Brought to you by Irish Life Health.
Everyone begins their parenting journey with the intention of being some kind of Carol Brady/Florence Nightingale hybrid, but then life happens and there’s barely time to shower, let alone squeeze in a family yoga session each week.
Life is hectic and convenience is everything; so much so that it can be easy to accept certain unhealthy patterns and ‘once-off’ behaviours as the norm.
For instance; remember that one time you let the kids pop a sugar-laden cereal into the shopping trolley? Now it’s a regular fixture at the breakfast table.
Carrying out a quick bad habit cleanse is the best way to get your family back on track when things have been particularly chaotic.
Here are four that can make for a healthier, happier home:
Switch off the TV at meal times
We know, we know; sometimes turning off the TV or iPad means eating dinner to the sounds of your kids whining and grumbling but make it a habit and the peace and quiet will really pay off.
Studies show that television can distract children from recognising their body’s natural satiety cues, meaning they eat more or less than they need. The TV is also a bonding blitzer – chatting with the family over dinner each night helps children to grow and develop. In fact, research has shown that eating dinner with the family every evening boosts a child’s vocabulary even more than being read aloud to.
Stop rewarding them with sweets
From the lollipop after a trip to the dentist to the chocolate buttons after school, rewarding kids with sugary treats teaches them that sweets are more prized than other foods. The result? As adults they will subliminally associate sugary foods with feeling good and relaxing after a stressful day.
Get creative with fruit and veggies for play dates and after school snacks – try ants on a log (celery sticks filled with peanut butter and topped with raisins) or an Incredible Hulk smoothie (yogurt, avocado, banana and a splash of oat or almond milk).
Lighten up
Tired of hearing your own voice yelling about PE gear, homework and messy bedrooms? Take stock of the tone you most commonly use when communicating with your children. Sometimes bad behaviour can be a reaction to not feeling heard or understood. Instead of the usual battle cry, try using a quiet voice to explain the source of your frustration to your kids.
The next time you find yourself in the cycle of anger, take a deep breath and diffuse the situation with a joke or a silly song – you might find it works much faster than shouting at them does.
Introduce a bedtime wind-down
Studies show that the bright light of television and video games (known as blue light) overstimulates children and interrupts their normal sleep patterns, making it difficult to nod off.
Switch off all screens and consoles at least an hour before bedtime and fill that time with a relaxing bath, a little family meditation and a bedtime story or two. Dim the lights and create a calm atmosphere in the evening – you might even find you’re ready to hit the hay a little earlier yourself.
The great thing about Irish Life Health’s Digital Doctor is that you’re actually chatting to a real GP, who you can access from home, from work or even when you’re abroad. It’s available to all new and renewing Irish Life Health members so you’ll always be prepared for every parenting eventuality.
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