Episode #31: 12 Ways to Set a Healthy Foundation for Your Child's Future

Are you worried about how to fit all of the pieces together to raise a wholesome and happy child?  Are you stressed because you have zero time to spend teaching your kids healthy habits that they will carry into adulthood?  

First, Mama, surround yourself, your spouse, and your children within a space that inspires you, motivates you, and comforts you.  Spend time with parents and children that push you up instead of pull you down.  Some of the habits I will mentioned today will very likely be taught indirectly just by spending time with the right people in your life.  Remember…it takes a village to raise our children!

Our mind and body are strongly connected – so keeping our kids on track with both of those can really keep them be balanced, healthy, and happy.  Today I am going to touch on 12 important habits to focus on AND quick ways to incorporate them into your daily life.  You DON’T have to teach a HUGE lesson that will take hours and hours.  You only need a few things to keep in mind and have on hand to start touching on these TODAY!

1. Enjoy Fun and Nutritious Food 

2. Stay Active and Move 

3. Instill Responsibility Early 

4. Teach Good Sleep Habits 

5. Model Personal Hygiene 

6. Keep Surrounding Space Clean 

7. Identify and Celebrate Real Emotions

8. Have Gratitude and Good Character

9. Embrace Boredom 

10. Teach Life Skills 

11.  Model Money Habits 

12.  Appropriate Social Skills and Manners 

 So, how do we do this AND get everything else done?  Try these THREE quick and easy methods to simply teach these habits right in your own home:

#1 FIND QUICK TEACHABLE MOMENTS

1.    Identify 

2.    Empower

3.    Teach

 #2 THE POWER OF BOOKS AND VIDEOS

Don’t put that pressure all on YOU!  There are tons of resources out there to help whether it’s in an actual book or online.         

 #3 USE PICTURES, ITEMS, AND EXPERIENCES 

Many children are visual and hands-on and are still learning vocabulary and benefit tremendously from manipulatives.  Whether you teach with pretend food, actual coins, a pretend checkbook, puppets, role-playing, etc.  Even if for just 10 minutes a day, week, or a month.  The point is…YOU ARE DOING IT.  You are making time for what’s important...and that's what matters!

These pieces fit together to help raise the “whole child.”  Not just academically…not just physically…but all of it.  The whole child…the whole little person!  It is hard…it takes time…but in the end…it is 100% worth the investment in y