Teach Your Children To Establish Sleeping Habits

Establishing a pre-bedtime routine is a good habit for you and your kids. This routine might include some quiet time for reading or some other relaxing, non-technology related activity. Getting a sufficient amount of sleep each night is part of a healthy lifestyle, and as your kids get older, they will see the value of sleep. Growing kids need plenty of sleep, so even as your children become teens, try to enforce some rules, even if you don’t have a strict “bedtime” per say.

Changing into pajamas, brushing teeth, perhaps some reading before bed, are all things your kids can do every night. Once they get into a routine, they’ll be able to fall asleep easily and get good rest. Going to bed at the same time every night will also help to create a healthy, established sleeping pattern.

Taking Responsibility For Your Health

You also need to show your kids the ropes when it comes to being in charge of their own health, especially as they grow into teenagers. Educate your kids on the importance of personal hygiene and teach them about deodorant, shaving, and showering regularly—once your kids reach a certain age, they might not realize that no one is going to tell them to brush their teeth or take a shower, they need to do it on their own. Another part of staying healthy is having annual check-ups, regular dental appointments, and seeing a doctor when any abnormal issues arise.

This way, they learn the responsibility of setting an appointment, marking it on your calendar, and remembering to make a follow-up appointment for the future. It’s never too early to teach your kids responsibility, especially when it comes to their own health. You don’t want your child to get to college and not know the first thing about making a doctor’s appointment when they get sick. Teach them the necessary skills now that will help them maintain their health in the future.

Exercise 

Being active is an important element of staying healthy, as mentioned above. However, being “active” and exercising isn’t always the same thing. Being outdoors and getting off the couch is necessary for a healthy lifestyle, but you also need to have a semi-regular exercise routine that gets your heart pumping and builds strong muscles. Enroll in a yoga class, aerobics class or exercise program that allows your kids to be active participants. Seeing you commit to an exercise program can be inspiring to them. Everyone’s body is different, so every individual person prefers and enjoys different forms of exercise. You don’t have to be a fitness maniac—just display the importance of exercise to your kids, and show them that it can be fun. Whether you run marathons, or just use a pilates DVD at home, make sure your kids see you exercising, because it will become a normal part of their lives as they get older. If it’s tough to drag your kids away from video games to get them active, consider playing Wii Fit games together to get the blood pumping while doing an activity that will hold the kids’ interest.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle requires a commitment. It likely involves some changes in your family's eating habits and in how they spend their leisure time. Once you set the example for eating well, exercising and respecting the need for sufficient sleep, your kids will have a role model to follow. You can be the inspiration they need to make healthy choices in life, so start setting a good example today!