HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Parenting

  • The Importance Of Chores

    FAMILY LIFE

    Child holding a load of clothes in her arms.

    Children are often more capable than we realize. Presenting children with age-appropriate challenges and responsibilities is how parents help them grow. Helping out around the house is the perfect training ground to help prepare your kids for life.

    Getting started

    *  Talk to your child about what it means to be responsible. Explain their new duties as a way they help the family and learn skills they will need for their whole life.

    *  Create a visual schedule or chore chart.

    *  Discuss being consistent and reliable.

    *  If appropriate, lay out consequences for neglecting chores.

    *  As a parent, be consistent with your expectations.

    *  The younger the child, the more guidance they will need, especially in the beginning. Do chores with them at first until they have enough skill and confidence.

    Age-appropriate chores

    Toddlers (2-3)

    Toddlers are eager helpers and love to do what you are doing. They will need lots of hands-on guidance, but it’s worth the effort.

    *  Pick up toys

    *  Wipe up spills

    *  Put laundry in the hamper

    *  Fill up a pet’s food bowl

    Preschoolers (4-5)

    At this age, more independence may develop as your child gains more motor control and has a better memory.

    *  Clear the table

    *  Make their bed

    *  Water plants

    *  Sort laundry

    *  Use a handheld vacuum to clean

    Primary schoolers (6-9)

    This is the age to reinforce independence and consistency with chore expectations. Your child may begin to push back a bit, but stay firm.

    *  Clean their room

    *  Wash dishes

    *  Vacuum, sweep, or mop

    *  Help with meal prep

    *  Rake or pull weeds

    Middle schoolers (10-13)

    By middle school, your child can truly help with tasks around the house and should have the ability to do a variety of chores.

    *  Do laundry

    *  Take out trash

    *  Load and unload the dishwasher

    *  Wash the car

    *  Make their lunch

    High-schoolers (14+)

    Moving toward adulthood, now is the time to make tasks more challenging and ensure they have the necessary skills.

    *  Mow the lawn

    *  Prepare a meal

    *  Care for siblings

    *  Help with deep cleaning

    *  Iron and mend clothes

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Weekly Family Meetings

    FAMILY LIFE

    Young family smiling and laughing togething.

    A weekly family meeting is a time to be together, check in, and address any issues that arise.

    *  Make the meeting fun: Plan a special dessert to enjoy. Create a relaxed mood with special lighting or comfy pillows.

    *  Have an agenda: While you don’t want the meeting to be too formal, you should have a schedule to keep you on task.

    *  Get everyone involved: Let people take turns leading discussions. Encourage input and prioritize creative problem-solving.

    *  Set a respectful tone: This is a good time to practice resolving conflict with respect and consideration.

    *  End on a good note: If a tough topic needed to be addressed, be sure to end with something positive. Talk about fun upcoming events or brainstorm vacation ideas.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Dealing With Family Arguments

    FAMILY LIFE

    Mother comforting her young son who's upset.

    It’s normal to have arguments with your children and spouse. Children learn to voice their opinions through their family first. And all close relationships have disagreements sometimes.

    But arguments don’t have to be hurtful.

    Handle disagreements in a positive way:

    *Pick your battles:Don’t fight over every disagreement. Decide if small things are worth an argument. Walk away from an argument when it’s not an important matter.

    *Be open.Try to see others’ point of view. Stop and listen to what they’re saying and really consider it before responding.

    *Set boundaries.Arguments should not include name calling, insults or disrespect. Try to avoid shouting, too. If things get heated, take a break and say you’ll discuss it later when everyone feels calmer.

    *Look at root causes.Are you arguing with the same person all the time? Or are you having the same argument with multiple people? Think about why this is happening, and what you can do to stop having these conflicts. Consider this preventive care for your relationships.

    *Remember that you’re an example.Children see how parents argue. Think about how you would want them to handle a disagreement, and try to model that behavior.

    Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How To Teach Children Gratitude

    FAMILY LIFE

    Young child hugging mother.

