Inculcating healthy habits in kids is of paramount importance. This is necessarily so in the face of childhood obesity and increased exposure to television and electronic gadgets. As parents get busier and preoccupied, they start giving in to unreasonable demands like excessive junk food intake and less physical activity. It is time to work towards the wellbeing and health of our kids. Healthy habits imbibed in childhood will hold them in good stead for life. As a mom of two sons, I am always striving to do my best to raise them with healthy habits.
Here are five tips that can help keep our kids healthy:
- Encourage physical activity:
An important mantra of parenting is practicing what we preach. Physically active parents often have physically active children. So, find time to ride bikes with your kids, run, jog, walk or play games. Children love playing in the park. Encourage them to play with other children. Evenings must be spent outdoors. Make sure you kindle in them a love for sports and outdoor activity. Make exercise fun and not a chore. It will keep them physically fit through their lives. Also, limit the time they spend on the computer, on gadgets and in playing video games.
- Promote good habits:
Be a good role model for your kids. After all, they learn so much by just observing you. Eat meals together at the dining table sharing anecdotes after switching off the television. Read books together to whet their appetite for reading. Encourage them to do chores around the house. Teach them good personal hygiene like hand washing, personal grooming etc. Adopt good habits yourself so that they will learn them too by the virtue of mimicking you.
- Eat healthy:
Kids must be told about the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables. Stock your dining table with fresh fruit. Encourage them to drink lots of water. Restrict junk food like pizza, chips and cola to once or twice a week. If possible, buy healthy snacks and biscuits. Experiment with your cooking and presentation to serve healthy food in kid-friendly ways. Involve kids while cooking. It helps them in loving food and its preparation. Encourage them to understand the important of eating fresh, healthy, home cooked food.
- Connect with your children:
Stay actively engaged with your children. Nurture communication channels so that the child feels comfortable in sharing and talking to you. Spend quality time together every day. This will help both of you build stronger bonds. Allow them to share their problems and views. While a parent needs to set deadlines and discipline the children, it is important that the children don’t feel resentful. Talking and open communication goes a long way in cementing relationships and making kids self-assured and confident.
- Encourage rest:
A child needs adequate rest to feel happy and grow optimally. Experts recommend specific number of hours of sleep for each child every day. Ensure that your child gets the same. Fix bedtime daily especially on school days. Have a nice routine around bedtime like a warm bath and a story that makes them look forward to it. You can allow them some leeway during weekends and holidays. This helps them evolve healthy routines for themselves.
Follow these tips to raise healthy and happy kids. In this quest for wellness, Chemmart Pharmacy is your partner with well- crafted health solutions.
Rachna says 
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