By Ashley Taylor of DisabledParents.org
Health and safety for your children require more work today than ever. Where health and safety once simply meant proper nutrition and good habits, modern life adds new layers of risk and need for protection. From the perils of substance abuse to online risks, children and teenagers are bombarded with potential problems. Minimizing these risks starts at home and requires planning and organizing for a healthy household.
Addressing the potential risks for children at home and in their lives requires taking a closer look at the different aspects of their overall well-being. Kids today have physical, emotional, social, and technological dimensions to their health.
Physical health concerns for children
Childhood obesity continues to plague our society, with increased diagnoses of so-called lifestyle diseases in children, such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. The culprits are poor diet and lack of activity.
In order to counter the risk of obesity, encourage healthy eating. Kids become picky eaters because they are given the option to reject food that they dislike and because they feel that there are alternatives. Of course a child is going to ask for a bowl of Goldfish Crackers as a meal if it’s an option. Introduce healthy meals to your entire family and discourage unhealthy snacking. Add fruit and nuts to lunches in lieu of processed, bagged snacks, and limit the availability of snacks at home.
Children have always had a difficult relationship with vegetables. Here are some tips to encourage them to eat more produce:
- Get them involved in the decision. Letting children choose vegetables teaches them about nature and the importance of making good choices. It also gets them invested in the process. Give them ownership of side-dish choices. Maybe they will surprise you with a delicious salad.
- Set a good example. If you are asking your kids to eat better, you should lead the way.
- Explore different healthy seasonings and preparation techniques. Your kids may dislike steamed cauliflower but crave it once it is roasted with herbs and seasonings.
Getting kids more active also plays a role in healthy eating. Exercise develops strong appetites that are not satisfied with candy and snacks. Running all day on the soccer field is going to require fuel in the form of protein and healthy carbohydrates. Make sure to reward exercise with good food choices. While occasional treats can fit into a healthy lifestyle, getting an ice cream cone after school each day is going to set your children up for dietary issues in adulthood.
Dial back the tech
Kids spend an inordinate amount of time with technology, and their screen time takes away from exercise and active play and can even encourage poor eating. The stereotype of a gamer munching on chips and downing energy drinks is a reality for many children. The caffeine in these beverages is harmful to youth, but the lack of physical activity is equally nefarious.
In addition to harming physical health through inactivity and unhealthy associated habits, technology can expose children to inappropriate content and potential for online bullying. Although there are many positive aspects of technology, you can limit and monitor smartphone use to reduce risks. If you’re particularly concerned, you may want to consider hiring a computer specialist to ensure your device is secure with today’s most advanced safeguards. These will protect your family from accessing dangerous and inappropriate websites, falling victim to scams, and meeting online predators.
Reduce potential for substance abuse
While technology addiction is growing, the risk of substance addiction is still present. It is never too early to teach your children about the dangers of substances. If you drink, explain responsible consumption to your children, and keep your liquor cabinet locked and monitored. Speak to your children about the dangers of drugs and encourage them to ask questions and have an open, ongoing dialogue.
Make the house physically safe
Beyond healthy eating, activity, moderated technology use, and explaining addiction, children of all ages need a safe and secure home environment. Assess all the potential dangers in your home, from medications, cleaning chemicals, and tools, and take steps to limit access or accidental use by your kids.
By creating a safe home and addressing your children’s overall well-being, you will prepare them for a healthy life well beyond their youth.
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