Children are the reflection of how they are raised by their parents. Everything that a child learns always start from home. Be it the habits, lifestyle, personality, likes and dislikes as well as the outlook in life, all of those things are learned by children from their parents.
Imposing a healthy lifestyle is challenging for parents especially now that there are so many distractions everywhere. Those distractions contribute to the lifestyle that a child has developed.
Digital Detox. This type of detox is about limiting the child from gadgets, internet, television, and other digital tools which affects their focus. Children must be engaged in different physical abilities which includes playing with friends, siblings or parents, arts making, reading, and other fun activities which must a child must be engaged with.
When a child is exposed in gadgets at such a young age, his mental development is affected. A study shows that a child must only engage in gadgets as early as two years old with limited time or the best option is to not engage a child in it at all.
It's a wrong thing to give the gadget to the child so he will stop crying. It's a wrong habit to give the gadget in order to make the child behave. It's a wrong thing to allow the gadgets to teach the child what he has to learn. The one in control must be the parents and not the kids who has an episode of tantrums.
Children must engage themselves in the real world and not on the online world. This is a way to protect the child from online predators and other harms of social media.
There was this four year old child who tried to imitate the video she watched on Tiktok. It was when a boy wrapped his neck with a rope connected to the ceiling. He jumped then he turned into a ghost. The child wanting to try the same trick did the challenge using the rope of their blinders. The mom was shocked when she saw her daughter entangled with the blinders and was having a hard time to breathe. She immediately rushed to her daughter and saw her neck with the marks of the blinders. It was all because a child as early as four years old uses a gadget and engages in a social media platform thinking that everything she watch is okay.
Another thing is when children exhibit unruly behavior for being disciplined about too much time on gadgets. Not everything they watch and see are helpful to them. Most of the time is causes them harm and danger.
The music they listen to also has an impact to them. Whenever they hear a song, they easily pick up the melody, tune and it's lyrics. If the songs they listen to are adult songs with inappropriate meaning it's harmful to them because it contributes to the kids learning what is right from what is wrong.
My parents listen to this song so it's okay if I listen to it and sing along as well.
It's a parental duty to take time in bond with your kids. Moments shared by parents and children are what makes a childhood more memorable and it creates a stronger relationship between the parents and their children.
For teens, you can allow your children to surrender their gadgets willingly by explaining why you do it. It's important to make your kids understand why you do a specific act so they won't create a wrong notion about it. If they can't find answers from you, they'll surely look for the answers form other resources. You can also turn off your wife connection and turn it on whenever necessary.
Discipline must be imposed in a strict but kind manner. No bargaining. You must be firm with your decisions.
Time of sleep. As much as possible, kids must sleep eight hours plus the nap time every afternoon. It's what their body needs in order for it to properly grow.
This is not a problem for kids at least 11 years old and below but it is a big deal for children 12 years old and above as well as the teenagers. They find satisfaction in sleeping late and waking up at noon time.
They must be reprimanded for it, for if not they'll surely reap the consequences of their actions when they grow older. It hinders them from being active and healthy in what they do in life.
They must learns how to value sleep as early as now.
Eating healthy Foods. Many kids don't like eating vegetables. They'd like to eat meat, especially fried chicken or fast food takeouts. They also indulge themselves in candies or other sweets.
A child must be trained on what to eat at an early age. Parents must be the best example for the kids. You must be the one your kids will.have to look up to and not someone else.
Kids must have the go, grow, and glow food in their daily meal. It boosts their immune system which makes them not vulnerable to different diseases, especially that there is an ongoing pandemic.
Parents must also learn how to make a food plate more appealing to your kids. It's not just about the food but the presentation as well.
There was this episode in Peppa Pig when her little brother George doesn't like to eat vegetables but their grandpa decided to make the vegetables look like a dinosaur since it's George's favorite animal. George ate it happily forgetting that it was the vegetables he despise to eat. You see it isn't always about having your way in everything but it's more of making things easier for you and your kids.
Exercise. You can't keep a child healthy by just giving him food and vitamins. He also needs exercise. If possible, family exercise is one of the best things. It's not just healthy physically but mentally as well. You were able to strengthen your body as well as your bond and relationship with your kids.
It's not just about doing your duties as parents. It's about developing your child into the better version of themselves and strengthening your bond with them. I don't think you will want to one day just wake up and find your kids distant to you. It's always more than that.
Building relationships. A healthy lifestyle isn't just about the physical aspect but the mental aspect as well.
The relationships I'm talking about are parents to their children. Kids to their siblings. Kids to other kids. Kids to relatives. Kids to elders. Kids to their teachers and other helpful societal relationship which will help them.in developing themselves for the better.
They need to know the fact that they are never alone, they are always loved and there are many people who look after them.
Mental health. Allow your kids to share every single thing they want to share to you. It's the first step towards monitoring your child's needs. It starts with a cute story down to a more serious matter.
You are supposed to be the best friend of your kids where they won't have second thoughts about sharing the problems they have. This is also to prevent unwanted happenings to them. Thai is to ensure that your children are always protected and away from danger.
Be a family of transparency. Be a family to each other. Always remember that mental health is as important as physical health.
Love_16
January 17, 2021
Sunday
