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We live in a world where many children enter adolescence without the proper physical health needed to be productive and functional members of society. And it’s not because they have underlying health conditions – it’s because they’ve been raised in an environment where healthy living hasn’t been prioritized.
4 Steps Parents Can Take
If you want what’s best for your children, you need to focus on their health. This means leading by example, implementing healthy habits, and holding your children to these standards – even when it isn’t easy.
Wondering where to start? Here are a few practical rules and suggestions that you may not have thought about:
1. Prioritize Hydration
“Water makes up a greater proportion of a child’s body, and children have faster metabolisms, which means their systems need more water to run smoothly,” parent Maya Kukes points out. “You’ve heard ‘eight glasses a day’ for the average grown-up, but for kids there’s no magic number. The amount of water depends on a child’s weight and activity level; as those increase, so does the quantity needed.”
So many kids grow up drinking everything but water. If juice, milk, soda, and sports drinks account for more of your child’s liquid intake than water, you’re doing their little bodies a disservice. Not only are these drinks filled with sugar, additives, and empty calories, but they’re also expensive. Save some money and promote better health by teaching your children to drink water from an early age.
2. Don’t Shelter From Germs
Don’t be the parent who is constantly sheltering your kids from germs. You may think you’re keeping them healthy, but you’re actually hindering their developing immune systems.
Most parents operate under the assumption that all germs are bad when only some are bad. Most serve the purpose of stimulating and strengthening the immune system so that it can fight off the germs that are dangerous.
It’s okay to want a clean home, but don’t go overboard. Exposure to germs is a very necessary part of early childhood development.
“Sterilizing your home like a hospital could lead your child to have a severely hyper-sensitized immune system leaving them open to allergies and asthma, even neurodevelopmental problems,” says professor Jack Gilbert, director of the Microbiome Centre at the University of Chicago.
You obviously don’t want your children hanging around people who have the flu, stomach bug, or other illnesses, but trying to shield them from everyday germs isn’t always wise.
3. Start Dental Care Early
Most parents wait way too long to start dental care. Either they don’t think about it, or they just assume that everything will be fine, but it’s actually very important to a child’s long-term oral hygiene to begin dental care as soon as they start cutting teeth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that should be seen by the age of one. Many children get cavities as early as age two. If your child does have cavities, deal with them as soon as possible. If drilling isn’t an option, you may discuss silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatments with your dentist.
“SDF contains a combination of silver and fluoride, both of which have properties that can stall or prevent dental decay,” DentalSave explains. “Silver has antibacterial properties that protect teeth infections. Fluoride has the ability to remineralize tooth enamel that has become damaged.”
In addition to dentist visits, children should be taught the importance of oral hygiene and regular brushing (at least twice per day).
4. Cook Fresh Meals
It’s easy to pick up fast food or grab a frozen pizza from the supermarket, but you need to make it a priority to cook fresh meals for your children.
Not only does cooking fresh meals ensure your kids are getting the proper nutrition they need, but it also shows them that this is normal behavior. You’re setting an example.
Be the Parent Your Children Need
Your children will be influenced by someone. Either that someone is you, or it’s a person outside of the home. Assuming that you want to influence your kids, it’s imperative that you start thinking about the significance of healthy actions from an early age.
Be the parent your children need, not necessarily the parent they want. While this may cause some conflict in their adolescent years, they’ll eventually be grateful for the healthy head start you’ve provided them in life.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
