Do you want your kids to be successful, happy, and healthy? Do you want them to have the skills and habits that will help them thrive in life? If you answered yes, then you need to read this.
Many parents don’t realize how important it is to establish a healthy daily routine for their kids. They let their kids do whatever they want, whenever they want, without any rules or structure. They expect their kids to perform well in school, but they don’t provide them with the support and guidance they need.
But the truth is, lack of proper daily routine can affect your kids’ performance in the classroom, and as they grow older, it affects their time management skills and ability to stick to a schedule.
Routines are a major part of adult life, which we learn to master right from when we’re kids. If we don’t teach our kids how to structure their time and stick to a schedule, we are handicapping them for the future.
On the other hand, “studies show that having a regular routine and structure make a child feel safe, secure, and teaches self-control and self-reliance.” says Dr. Lawrence Steinberg, a professor of psychology.
Benefits of Daily Healthy Routine in Kids
It helps them to build healthy habits. It helps them to stick to a schedule. It helps them to sleep better. It helps them to have self-control and self-reliance. It makes them independent.
The Challenges Parents Face
I understand that life is hectic. Many of us work long hours so we have little time to spend with our kids on a regular basis. As a parent, establishing and maintaining a healthy routine in our kids requires, self-discipline, patience and determination. It requires persistent effort on the part of parents to overcome kids’ initial resistance to conforming to unhealthy routine such as;
- Irregular bedtime and wake time.
- Watching television for a long period of time.
- Binging on junk food.
- Not establishing household chores for children thinking they are still too young.
The Solutions
Train and Establish a Firm Regular Bedtime Routine
I remember when I was young, I lived with my grandparents, and they established a wonderful bedtime routine that I still follow today. Bedtime should be made pleasant. My grandparents used to tell me a story and that was a sign that it was time to go to bed. I also tell my children bedtime stories even when I am seriously stressed after the day’s activities. My kids are relaxed and always ready to go to bed knowing that their mama is going to tell them a story.
Define Family Rules and Enforce them Promptly
The fact is kids do better with clear rules and firm consequences. “Without structures children become self absorbed, selfish and unhappy and they make everyone around miserable too” says Ronald Simon a sociologist at the university of Georgia.
Setting reasonable limits for your kids’ behavior and enforcing those limits takes time, effort and perseverance. And children have the natural urge to test any limit boundaries. Let them know that if rules are broken, the consequences will be enforced quickly. Remember to enforce the consequences in a calm, firm and consistent manner.
Make it a Habit to Eat at Least One Meal a Day Together
To establish this habit, make your mealtime flexible. Eating together is important because it can enable every member of the family to share their thoughts and feelings. Discuss activities for the day, talk about problems and laugh together.
Conclusion Although creating a healthy routine for your kids can be challenging and frustrating due to day-to-day hustle and bustle, the reward is worth the sacrifice. When kids master a healthy routine, they grow up to be mature, reliable, responsible and trustworthy adults.
So, what are you waiting for? Start today and see the difference in your kids’ health and happiness!
At Whole Health with Adebisi, we envision a world where everyone can enjoy a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. We offer high-quality holistic health and wellness services for busy professionals, families and senior citizens who want to achieve their health goals. Our mission is to help you find joy and reconnection in your health by focusing on the essential aspects of life, such as healthy food, lifestyle, movement, exercise, physical and emotional health, stress and sleep.
We are a compassionate and empathetic team that supports you every step of the way. We believe that prevention is better than cure, and that you deserve to have a say in your own health decisions. We also provide you with virtual live events that will inspire and motivate you on your journey. At Whole Health with Adebisi, we put your health and happiness at the heart of everything we do.
Thanks for sharing