Self care for kids- guest author!

Check out this amazing article on self-care by my guest author Anya Willis. She can be reached at anya.willis@fitkids.info.

Brilliant Self-Care Practices You Can Model for Your Children

Parents understand that they’re their children’s greatest teachers. After all, A Fine Parent notes that kids learn more from seeing an excellent example than they do from lectures. So help your children appreciate the life-long benefits of personal care by demonstrating these tips from Wellness Warriors! 

Drink Enough Water

KidsHealth points out that staying hydrated has numerous benefits, such as keeping your joints lubricated so bones don’t rub together. Water also helps you build muscle, which protects and stabilizes your joints. You can’t beat water for regulating hunger and boosting your metabolism. This wonder fluid also moisturizes your skin and even fights wrinkles.

Help yourself and your kids get enough water by drinking a cup first thing in the morning. Considering that you hopefully spent the previous eight hours in rest, your body needs replenishment. Since water relieves fatigue and boosts your energy, reach for the water bottle before coffee or tea.

Visit the Doctor

It’s important that children understand that regular doctor visits are part of good self-care. If you work for yourself or have recently transitioned to freelance work, you may have concerns about your insurance options. Fortunately, the ACA exchange is one of many options that makes affordable healthcare, and thus regular doctor visits, readily available.

Make Cleaning Fun

Clean homes mean less potential for illness and accidents, so make chores and clean-up pleasurable by cranking up the music and singing and dancing along. Create competitions with rewards for everyone so the kids aren’t discouraged if they can’t do as much as their older siblings. Reinforce the lesson by reminding them of their frustrations with messy rooms and lost items. After organizing, take time to bask in a job well done and the peaceful environment of a clean home. 

Safeguard Family Time

Show your kids that you always have room for them in your schedule. You may not always be able to drop everything instantly and cater to their whims, but you can ensure that you have moments of true quality time every day. Consider adding 10 minutes to your morning routine for a good start. Make breakfast together and read something inspirational at the table or on the way to school. The same can be done at bedtime. 

Plan vacations and weekly activities together so everyone has input and feels appreciated. A regular family walk can be good for quality time and physical activity. Consult a Walk Score map of your area to find the best spots for walking nearby. This is a great way to enjoy some fresh air and each other’s company.

Indulge Their Creativity

Help the kids find an expressive outlet for their feelings through arts and music. Children will enjoy creative ventures more when they do them well and receive positive feedback. It’s never too early to begin music lessons, and fun-loving teachers can propel your kids to a lifelong passion for instruments and voice. 

Demonstrate Financial Responsibility

Children struggle to grasp why they can’t have a particular toy when they witness you make large purchases for other necessities. Without overwhelming them or providing too many details, show your kids the value of hard work and budgeting. Teach them how to make sacrifices and that buying a weekly grocery budget has limits, so compromises or substitutions must be made. When you’re ready to buy exercise equipment or play things, read reviews to see which items get you the most use for your money. Then children will learn the importance of investing in well-made items.

Unwind for a Weekend

Instill the value of scheduling a stress-free weekend for mental health. A trip to the zoo could be a great idea or take the family to the game of their favorite sports team. Make the visit a whole weekend event if the stadium or arena isn’t nearby. Find inexpensive tickets for a Dodgers game by searching online and checking by price range, seat rating, and date. Many ticket sellers have an interactive seating chart to get a panoramic view before buying. 

You set a model for self-care that your children absorb whether you want to or not. By planning valuable self-care practices carefully, spending as much quality time with the family as possible, and exemplifying sound and healthy lifestyle choices, you can prepare your children for a well-balanced life.