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By Cassidy Gibson-Cooper
As a parent, obviously you want to do everything you can to help your children grow up into well-adjusted adults. This starts with teaching them the basics from a young age, particularly when it comes to self-care so that they can grow up healthier and happier. From a well-rounded lifestyle with a strong social life to tackling your taxes, here are some key points to remember as you’re instilling practices that will be meaningful for your kids, now and in the future.
Lead by ExampleOne of the toughest challenges for parents is establishing the sense of responsibility it takes to accomplish tasks that aren’t exactly enjoyable. You can set a good example by being as responsible as possible, whether that means doing the laundry and sweeping the floors or making sure you have adequate health insurance and your taxes are filed on time – and keep a great attitude as you tick those tasks off your list. Showing how to manage these obligations is a great way to prepare your children for the future.
Quality Time for Family
You should be setting aside special quality time for your children so that you can help deposit these life lessons in them so that they remember them for years to come. However, finding the time to do so can be difficult if you have a full schedule as it is. But that’s not to say it’s totally impossible especially when you intentionally find ways to carve out some time for them during your day whether it be to plan a memorable activity with them or set aside time to tuck your kids into bed at night. Or it could be doing simple chores together where you can impart valuable life lessons to your child as you go about your daily duties. Gamify tasks like tidying their playroom. It’s a chance to not only keep up with the house but instill great life skills in your children.
Social Lives and School Friends Thankfully, adulting isn’t just about taxes and chores. Your kids will need social skills to have a happy and healthy life, and this is one of those aspects of life that we sometimes overlook. It's all too easy to lose track of your own social life, especially once you're a parent. People from your age group will likely have kids the same age, so take time to reconnect with old friends, maybe even schedule playdates for your kiddos. You can use an online tool to search for chums from area schools you’ve lost track of. It’s a chance to model positive behaviors for them, and you’ll reap a magnitude of benefits.
Personal Hygiene is a Key Point
Teaching your child the basics when it comes to personal hygiene is key if you want them to feel more confident within themselves and maintain good health. Furthermore, these are the types of habits that are likely to stay with them as they mature which then becomes even more crucial when they’re older because first impressions count even more in adulthood.
Encourage Them to Share Their Feelings
Encouraging your child to confide in you is vitally important, especially when they feel at their most vulnerable. Because it is only through open communication that you, as a parent, can gauge how they’re feeling and give them the help and advice they are looking for when they need it the most.
Exercise is EssentialExercise should be an essential component of your child’s day. If it’s not, then you should be encouraging your child to partake in at least sixty minutes of activity per day so that they grow up as strong and as fit as can be. This could be as simple as the family going to the park or walking instead of running errands in a car. Moreover, a healthy dose of exercise can help your child sleep better and can improve their concentration levels at school; in essence, exercise is essential for a healthy, happy childhood.
Practice GratitudeHappify.com notes that practicing gratitude is another one of those habits that is simple to do yet is profound enough to change a child’s life for the better as they learn to be grateful for what they do have instead of searching for something more and better to make them feel contented and more fulfilled.Participating in the ArtsParticipating in the arts, whether it’s dance, music, or arts and crafts, is an excellent way to help your child express themselves better. Mom Loves Best explains that there are countless benefits of doing art from enhancing their problem-solving abilities to helping them process the world around them better. From crafting with clay and crayons to playing dress up or getting creative in the kitchen, being creative is a way to allow your child to get in touch with their feelings and communicate in various positive ways.
Self-care is one of the most important things you can teach your children while they are still young enough to absorb these lessons fully. Encourage them to talk with you openly, establish an exercise routine, practice gratitude, and take time for them. Model a healthy social life by connecting with old school friends, and teach them basic hygiene and creative expression so they feel confident about themselves. With a solid foundation, your child will be prepared for a well-rounded, happy life.
By Cassidy Gibson-Cooper
As a parent, obviously you want to do everything you can to help your children grow up into well-adjusted adults. This starts with teaching them the basics from a young age, particularly when it comes to self-care so that they can grow up healthier and happier. From a well-rounded lifestyle with a strong social life to tackling your taxes, here are some key points to remember as you’re instilling practices that will be meaningful for your kids, now and in the future.
Lead by ExampleOne of the toughest challenges for parents is establishing the sense of responsibility it takes to accomplish tasks that aren’t exactly enjoyable. You can set a good example by being as responsible as possible, whether that means doing the laundry and sweeping the floors or making sure you have adequate health insurance and your taxes are filed on time – and keep a great attitude as you tick those tasks off your list. Showing how to manage these obligations is a great way to prepare your children for the future.
Quality Time for Family
You should be setting aside special quality time for your children so that you can help deposit these life lessons in them so that they remember them for years to come. However, finding the time to do so can be difficult if you have a full schedule as it is. But that’s not to say it’s totally impossible especially when you intentionally find ways to carve out some time for them during your day whether it be to plan a memorable activity with them or set aside time to tuck your kids into bed at night. Or it could be doing simple chores together where you can impart valuable life lessons to your child as you go about your daily duties. Gamify tasks like tidying their playroom. It’s a chance to not only keep up with the house but instill great life skills in your children.
Social Lives and School Friends Thankfully, adulting isn’t just about taxes and chores. Your kids will need social skills to have a happy and healthy life, and this is one of those aspects of life that we sometimes overlook. It's all too easy to lose track of your own social life, especially once you're a parent. People from your age group will likely have kids the same age, so take time to reconnect with old friends, maybe even schedule playdates for your kiddos. You can use an online tool to search for chums from area schools you’ve lost track of. It’s a chance to model positive behaviors for them, and you’ll reap a magnitude of benefits.
Personal Hygiene is a Key Point
Teaching your child the basics when it comes to personal hygiene is key if you want them to feel more confident within themselves and maintain good health. Furthermore, these are the types of habits that are likely to stay with them as they mature which then becomes even more crucial when they’re older because first impressions count even more in adulthood.
Encourage Them to Share Their Feelings
Encouraging your child to confide in you is vitally important, especially when they feel at their most vulnerable. Because it is only through open communication that you, as a parent, can gauge how they’re feeling and give them the help and advice they are looking for when they need it the most.
Exercise is EssentialExercise should be an essential component of your child’s day. If it’s not, then you should be encouraging your child to partake in at least sixty minutes of activity per day so that they grow up as strong and as fit as can be. This could be as simple as the family going to the park or walking instead of running errands in a car. Moreover, a healthy dose of exercise can help your child sleep better and can improve their concentration levels at school; in essence, exercise is essential for a healthy, happy childhood.
Practice GratitudeHappify.com notes that practicing gratitude is another one of those habits that is simple to do yet is profound enough to change a child’s life for the better as they learn to be grateful for what they do have instead of searching for something more and better to make them feel contented and more fulfilled.Participating in the ArtsParticipating in the arts, whether it’s dance, music, or arts and crafts, is an excellent way to help your child express themselves better. Mom Loves Best explains that there are countless benefits of doing art from enhancing their problem-solving abilities to helping them process the world around them better. From crafting with clay and crayons to playing dress up or getting creative in the kitchen, being creative is a way to allow your child to get in touch with their feelings and communicate in various positive ways.
Self-care is one of the most important things you can teach your children while they are still young enough to absorb these lessons fully. Encourage them to talk with you openly, establish an exercise routine, practice gratitude, and take time for them. Model a healthy social life by connecting with old school friends, and teach them basic hygiene and creative expression so they feel confident about themselves. With a solid foundation, your child will be prepared for a well-rounded, happy life.