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Building Blocks for Healthy Kids

Written on February 15, 2008

Published on ediets 3/14/06

Now that I've got two of my children in college and two in high school I find myself smiling more often than not. No, it's not because two have left home, I actually miss them. It's because I figure that if I've survived parenting to this point, I've pretty much gotten past the worst, i.e. 4 teenagers in the house at one time!

As I look back on the good, the bad and ugly of childrearing I realize that it's about so much more than being a disciplinarian, it's helping your children set the stage for a good life, a healthy life, and a meaningful life. There is no question that raising kids today offers more challenges than our parents probably faced. I'm not saying our parents necessarily had it easier, but I am saying the things that kids had to deal with in the 50's, 60's and 70's versus what they deal with now seems far more complicated.

Case in point, I think we all remember, (with a bit of a giggle), the always out of date "coming of age" movie. We tended to focus more on the goofy clothing and slang words versus the actual point of the film which was coming to terms with our changing bodies. Now, kids can type in the word "body" and well, we all have a pretty good idea what comes up, and for many parents we're mortified at the prospect of what our kids can discover with one click of a mouse.

With the advance of technology our children are exposed to things that some of us never even heard of until we were well into adulthood. In my opinion, that's tough. Why? Because our kids aren't necessarily emotionally ready to handle the stuff that's thrown at them, but they're forced to because it's there. And while some kids can take it on and "deal" other kids are scared to death about their lack of understanding. I'm not simply referring to just sexual scenarios but drugs, friendships, and what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and a healthy body.

I thought it would be helpful to take a look at some building blocks I've put in place for my family and believe to be key in developing a healthy future for kids. Putting these blocks together may be just what your child needs to make the healthy climb into the world of grownups. Because I have raised four children and continue to deal with the challenges of the new millennium, I'm hopeful my experience and suggestions will help you to enjoy the process of childrearing versus dreading it. But more important, my hope is that these blocks will aid in giving your child everything he or she needs to be a healthy adult.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Body!

Immunization

This may seem like a no-brainer, but one of the most important things you can do for your children is to make sure they are safe from disease. As the caretaker of your children, it is your responsibility to make sure they are up to date with all immunizations necessary to keep them healthy and free of potentially life threatening diseases.

Though some families do not have immediate access to doctors and insurance check with your local Family Health Services to find out where you can have your child or children safely immunized.

At the beginning of 2006, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued the recommended 2006 childhood immunization schedule for the United States. The statement represents joint recommendations from the AAP, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

The 2006 schedule reflects several changes including the following:

• Hepatitis A vaccine is now recommended for universal administration to all infants 12 to 23 months of age, with a second dose six months later.
• A single dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine, a vaccine to prevent sepsis and meningitis, is recommended for all 11-to 12-year-olds, for adolescents at high school entry or 15 years of age, and for college freshmen who will be living in a dormitory.
• A single dose of an adolescent preparation of tetanus and diphtheria and acellular petussis (Tdap) vaccine is recommended for 11- to 12-year-olds, provided they have not received a tetanus and diphtheria (Td) booster dose, and for adolescents 13 to 18 years of age who missed the 11- to 12-year-old Td or Tdap booster dose.

Please visit www.cispimmunize.org/IZSchedule_2006.pdf for the latest in immunization information for your child.

Healthy Eating

We hear about it everyday be it through the news, newspapers or magazines that childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportions. Though the information about childhood obesity has been around for a number of years, little progress has been made in improving the situation. I believe much of the problem lies in the lack of education of parents as well as their kids when it comes to healthy eating.

Because so many parents have grown up without proper nutrition education it's tough for them to understand the damage large quantities of fast food can do. Therefore, it is important to find ways to encourage healthy eating and well, it begins at home. Consider the following:

• I know it's tough, but try to eat together as a family, even if you're single parenting. Sit down for a meal (even if it's soup and sandwiches) to spend some "down" time with your kids. Eating at home increases the odds that your child is getting a much healthier meal.
• You have control when you're in charge, so find time to chop up fruit and make it available to your kids. The same goes for veggies.
• Get in to the habit of providing regular snacks that are built around fruit and/or whole grains.
• Be sure to encourage breakfast every morning. Yogurt and fruit, a peanut butter whole wheat bagel, a banana and granola bar will all work as a good start to the day.

Moving Everyday!

Remember when you were a kid and would come home from school, throw your books on the table and run outside looking for a group of friends to play ball with? For some of us, it was homework first, then playing. More often than not, we would spend a good 2-3 hours outside playing before coming in to sit down for a home cooked meal.

Things have changed dramatically since those days. Due to basic safety measures, many kids no longer play outside and have traded in "pickup" ball games for computers and television. Activity for kids is only available through organized sports and for many kids that isn't always an option.

It is vital to emphasize the importance of being active however you can get it in. Perhaps you can drive to a different neighborhood or take a bus to a different neighborhood and go for a walk. Don't dismiss the value of parking farther away when running errands. Why not have a family "fit" night where someone gets to pick a game of their choice that involves physical activity. Why not host a "talent" night at home where your kids create their own dance to their favorite CD?

Sit down with your child and talk about the value of exercise and moving versus just sitting. It's a valuable lesson that will set the course for a healthy life.

Regular Hand washing

I remember watching a program on TV about germs and bacteria and one of the doctors on the program said, "The best way you can prevent colds and flu is with regular hand washing." From that moment I made my kids wash their hands the minute they came home from school and again before dinner. My kids were rarely if ever sick and I attribute it to regular hand washing.