    Children may often want every new toy and thing they see. But you can help teach them gratitude with these tips:

    1.Make getting things a surprise.This helps kids see something as a gift, not an entitlement. For instance, “surprise” them with a trip to the park or their favorite dessert on special occasions.

    2.Be careful with choices.Allowing children to choose something big, such as a vacation destination, will make them think they can get whatever they want. Instead, the adults can choose the vacation plans and present it as a surprise.

    3.Talk about what made them happy each day.This teaches kids to be thankful for good things. It can be as simple as playing at recess, seeing a friend or enjoying what they ate for lunch.

    4.Serve others as a family.Community charity programs such as working at a food bank are a great way for kids to see how much they have. Also, do smaller things like bring meals to neighbors who are going through a hard time.

    5.Show them how to be positive.Being demanding, whiny or jealous quickly turns into being ungrateful for what they have. You can point out positives in nearly any situation to teach them how to find it themselves. “It’s really hot today, but I’m so glad we have cold water to drink” is a great example.

    6.Insist on saying “please” and “thank you.”Give them positive reinforcement every time they use these words. This helps to teach them the importance of showing  gratitude and respect for other people.

    7.Give them chores to do.Yes, kids are busy, but simple things like putting away their clothes, helping with dishes and picking up their toys are valuable lessons. Chores teach kids that it takes work to keep up a household and that they should contribute. Even five to 10 minutes of chores a day is helpful.

    8.Consider gifts of “experiences” instead of “things.”Not sure what to get them because they already have so much? How about tickets to a movie or show? Or a trip to a water park for a day? Chances are, they will remember those fun experiences far longer than any toy or gadget.

    Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Positive Parenting Hacks

    FAMILY LIFE

    Parents with son, smile.

    Don’t focus on mistakes or bad behavior. Catch your child doing good things and point them out.

    Chores don’t have to be a punishment. Chores at home can help children learn life skills and independence.

    Spend a little time connecting each day. Take a few minutes to talk to your child without phones or screens.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Preparing For College Move-In

    FAMILY LIFE

    Female college student carring in a full bin of stuff.

    It’s time to send your young adult off for their first semester of college. Here are some tips to be sure they’re ready for move-in day.

    *Pack light.Only pack the basics you know they will use and plan to order additional items when needed.

    *Bring cleaning supplies.Have them handy when you first arrive.

    *Limit who helps with the move.College move-in can be chaotic, and the fewer people, the better.

    *Pack seasonally.Your college student won’t need a winter coat in August. Use vacuum seal bags for items that will be needed later.

    *Find the nearest drugstore, grocery store, and restaurants.Make sure your student knows how to access transportation to get there.

    *Bring lots of snacks.Move-in day can be physically as well as emotionally taxing. Make sure everyone stays well hydrated and fed so you can enjoy the day together.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Solve The Homework Hassle

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of father helping son with homework.

    Do you dread those long nights of homework hassle-for parents and students? Homework does not have to be a time of great stress for families, according to Paula Kramer, chair and professor of occupational therapy at University of the Sciences. Dr. Kramer suggests the following ways to help avoid arguments over turning off the TV and hitting the books:

    *  Come to an understanding with your child that homework is a necessity-and must be done every day.

    *  Communicate (in person and by email) with the teachers and find out how much time the student is expected to devote to homework each night. Setting expectations and time limits will make the child more productive.

    *  Allow for active playtime before homework. If the child does not have an after-school activity such as a sport or dance class, provide 45 minutes to an hour for the child to engage in active behavior prior to homework. The physical activity will help the child burn off energy, settle the nervous system, and refocus mentally for homework.

    *  Create a designated area for homework and studying-desk in a bedroom or the kitchen table. Just keep the homework spot the same, quiet, and free from distractions.

    *  Create charts to track homework progress. The chart will not only set a schedule that visibly shows that homework needs to be done every night, but will also allow the child to track progress. Rewards can be given for homework completed successfully a few nights in a row.

    *  Use positive praise to encourage good homework and study habits.

