How Parents Can Pass On Healthy Habits To Their Kids

This is a guest post by Daniel at Dad Solo.

Kids often model the behavior of their parents, regardless of it being good or bad, and develop habits through observation and repetition. As a parent, the more good habits you follow yourself, the higher the chances your child will reciprocate it. So let's look at how you can teach your kids to adopt some healthy habits.

Reduce Caffeine Intake

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, consumption of caffeine should be restricted among children. Children are sensitive to caffeine, and its intake can lead to headaches, increase in blood pressure, and disturb their sleep cycle.

Here’s how you can work towards reducing caffeine consumption among your kid(s):

●     Pay close attention to their diet and make a note of their caffeine intake.

●     Start substituting fruit juices, water, and milk for carbonated drinks.

●     Make the change gradual as a sudden reduction in caffeine can have adverse effects on their mood.

●     Incorporate a healthy balanced diet to provide kids the energy needed for the day and overcome dependence on caffeine.

●     Lead by example and reduce your caffeine consumption as well. If you need your daily coffee, try drinking it when your kids are away or at the office.

Encourage Physical Activity

According to Kids Health, young kids and teenagers alike require at least an hour of intense physical activity daily. Additionally, these activities should be adult-led who should work towards inculcating the habit of exercising among their child. This can be achieved by:

●     Including kids in your exercise routine. Teach them simple body-weight exercises such as push-ups, squats, planks, etc. These help in developing strong bones and muscles in addition to a healthy body mass index.

●     At the end of your exercise session, go for a jog or cycle around your neighborhood. Aerobic exercises help increase stamina, improve cardiovascular health and develop strong motor skills among kids.

●     Sign up your child for a sport they like, such as football, baseball, basketball, etc. Participating in team sports combines the benefits mentioned above in addition to developing social skills, the ability to deal with stress, and learning discipline.

Develop a Culture of Working Hard

As a parent, it is your responsibility to help kids realize their strengths, weaknesses and advise them on their future plans. Whether your child aspires to join the arts, sciences, or be an entrepreneur, they will face challenges, and the best way to teach how to overcome them is by being a role model.

If you are facing challenges in your career, pursuing an online master’s degree is a viable option. While balancing your job and degree can be challenging, online classes allow you to learn at your own pace. When choosing a specialization, Information Technology should be at the top of your list as it's one of the prominent qualifications current employers are looking for and has a growing number of job openings.

Additionally, you will set a great example for your children, teaching them the value of time management and hard work for overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals.

Educate About Drug Use

As kids grow older, the influence of peer pressure starts growing stronger, which can lead to a temptation to experiment with drugs such as tobacco and alcohol. An effective way to counter this is to have an open dialogue about drugs with your children.

The first step is to create a safe space where your child can express themselves without the fear of being judged or punished. Next, instead of simply saying drugs are bad, educate them on the adverse health effects drugs can have. This can include breathing issues, vision problems, negative effects on their grades, etc. Additionally, provide them with reputed online resources and encourage them to do their own research.

Encourage your kids to take part in hobbies and other activities which help improve their self-esteem. Additionally, creating a positive family environment will motivate your child to voluntarily come forward with concerns and seek advice.

When it comes to teaching kids healthy habits, you as the parent need to take charge and set an example for them to follow.

What are some healthy habits you hope to pass on to your kids?