Positive Parenting: How to Set an Example of Healthy Living for Your Children

As a parent, you offer the most influence to your children. They will see everything that you do in life from working to taking care of the house. Your children will also see the ways that you keep your body healthy by eating the right foods and exercising on a regular basis. If you don’t live a healthy life, then your children will likely think that they don’t need to take care of their bodies, either. They will see that it’s alright to let the body go and not provide the proper nutrition. If you’re overweight or have health problems, then these issues will be seen by your children. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to set an example for your children so that they understand the importance of being healthy.

Eat Right

One of the easiest things that you can do is to eat the right foods. From fruits and vegetables to wheat breads and whole wheat pastas, make the good decisions about what you eat. Prepare meals for the family that include these healthy ingredients so that they won’t be tempted to eat other foods that aren’t as healthy. Avoid getting junk food and sodas at the store. If it’s not in the house, then you and your children won’t be tempted to eat those foods. It’s alright to have a treat once in a while, but your kids need to know that it’s just a treat and that the body needs vitamins and nutrients in order to fight off illnesses and to keep the body operating as it should.

Fun Activities

Take part in a few fun physical activities with the family. It could be something as simple as riding a bike around the neighborhood. Look in the community to see if there are any extracurricular activities that the family can get involved with. Most cities have a YMCA or another type of recreation center that offers everything from sports teams to swimming. Although swimming is a pretty fun activity that nearly everyone enjoys, it’s very important for your children to learn how to swim—and you as well if you don’t know how to swim. Who knows, you may need to know how to swim in an emergency situations one day. Don’t focus too much on that, though, just the fun of splashing around and seeing your children explore their independence in the water.

Limit Electronics

All of the electronics that you have in your home take away from being active and getting fresh air. Limit the amount of screen time that you and the rest of the family spend on phones, video games, television and the computer. Set aside some time to play a board game together or to prepare a meal with each other. Make time to go outside and play a game or to take a walk. If you are on your electronics all the time, then the family will think that you’re too concerned about what you’re doing and will do the same things. If necessary, cut the internet off for a certain period of time in the house or change the cable package that you have so that there aren’t channels to watch.

Daily Habits

From getting enough sleep to brushing your teeth every day, you want your children to see that it’s important to take care of the body. Go to the dentist when scheduled, and visit the doctor to get regular check-ups. If your children see that you are caring for the body, then they will do the same thing. Show children that soap will cleanse the skin and that it’s important to wash dirty clothes to get the dirt and bacteria removed from them.

Living a healthy life may not always be easy, but if you’re children see you living healthy, then they will want to do so as well. Take the time to teach and learn from your family as they probably have ideas about how the whole family can be healthier.