or not, your children are watching what you do and say. It’s important for children to grow up in a healthy environment that helps them learn and practice healthy habits.

Here are some areas for you to look at when considering the health of your children.

Diet, Sleep and Exercise

The prevalence of processed, sugary foods marketed toward our kids means that children struggle with maintaining a healthy mind and body. Many children want to be healthy and feel their best, and as a parent you should help them be their best.

Here are a few ways you can support your child in maintaining their health:

  • Monitor the kinds of foods you buy. Avoid processed and sugary foods, and be sure to stock plenty of fruits and vegetables. Research the best ways to keep your child healthy in what they consume.
  • Shop around for kids vitamins to support their diet and nutrition.
  • Make sure your kids know the benefits of proper oral hygiene. Have them brush and floss twice a day.
  • Monitor how much screen time your children engage in. They should have no more than two hours per day. This includes television, smartphones, computer and video games.
  • Children need a good amount of exercise. Promote physical activities like going on walks and bike rides or going to your local pool.
  • Also, make sure your children know the importance of getting regular checkups with their doctor.
  • Have family meals around the dinner table instead of in front of the television.

Tobacco, Drugs and Alcohol

It is suggested that you talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol sooner rather than later. Research has shown that when you talk to your kids earlier on, they are less likely to develop addictive behavior. Here are some ways you can help them:

  • Make sure your children know that they are not allowed to use alcohol, tobacco and drugs. If they violate these rules then there will be consequences.
  • Make sure they understand the dangers of doing drugs, smoking and drinking alcohol. Depending on how your child learns and listens, try showing them facts and statistics or use real stories of people you may know who have been affected by drugs and alcohol. Keep in mind that this can be a sensitive topic.
  • Get to know the parents of your child’s friends. Make sure they know what your expectations of your child are.
  • Set boundaries for your children when they go out. Know where they’re going, who they’re with and when they’ll return home.

Sex

Even though it can be a little awkward to talk about, your kids should understand sexual responsibility for their health and safety, and they people around them. They should know the importance of consent, and of love and respect when it comes to sex. This talk with your children should only happen if both parties are ready to listen and be open. This is also not a topic where one size fits all. There are many ways to approach this topic with your children, but here are some suggestions on how you can help them:

  • If your kids are younger, answer their questions about sex when they ask. If they are old enough to understand sex, have the talk with them well in advance, so that they know the risks involved.
  • Let them know that 1 million teenage girls get pregnant and 3 million teens contract STDs each year. The intention of sharing statistics like this shouldn’t be to scare your children, but to show them that you love and care for them. You want to make sure they are being responsible and careful.
  • Examine the messages that your children are receiving regarding sex in media and from their peers. Evaluate this information with them and talk openly about it. Don’t dig through anything personal to them. Instead, ask them to be open and you will do your best to be open as well.
  • Make sure they know they can talk to you if they have concerns or feel pressure about sex. You want your kids to feel like they can trust you and that you won’t react negatively when they ask questions.

 

It can be hard to keep up with all the responsibilities of being a parent, in addition to juggling everything else in your life, but the sooner you establish healthy routines with your family the easier it will be. Children tend to mimic the behavior of their parents, so lead by example. Let your children know you love and support them, and reward their good behavior. This can go a long way toward developing their self-respect and confidence.