Raising healthy children is topmost priority for all parents. And by healthy children we mean, focusing not only on their physical growth and health but mental and social well being too. We all know that the way we nurture our children in their early formative years, affects their growth and health later in life.
As young and brand new parents, twelve years ago, KG and I decided to give a healthy start to our lil baby. We decided that in order to raise a healthy child, we will make it a family affair ie both of us would be equal partners in nurturing our child (ok, I had a larger role to play for obvious reasons!) and secondly, we will keep it simple.
Eat Right : The first thing that was on our agenda was to give the right and balanced nutrition to our child. We all know that healthy eating habits helps to maintain healthy weight and growth. So, we followed a few rules religiously on our dining table.
- We believe that the family that eats together stays together. So, we made meal time a family time, especially dinners. While, lunch is an affair between Aaryan and me.
- Eat whatever is cooked at home. Finish whatever is in the plate… is the mantra that we have inculcated in our son and we follow it too.
- Since KG is a chef by passion, a variety of healthy foods and snacks are a given in our home, making the dining table one happy place to be at. Ok, sometimes there were a few frowns but our meal times were never a battle zone.
- Given the unhealthy temptations we are exposed to now-a-days, and we do have to give in to a burger today or an aerated drink there and not to mention the chips and chocolates. But we have opted for healthier options viz cooking with olive oil, milk and fresh juices over canned options, more fruits and vegetables etc.
Power of Play : Science has proven that a lot of brain development happen when a child is involved in a physical activity. Playing outdoors is not just a fun activity but helps the child to learn the rules of the game in the outside world, dealing with peers, wins and losses, and get the necessary mental, physical and social skills to succeed in his adult life.
- An hour of physical activity out with friends in the evening was something we encouraged for Aaryan. So, he would play hide and seek or cycle or play cricket or football or learn karate and come home happy with lots of stories to share and release of energy making him tired and hungry and ready to attack his food with gusto.
- Jenga blocks, snakes and ladder, jig saw puzzles, reading story books, re-entered our lives as we played these games with our child, indoors. This not only helped us to bond as a family but also gave Aaryan that push to be more creative, expressive and imaginative too.
- Family trips to parks, museums, zoos or just a drive around the city with the child helped to broaden his learning horizon.
Needless to say that maintaining these healthy habits ensured that our visits to the doctors were restricted usually to get the age-specific immunization shots. We amalgamated healthy nutritious food along with physical activity in our life and all this not only kept our child fit and healthy but helped us to be more disciplined and conscious of our health. Our involvement as parents in his early years gave him that sense of security and helped us become a close-knit family. Today, we have so many fond memories of growing up and growing close as a family —thanks to our child and our determination to give him the best.
It is true that a healthy child makes for a healthy and a happy home, indeed.
This post is written for Indiblogger.in and Dabur Chyawanprash
32 Responses
Excellent post, Shilpa. The most important things we can give our children are not ‘things’. You’ve got one handsome young man there!
True and well said, LuAnn! It’s not the ‘things’ that matter! Thanks a lot 🙂 ♥
Healthy children are certainly happier children and make happy families. I hear of too many children these days saying they have no time for breakfast or play! They’re so busy chasing grades!
What are Jenga blocks, Shilpa?
Agree with you, Vidya! Yes, the ‘forced’ academic competition is so stiff now-a-days and too much emphasis is put on being the best and it has become a prestige issue for many parents too.
The other day, I saw a pic on Whatsapp, the caption was Outdoor games for today’s kids… And there were 4-5 kids out in a park with tablets and PSPs 🙄
Jenga is a block-stacking, stack-crashing game for physical and mental skills. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenga
Ah… I just googled Jenga. Reminded me of the days when Vidur loved to stack boxes – was quite dexterous in balancing them. What fun and laughter it is – I am sure you all had a great time playing with the stack!
And yes – everywhere children are engrossed in their hand held devices!
Oh yes, kids love stacking blocks and making big towers and then seeing them fall 😀 Jenga is a fun game and we play it still 🙂
Excellent post shilpa, you have outlines the most essential aspects of rearing a happy and healthy child.
Thank you Inderpreet! Glad you liked this post 🙂
Good one. More than all these technology kids need to breathe fresh air. But as you said these days fresh air means psps outside.
Sadly, tech gadgets are children’s best friends now-a-days! Thanks Sheethal!
This is the most important issue that needs all young parents’ attention to make their family a happy and prosperous one…
Liked it a lot…
Thanks for sharing…
Thanks for reading, Sheela 🙂
Very well said. Healthy eating is something which my parents emphasized right from when I was young and even my gym trainer says that I’ve grown up eating healthy good because of my stamina. We did not have an option to say no to any vegetable and we had to finish what we had on our plate. And even when it comes to playing, we were encouraged to run and play all sorts of games and I’m really happy that it is helping me keep fit these days 🙂
Agree with you and it was the same for us too. It is the good habits that were instilled by our parents that is reaping benefits for us!
All good points!
I noticed the kid on the bicycle (Aaryan?) wearing a helmet. That’s a good habit!!
Thank you PI. Yes, that’s Aaryan 🙂
My kids love Jenga too. I agree physical activity and nutritious food keep children healthy.
It is a fun game even for adults! 🙂
Give me a hi-five, shilpa:) That is how i brought/bring up my children too. A balance of nutritious local food, rest and exercise ( occasional indulgence of eating junk food) . This builds immunity and an immune child is a healthy child and a healthy home. nice post:)
Hi-Five and a hug too, Asha! 🙂 ♥
Totally agree with you. A healthy child will make our home happier.
Thanks SG 🙂
Eating home cooked food is so important…And also having a good breakfast…I tend to miss it everyday all thanks to my laziness!
Oh, they say, you must never skip breakfast, rather should eat it like a king!
True.All parents try their best,but,of late I see parents getting too busy with their profession that they hardly find time which they could spend with the kids.
This where the importance of joint family is released and also Grand parents presence helps
Aah! The price one pays for this hectic pace of life!
I thank God every day for blessing me with two healthy, happy, and smart kids. I couldn’t have asked for better and love them to pieces. ♥
Touch wood and god bless them 🙂 ♥
Very glad to see that we have similar situations at my home, Shilpa. I have an experimental chef for a husband and a kid who loves to play outdoors as well as indoor board games. Health is wealth. Sigh, ask me. I have been feeling the brunt of that statement for the last few weeks.
Wow! Isnt it wonderful to have a chef at home! 😀 I know your pain.
You pls do take care of yourself and get well real soon! ♥
A well-balanced lifestyle of fun and hard work is always a good thing for kids!!
True that!