Raising Well-Rounded, Healthy Children

As Moms, we have several important jobs for our children.  You are a chef, a maid, a friend, an authority, an encyclopedia of information and teacher, and a worry wart.  I am sure that all of you Moms reading this will think of things I missed… as the list is almost endless.  However, my point in listing all these is that regardless of how many jobs you really hold as a parent, they can all be encompassed into one:  your job as a parent is to keep your children well rounded, healthy, indiviudals.   

No parent is perfect, and no child will have the perfect upbringing. Since we all need that help, here are some tips to make sure you are doing right by your child, as best you can.  Because each family has different philosophies, and policies, I am not pushing any on you; but merely suggesting you give them a try.  Make adjustments where you see fit, as long as you stick to the basic idea.

Perhaps one of the best methods for making sure that you have healthy, well-rounded children is ensuring an open line of communication.  If you are the parent of a young child, always explain why you do things the way you do, and never ignore any question they ask.  They will talk as long as you listen, and this is a good habit to keep in place.  If they are teenagers who would rather eat sardines for a year than talk to you; try this.  Trust your child on a level that is dictated by his or her level of responsibility and respect.  If a child learns that he or she can come to you with anything honestly without fear of punishment, but to expect it, if necessary; this line of communication will be a valuable tool in ensuring their safety, and happiness.

Embrace all of your children’s desires, but not necessarily to the fullest immediately.  Let me explain.  If your five year old daughter says she wants to do ballet, but you know she’ll quit in three weeks, and /or you do not have the means to enroll in her classes—you can still embrace her desire, without wasting time and effort.  Buy her a pair of shoes, with a tutu, and let her practice with videos that you can rent. 

Too many times parents are guilty of preventing their children from doing something they want to do, without truly just reason.  My husband never got to play football as a kid, only because his Mom worried too much about him getting hurt.  He often comments that he wishes he could have, and didn’t understand the reason why he didn’t get to.  Her fear of his injury should not have dictated his life. If there is a desire you cannot embrace for whatever reason, offer alternatives; and explain the reason for your resistance. 

Get your child interested in a wide variety of activities from an early age.  Of course, stick to age appropriateness. The more he’s into now, the more likely he’ll maintain to some extent in adulthood.  My child has a compassion for handicapped or injured people, because it directly affects him.  I have cerebral palsy.  It is very mild, but he can still see I do not walk like everyone else.  Does this change me?  Not in his eyes.  His understanding of this (no matter how small), leads to compassion that will stick with him.  The same compassion I had for others, because I knew what it felt like to be teased; that many children my age did not share either.

Get him involved with family members who can encourage other interests.  This way, you are not the only teacher!  My son is interested in building projects, working on cars and computers, along with fishing, and even trying to play a couple instruments.  All of these are great things for a four year old to start building skill in, as these can take him any number of places in life.  I am not forcing anything, just sparking that interest.  If it doesn’t follow him throughout life, the knowledge of it will!  I tried the best I could; and that’s all that matters. The key to healthy, well rounded children is variety, and diversity; or, at least I believe that’s the easiest way to phrase it. 

What do you think?  Tell us about your children and the activities they enjoy!  How and why did you get them involved?  What resistance if any, was shown?  Have any suggestions for other Moms?