“Do as I say, not as I do.” In my personal opinion, these are the most ridiculous words a parent can say to a child. Why would you tell a child to do something that they can see that you are clearly not willing to do yourself? Justifying it by saying, “I don’t want you to turn out like me,” just multiplies the ridiculous factor. Your child naturally loves and respects you. Hypocritical behavior can erode that adoration over time.
Let’s move this conversation on to my field—health and fitness. When it comes to physical and mental well-being, the example you set may determine how your child lives their life independent of you.
Healthy eating
Food is fuel for your body. Like cleaner-burning gasoline, whole foods that are lean and nutrient-rich will keep your body running more efficiently and reduce the risk of disease. You can also fill up on lesser quality fuel, like processed foods and meals heavy in unhealthy fats and sugars, and you will find your energy quickly depleted and your body feeling as if it needs a tune-up. You know this, so you tell your children that they need to eat their vegetables or no dessert. Now it’s in their mind that dessert is a reward, and who doesn’t want to be rewarded as often as possible?
You pack their lunch with fruit, baby carrots, and cheese sticks. What did you have for lunch? Do you go out to eat? And do you make healthy choices? Your children come home from school and ask for a snack, and you tell them to eat an apple. They ask if they can have chips and you tell them no. Problem is, you are not fooling them. They see the chips, but they are not allowed to eat them. So, you sneak chips while you are at home, they sneak and get chips from friends while at school. My intention is not to induce guilt, but rather to heighten awareness. So often, what we do is done without thought. We just do what we have always done. Well, you know the old saying, “Do what you’ve always done…”
Healthy drinking
It is a great habit to encourage your kids to drink more water. What I’ve noticed, though, is that children naturally drink more water than the adults they are with. At the park, kids will run and rehydrate from their water bottle or the water fountain, while the adults they are with are sipping coffee. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to take away your caffeine. I know better than to take coffee and bacon off the table when I talk nutrition, or I’ll lose you for the rest of the conversation. Just be sure to carry a water bottle for yourself and when the children come to sip from theirs, you do the same. You’ll be a good example while getting the added benefit of more water.
Be active together. I did not just give you permission to bean your kid in the head with a dodgeball. I did not cause you to get stuck in the winding slide. Go on a bike ride together. Walk on the beach while they run in and out of the waves. Shoot some baskets, play catch, or kick a ball around together. It’s a lot more fun than being in a room with everyone being focused on a screen, sometimes each on their own screen.
My hope is that I’ve given you something to think about that will benefit your entire family. Check back with me from time to time as I’ll be sharing more with the goal of helping families live healthier together.
Contributing writer Denise Lum is a Health and Fitness Coach raising her family in Alameda. Contact her via [email protected] or FitnessByDsign.com. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Denise-Lum.
