3 Healthy Summer Habits
It’s summer! Which means the kids are on a road to laziness. My plan for a non-electronic summer is truly not happening and I find it easy to get sucked into their lethargy.
Exercise
I’ve decided that I’m going to use exercise to motivate them. Meaning…if they want to do something lazy, then they have to be active for just as long, prior to lounging. If they want to watch a movie, then they can play in the pool, practice soccer or do yoga for about an hour first.
I also find, that when you seek to distract a child with something “good” or let’s say “beneficial”, they enjoy it so much, that they forget about the initial interest in the lazier option. I have started a Pinterest board also of things for kids to do over the summer, so I don’t forget when I see them laying around. This can work for creative project and outdoor or physical activities as well.
Snacking
Another pitfall for the kids is snacking. I have a friend who literally has an electronic keypad on her pantry and only she knows the code, so the kids don’t snack all day. It’s not only a nutritional safeguard but a financial one – they kids can eat away quite a few $$ a day, needlessly.
To avoid this pointless munching (and a lock and key) set out healthy snacks for the kids to graze on throughout the day: hummus/veggies, peanut butter/celery, nuts, dried fruit, granola, etc. Even if they don’t particularly flock to healthy food options, when it’s that or nothing, they will eat.
Resting
Kids have no problem “resting” when it’s in front of a TV, but as soon as you establish “quiet time” they come undone. Resting is just as hard for kids as it is for us, although I often wish someone would tell me it’s “nap time”. Seriously. But to teach your kids that the body needs to reload, is good. Quiet time in their rooms doing puzzles, reading, practicing yoga stretches, napping or coloring is so important for their minds and bodies. Risk the riot and install a daily time for them to unwind.
While summer is often an opportunity for moms, dads and caregivers to run out of patience with their kids, use this time to establish healthy daily practices that can extend far into the school year.