I never was over the top about anti-bacterial, just good old fashioned soap and warm water. The beauty is that to this day, my kids are avid hand washers. This is a healthy habit you can teach your kids from the time their able to hoist themselves up to the sink. The following are some suggestions about the best times to scrub those hands.

• Before meals or snacks have kids wash their hands.
• Make sure they wash all the way up to their elbows.
• My kids would count to 20 slowly to make sure they get a thorough washing.
• If someone is sick at home, I remind the kids to wash their hands after handling their toys.
• Immediately washing hands after school is a great way to keep illness at bay!

Building Blocks for a Healthy Mind!

We may believe that good parenting skills are a natural. However, the truth is often times becoming a good parent is a "trial and error" scenario. I always had so much sympathy for my first child because my Grandmother used to refer to him as the "experiment" child and you know what? She was right. By the time I had my fourth child, I felt as though I had pretty much mastered some decent parenting skills. But there are little things that we may dismiss that our children never forget. Some of these special parenting additions can make a world of difference in the way your child feels about himself, allowing him to grow up with a healthy mental attitude.

READ! READ! READ!

As a writer, I started my career writing children's stories. In my opinion, there is no greater gift to give your child that the love of reading. And what better way to start them off than reading to them everyday? As long as they will listen I would read!

As your children get older, let them pick out books that you can read together. There is nothing that better defines "quality time" with kids than sitting down and reading a good book together.

Don't Miss Out!

I can remember as a kid looking out into the audience during a school performance and wishing my parents were able to watch me. For whatever reason, they couldn't make it. I got over it, but I'll never forget it. It can be devastating for a child that looks for parental support in public appearances only to find that every time they look into the stands their parents are absent.

Show your children that you support their efforts by taking time to attend their events, whatever they may be or however trivial they may seem. If both parents can't make it, see to it that at least one parent attends. Half is better than none and in the eyes of your child it's the difference between "you matter" or "you don't."

Tell them you love them!

Never miss an opportunity to tell your child you love them everyday through words or actions. The best way to teach your child the value of his presence within the family is to remind him how much he is loved. It is the sad truth that kids will join a gang or pull away from the family because they don't feel they fit in at home. Making your child feel like an intricate part of the family will be the difference between strong family ties or numerous loose ends.

Just Say No!

I think one of the most difficult aspects of parenting is being able to say "No" to our kids. Although we know the value of teaching them wrong from right, sometimes it is easier just to give in than to stick to your guns and say, "No" and mean, "No." Though you may wonder how discipline fits into the "Mind" building block there is no question that when your kids are clear on boundaries and are more mindful of actions and consequences. Here are some things to consider when it comes to discipline:

• Be consistent. You can't say "No" one day and "Yes" the next. They will be confused and not learn about boundaries. When kids are unsure they can act out in other ways. Consistency with discipline is key.
• Be on the same page with your husband, spouse or other disciplinarian. How many times do we hear parents say, "Go ask your Mom," or "Go ask your Dad." Parents have got to be on the same page so your child understands your values are the same. In addition, you don't want your kids playing one against the other and if you differ on what constitutes punishment your child will learn to work the system versus learning clear expectations.
• KNOW who your kids are with, what they're doing and where they are. Asking your child these questions will reinforce your concern for their well-being.
• Talking is far more powerful than yelling. Though all kids are different and respond differently to discipline, over the years I have found that yelling is far less affective than calm conversation. As my son once said to me, "When you yell at me I just hear, blah, blah, blah but when you talk to me I feel bad and it makes me think more about what I've done." There you have it, right from the horse's mouth!

Consistent discipline helps to set a solid foundation for life by teaching very clearly right from wrong and good from bad.

Building Blocks for Life!

There are certain life skills that I feel every child should have in order to be a well functioning adult. Certainly I understand that with every family there are different circumstances, but the reality is the basic building blocks can help to set a strong foundation for your child. We have discussed the healthy body blocks and mind blocks. Following are necessary life skill blocks that will help your child make his or her way into the sometimes confusing world of adulthood.

Time Management

If I would have been given time management skills as a youth, it would have saved me years of wasted time! I see parents all the time organizing their children's schedule when the reality is you should be teaching your child how to set up their own schedule!

In today's rush, rush world, overbooking your child's life is common practice, but remember, you may not be doing the best thing for your child. Schedules that are crammed with too much can increase stress levels which is not a healthy thing for your child. If your child experiences constant high stress as a child, that will often transfer into their adult life.

If you find that you are always the one organizing your children's life, they will never learn solid time management skills. Do yourself and your child a favor; provide them with skills that will allow them to organize their time and life wisely. Doing this will help ease stress that comes from overbooking and bring about a more balanced life which should be the goal of all parents.

Personal Responsibility

Of all the life skills, I think this one, in my opinion, is the most important. Part of personal responsibility includes making good choices about lifestyle, and we are all personally responsible for being as healthy as we can be. We can't blame anyone for being inactive or eating poorly, but we can certainly take the credit when we are eating well and exercising regularly.

Helping your children to understand personal responsibility is the first step to taking charge of their life and feeling a sense of control. Taking personal responsibility and implementing it along with the other building blocks will serve to set a wonderful foundation for healthy living.

Personal responsibility understands the consequences of actions. When our children take responsibility for their actions they are more likely to make choices they will be proud of. Remember, the best way to teach your child about personal responsibility is to display it as a parent.

 

 

The healthy living Building Blocks are simply suggestions for getting your child on track to creating a healthy lifestyle. For many parents, they are still trying to change their lifestyle and get healthy. What better way to change lifestyle habits than as a family. Support, unconditional love and positive reinforcement will encourage your children to make the right choices and get them on the road to a lifetime of healthy living. You can't give your child a better gift than that!