    *  Be a role model for the child. School cannot teach everything. Responsibility for successful behavior also lies at home. Parents need to take an active role in their child’s education and should check in on the child during homework to make sure it is completed properly.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Choosing A Family Pet

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of Hispanic family with a pet dog.

    Pets aren’t just for kids. Owning a pet can improve your family’s health in many ways, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC). Pets can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and offer companionship to all members of your household. Before you choose one, think about these factors.

    All pets need daily care.They need attention, food, and a place to sleep. Dogs need to be walked and taken outside daily. Cats need a clean litter box. Veterinary visits and vaccines are important. Look into the pet you want, and make sure you’re ready to do everything it takes to keep the pet healthy. It’s a daily commitment that you’ll need to stick with for many years.

    Make sure everyone in the family is ready.Caring for a pet is best done with everyone’s help. Are your kids ready to help feed a dog and walk it? Are the parents ready for veterinary costs, cleaning up after the pet, and arranging for pet care during vacations?

    With certain reptiles, small animals and birds, proper hygiene is very important.Some pets, such as birds, reptiles and amphibians, can spread illness to humans. Visitwww.cdc.gov/healthypetsfor information about preventing illness.

    As long as you carefully consider all the care your pet will need, you can make an informed choice about your next furry friend.

    Source: American Humane Association

    A heart for dogs

    One study looked at 421 adults who’d had heart attacks. A year later, dog owners were much more likely to still be alive than were those who did not own dogs, regardless of the severity of the heart attack.

    Source: National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Stepping Into The Stepparent Role

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of husband and wife and two children.

    Stepfamilies face unique challenges and situations, especially when the family is newly blended. If you’re just getting to know your new stepfamily, it may take some time for everyone to feel comfortable with the new situation, says the National Stepfamily Resource Center. The organization offers this advice for new stepparents:

    *Understand that bonding takes time.Children of any age may need to get used to their new family. Try not to get discouraged if things don’t go smoothly right away.

    *Communication is key.All families need good communication. This means listening to each other and addressing problems and arguments calmly and directly.

    *Show interest in your stepchildren.Attend their activities, listen to their opinions, and ask them specific questions about their day. Try new family activities together such as walks in the park, bike rides, or something everyone will enjoy.

    *Use compromise to solve problems.Don’t use a “my way or the highway” approach, or the stepchild may become distant or show difficult behavior.

    *See a family counselor or therapistif you need extra help.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Choosing Quality Child Care

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of Asian baby.

    Today, more children than ever live in households where both parents work. As a result, child care is a necessity for many families. You can make an informed choice with a little homework and preparation.

    First, think about the type of care you’d like.

    In general, your choices will include daycare centers, family child care homes and in-home care like a nanny, babysitter or au pair. There is no right or wrong answer, and no one option works for everyone. Consider your and your child’s personalities, as well as the cost of each choice.

    See it for yourself.

    If you’re considering a child care center or family home, ask about coming in for a visit. Seeing the environment yourself can often give you a better feel for the caregivers and the atmosphere. Do the children get constant supervision? Do they receive positive discipline?

    Look at group size.

    Each state has required caregiver/child ratios. See if you’re comfortable with the size of the group and ask about their typical ratios. Infants need one caregiver per four children at a minimum. The ratios get higher as the children get older.

    If you’re looking for a nanny or au pair, prepare for interviews.

    You should talk with each candidate to get a feel for their personality, child care philosophy and their training and education. You may wish to write a list of questions in advance, and take notes during each interview so you can refer to them later.

    Check health and safety guidelines.

    Caregivers should be up-to-date on CPR certifications. Ask about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and childproofing all areas for safety.

    Discuss illness prevention.

    Find out whether policies are in place to prevent the spread of illness. This may include requiring children to be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to care, as well as other policies on specific symptoms and illnesses. Caregivers should thoroughly wash their hands after each diaper change  or using the bathroom, and before  preparing any food.

    The ultimate goal for any child care is to find one that keeps your child safe, healthy and happy.

    Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Aware

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine