Motivating your child to establish regular exercise and healthy eating habits from a young age can be a challenge. A parent is a child’s number one role model. Therefore your number one priority has to be your own health. It’s true what the airline flight attendant say, “You must don the mask over your nose and mouth prior to helping your child”! Decide right now to make your health a top priority, it’s not selfish, in fact it’s the best thing you can do for your child, but you have to mean it, It is amazing how kids pick up on wishy-washy intentions, so get serious and be consistent!
If you and your child are thinking about taking up a new physical activity this year, why not find out a little more about it before? Take a walk to your local Public Library, you’ll find great resources and books about all sorts of activities and sports. Research the ideal sport or activity together and help him or her get excited about it!
Do you have a picky eater on your hands? Are you trying hard to get your child to eat more fruits and vegetables, when he or she wants is mac and cheese? You are not alone as most parents want their children to eat healthy as possible, but actually getting them to do takes more skill. It’s not enough to just tell them to eat the foods you want them to, that does not often work. Luckily, there are ways to work around the picky eater and encourage good nutrition. Setting an example and eating new healthy foods yourself without making a huge deal about it. Children watch their parents and are likely to follow example, good or bad. Offer your child choices, there is nothing worse for anyone than being told you must eat something and have no choice in the matter. Instead of one vegetable, offer two or three. And instead of plating your child’s food, allow them to create a meal plan with you. This could be as simple as the night before having a discussion with them regarding what to take out of the freezer for the next day. Let your child help cook, delegating little jobs, like stirring the ingredients in the bowl, just get them involved. Even something simple as washing the vegetables, it helps the child become invested in the outcome. This way when you sit down at the table, praise your child for the healthy choices they made. Thank your child for their hard work in helping to make the meal and encourage them to sample their handiwork. This should encourage the pickiest eaters to give them something new and healthy a try!
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