A popular quote on Pinterest states: The one thing children wear out faster than shoes is parents. If you have children, then no one has to tell you how demanding it is to be a parent in today’s society.
Just a couple of generations ago, parents had one of two jobs – go to work to earn a paycheck, or at stay home and clean the house. Meanwhile their children safely attended local public schools for the better part of any given weekday.
A Busy Schedule for Modern Parents
Today’s society is very different. The parental role has been redefined in every unique combination known to humans, and a large majority of children do not attend any type of formal education. They instead are home schooled or attend some type of charter organization for their education.
The National Center for Education Statistics, a division of the Institute of Education Sciences, reports that in 2007 an estimated total of 1.5 million children living in the United States were home schooled. That does not include other types of non-traditional education settings.
When their children attend public school parents are busy enough with things like fundraisers, class projects, and any number of organizations within the social hierarchy among parents and guardians. Can you imagine how much busier parents are who home school their children?
Making Time for Healthy Choices for the Entire Family
Regardless of your family dynamics, there is no doubt that you are all busy people. Everyone has somewhere they need to be throughout the week, and it can feel like a real challenge to get them there. This is especially true if you are part of a large family with schedules that overlap.
You spend too much time sitting in the vehicle going from soccer games to tutoring sessions to dance lessons and any other activity on your family calendar. But here are some ways that you can turn unhealthy habits into healthy choices to benefit your entire family.
- Pack Snacks – It is so easy to slip into a habit of letting a fast food restaurant’s drive up window serve meals. They cook the food and serve it in containers that go right into the garbage. Packing snacks of fresh fruit and peanut butter sandwiches are a nutritious option that also saves money as well.
- Walk Around Town – When running errands in town, park your car and walk from one destination to the next if possible. Another alternative is taking public transportation, like the bus or the subway. These vehicles are already in motion, and leaving yours parked helps the environment.
- Movie Night – A trip to the the theater is not only expensive, but it is also unhealthy. Who can enjoy watching a movie without popcorn or a soda? Instead host movie night at home and invite friends over for air popped popcorn and your favorite brand of carbonated flavored water.
- No TV at Mealtimes – When people watch television or play video games during meal times, they lose track of how much they are eating. They do not realize that they are full until their bodies exhibit bloating, cramping, or other symptoms of overeating.
- Cook Together – Including the entire family in meal preparation and cooking is the perfect opportunity to explain about making healthy food choices. Even young children can stir something in a mixing bowl or help set the table.
- Play Board Games – Video games offer hours of mindless entertainment. Playing a board or card game as a family, on the other hand, provides mental stimulation and opportunities to communicate during healthy competition.
Whether you are reading this in 2014 or 2024, these lifestyle changes are timeless ways to promote better health for your whole family. If you are reading this, then you have the opportunity to act as a role model to your loved ones.
When you start making small changes, they are sure to follow in your footsteps. There is no time like the present to take the first step on a path to a healthier you, so select a few tips and begin making healthier lifestyle changes today. You have nothing to lose, and only better health to gain.
Carol Newman realized the importance of good health during her teenage years. Today she frequently helps women realize their full potential through use of her website, www.biogirlhealth.com, as well as the BioGirl Health Show, where she serves as the host. She feels called to share this exclusive knowledge through her personal experiences and special guests who share their expertise.