A parent’s job with a new baby is challenging from the start. Parents make hundreds of choices about their child’s health and well-being every day, in the midst of diapers and eating — and then, backpacks and school. But one thing is certain: as a parent, you have much more influence over your child’s health than you can realize. And that influence will go far beyond the typical 18 years your child would spend at home.
To learn more about the best ways parents can improve their child’s health, read the following tips to Changing your child’s future.
1. Promote Positive Habits
Aim for balance and openness when it comes to food and mealtimes. To encourage participation, include your children in meal planning, shopping, and preparing. Feeding attitudes should be fair. And you should create a warm and open family environment at mealtimes. The same goes for physical activity. Ensure the children understand that they are a part of the team and that fitness is a family matter. Let your child choose a family activity on a rotating basis.
2. Move To The Best Neighborhood You Can Afford
Moving to a neighborhood with excellent schools, more career opportunities, and the ability to grow up with peers who value education, hard work, and success is the best decision parents can make for their children. It’s worth noting that you don’t even have to be rich to make this happen.
While it is controversial, research has shown that moving to a new neighborhood is a better investment than tutoring and extracurricular activities such as piano lessons.
Buying a home in a safe and respected neighborhood is one of the most valuable things you will do for changing your child’s future. There is conflicting evidence about whether buying all of these extras is beneficial. However, investing in a great neighborhood has many benefits.
Some advice buying the cheapest house in the best neighborhood, but this can backfire. If you do not have the money to buy a house in a wealthy neighborhood, look for family-friendly neighborhoods.
3. Strive for 5!
A child only needs 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Fruits and vegetables provide vital nutrients for development. And children who eat a well-balanced diet are less likely to become ill or overweight later in life. If you have a fussy eater, try creative recipes, and arrange food in the shape of cartoon characters to make it more attractive. And don’t give up on including various foods into their diet. Persistence reaps the rewards when your children begin to enjoy eating a range of foods.
4. Knowledge Is Power
It is never too early to begin teaching and inspiring your children. Teach them how to make good eating decisions on their own. Make it a game when you go grocery shopping by ‘hunting’ for whole-grain bread; heck, I like to play that game sometimes. Reading to your kid is also one of the best things you can do to help him or her develop language skills and word awareness. Reading allows children to bond while still improving listening and improving their memory for changing your child’s future. Finally, bring them to the world of libraries. They not only have school holiday programs, but they also have a unique opportunity for children to become interested in subjects you may not have thought of.
5. Become A Happier and Less Stressed Person Yourself
Adults thrive in business when they are happy and less depressed, according to research. The same can be said for parenting. According to research, happier parents are more likely to have happy children. If the parents can not take care of themselves and their relationships, the children suffer.
According to Bowling Green State University sociologist Kei Nomaguchi’s research, mothers’ stress, especially when mothers are stressed due to balancing work and trying to spend time with their children, may have a negative impact on their children. Emotions are contagious.
If you are unhappy and depressed, your children can catch those emotions like a cold.
6. Make Them Do Chores
Parents should always give their children chores while growing up. For example, mowing the lawn, cleaning out the trash, washing dishes, walking the dog, or folding laundry. It taught the child the importance of hard work and working together to complete tasks – one of the children washed the dishes while another dried them. Most importantly, it taught your child a sense of responsibility.
7. Teach Your Children To Express Their Feelings
When children are upset, many shut down because they think negative emotions are bad and shameful. When you encourage your children to explore and express their emotions, they learn that difficult feelings are normal and healthy. As a result, they develop emotional intelligence and good social skills. By equipping them to recognize and deal with what they are feeling, they increase their self-esteem and build stronger friendships.
8. Help Them Build Meaningful Relationships
Strong relationships are important for changing your child’s future. Children who do not have meaningful relationships perform poorly in education, are more likely to get into trouble with the law and are more likely to have psychiatric problems.
Playdates and participation in events that your children love will help them develop healthy and strong relationships. Develop their Emotional Intelligence and teach them how to control their feelings and resolve conflicts.
9. Create A Healthy Smile
Cavity-free teeth are just another aspect of good dental and oral health. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood condition. If left untreated, tooth decay can cause difficulties speaking and learning. Fluoride has been shown to almost eliminate tooth decay in young children. Each of your children’s semiannual cleanings included a fluoride treatment. If your tap water lacks fluoride, consult your dentist for alternative fluoride sources.
10. Teach Them To Be All-Around Healthy
Healthy habits are important for changing your child’s future. Set limits that encourage your children to get enough sleep, eat healthily and stay healthy. For e.g., don’t let them sit inside all day watching videos. Encourage them to play outdoors. Instead of focusing on their appearance, teach them the health benefits of taking care of themselves or complaining about how guilty you felt after buying fast food for them. Make nutritious meals together, go on family bike trips, or set aside time to write in your gratitude journals to teach good habits.
11. Build Resilience
One of the most important qualities to develop in children is resilience. The ability to learn from mistakes and accept feedback, be persistent, and not give up quickly will all contribute to children’s positive well-being. Parents and educators can help children bounce back and move past mistakes and challenges by modeling these qualities yourself. One of the most effective ways to maintain a healthy mental state is to let go.
The Bottom Line
When we repeat thoughts and behaviors over and over, our brains are designed to change.
Imagine you and your child making a snow angel. Slowly, the repeated motions groove deeper and deeper into the snow, creating a beautiful angel shape. Our brains work in a similar way. If your child practices negative thoughts, he or she will become very good at something harmful to their well-being. It takes practice to change negative thought patterns. Instead, encourage them to focus on the positive. They will eventually gravitate toward positive thoughts and start to feel happier.
