Practical Parenting

Keeping Children Entertained

The summer months are often a good time to catch up with your children and to spend much more time with them. Although there are many things that you can do together, August can seem to drag on and children may begin to get bored. This is especially the case if you are working and children are spending excessive time at daycare or with babysitters. Here are some things you can do on a day-to-day basis during August to keep your sanity and to keep them entertained:

1. Have a movie night. Select a day of the week as your designated "movie night" and make a trip to the local video store to choose a video. Talk about videos that are appropriate and take this opportunity to have a discussion with your children about why some movies may not be appropriate. Parents are quick to reject a movie their children may have chosen without explaining why. Children appreciate being told why their choice was rejected.

2. Play a board game every night. Invest in a number of different board games. Not only will these keep your children entertained, but they are a great way for your children to have fun and learn new skills. Examples of good board games include, for example, Monopoly, Checkers, and Scrabble.

3. Make it a habit to read together. You may read to your child or have your child read to you. After your reading session together, you can encourage your child to choose a book to read/browse independently as you read your book. Not only will this be a great opportunity for you to have some time to read, but it will be a great example for your children.

4. Go to the park. Give your children many opportunities to run around. Physical activity is not only important for their growing bodies, but it will also be a great way for children to have lots of fun.

Have fun!

Nutrition for Children

Parents often engage in an endless battle to help their children eat nutritiously. Many complain that their children just won't eat good foods like fruits and vegetables and that they (parents) have no choice but to give in. I have no doubt in my mind that parents understand the importance of proper nutrition for growing children, but I realize that there are only so many hours in a day and children must be fed. So what to do?

In one of Oprah's recent shows, she interviewed Jerry Seinfeld's wife about a book she wrote called "Deceptively Delicious." In this book, she explains how she uses vegetable purees in everything she makes. For example, she shared that her children love to eat scrambled eggs for breakfast and so she mixes in cauliflower puree with the eggs and her children have no idea. There are many other neat ideas in her book and you may consider getting it if you face the food battle in your home.

From what I have discovered, the bottom line with children is to really get creative with the foods you serve. Try to "hide" a lot of the good foods in what you serve. It also helps to reward children for good eating by giving them dessert after, for example, they've eaten all their veges. It's no surprise that there are countless adults who don't eat their fruits and veges so you can't really blame the children. Therefore, it also becomes important to be good role models for them. Eat your fruits and veges in front of them and talk to them about why it's so important to eat healthy foods. I have realized that children appreciate being told why they need to do something rather than being told just to do it.

Have fun and eat well! If you need a little help, pick up the "Deceptively Delicious" book by Jessica Seinfeld. It's available at Chapters for about $20.

Keenjal

Children also need to exercise!

There is no shortage of information on the need for adults to maintain a healthy diet and to exercise regularly. Every news article I've ever read on maintaining good health has some reference to exercising in it. However, I have come to realize that many parents are often unaware of the critical need for them to give their children opportunities to exercise and to get their heart rates up. As a result, there are far more children who are overweight today and, in the United States for example, the obesity rate among children has quadrupled in the last few decades. 

It is important to understand that there are many benefits for children when exercise is a part of their daily routine. Some of these benefits include:

1. Exercise increases children's energy levels.

2. Exercise prevents children from becoming overweight.

3. Exercise helps children build strong bones, muscles, and joints.

4. Exercise helps children feel less stressed and it helps them sleep better at night.

Fortunately, getting children to exercise is not as difficult a process as getting adults to exercise. Children enjoy running around, jumping, climbing equipment, and just moving. Therefore, incorporating exercise into your child's day can be quite easy and fun. A simple trip to the park can do it. The following are some ways you can increase physical activity in your children's lives: 

1. Set an example. When children see you exercising, they will be more likely to want to exercise themselves.

2. Limit the amount of time they spend watching television or on the computer. Encourage them to meet with their friends and play in the backyard instead. If it cold outside, just bundle them up nicely.

3. Establish a routine so that exercise is a part of their day everyday.

4. Enroll your children in organized sports activities. Your local community center is a great place to enroll your children in soccer, swimming, and other activities.

5. Mix it up and have fun!