Five Healthy Habits Every Parent Should Model For Their Children

Mind is All

We all want our kids to be healthy, but are you teaching your children healthy habits? Review this list of five healthy habits every parent should strive to instill in children, and then find ways to make these goals practical for your life situation.

Show your child that exercise is important. Turn off the television, step away from the computer, and get active. Figure out something you and your child both love to do, and do it together. Some easy options are: play volley ball, shoot baskets, or go for a bike ride.

Model healthy eating habits. This will feel counter culture, since most Americans send their child lunches with Doritos and Oreos and think it's acceptable to buy chicken nuggets and fries for dinner. Plan ahead so you can make healthy meals, and send home packed lunches, explaining to your child why you don't think Cheetohs fit into a healthy food group. Give each meal a grade, explaining what are the healthiest and least healthy parts of the meal so your child will be equipped to make good choices later.

Teach your child the value of sleep. Lack of sleep makes us cranky, inhibits our ability to perform well academically, and contributes to overeating. Prioritize sleep and tuck kids in bed at least thirty minutes before you think they need to be asleep.

Teach your child how to handle stress. Teach your child how to handle emotionally difficult situations, showing them how to express needs, wants, expectations, anger, and regret calmly and coherently. Teach them the importance of relieving stress through hobbies, friends, exercise, and meditation.

Teach your child how to choose good friends. If your child is making poor choices, help them understand why these kids might not be so good for them, and introduce them to kids who are better for them. Support good friendships by inviting the child over and doing the legwork necessary to encourage time spent together.

Parenting isn’t easy, but it is rewarding. If you take these five habits seriously, you'll set your child up to live healthfully.