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Waking Up Smiling
By Jara Anton
It's no fun to start your day by yelling at the kids, or by getting yelled at, it's no fun for them to start their day in tears. Here, then, are some fun and easy tips for getting your little bed-heads out the door with smiles on their faces.
The wake-up call is your first line of defense. Tread carefully; we're entering dangerous territory. Your little one might flail angrily. Your adolescent might mumble something you'll (thankfully) not understand. Before you decide how to rouse your kids, you need to consider what motivates them, and what they enjoy.
Younger children respond quickly to fun and silly things. We had guinea pigs growing up, it was not out of the ordinary to wake up to something furry and soft tickling your face, (with supervision of course.)
Getting kids up and ready for the day...whether it is for school, daycare, or even a sport or enrichment activity is a sure-fire stress builder and typical cause of morning madness. What can parents do to start each day in a positive fashion? Here are a few more ideas.
Parents unwittingly cause morning madness by not instilling that the routine is a family requirement and not an option. A non-negotiable routine must be established, and consequence discussed and determined. (I.e. if you don't get up on first call, your bedtime is 15 minutes earlier tonight). It's the "wiggle room" that causes melt-downs and tantrums on the very morning parents have a "must make" meeting. You could also stagger the wake-up times according to whether or not your child needs special attention.
Proper planning is also a must. Clothing, down to clean socks, underwear and shoes, and even matching hair accessories should be laid out each night before bed. Youngsters can play a role in choosing the outfit, but no changes are allowed once their head hits the pillow. And, then stick with it! The only exceptions should be an unknown tear or stain, or surprise change in the weather. This avoids missing socks, unmatched shirt and shoes, and keeps getting dressed a simple step in beginning the day vs. a looming battle.
This just in: the snatch and go theory really does work! It's just not enough to get dressed and eat. How many times have kids missed the bus because they couldn't find their homework sheet or didn't have their backpack put together? If you drive your kids, then put their organized backpacks in the car the night before. Lunches should also be prepared just before bed and easily grabbed from the fridge ready-to-go. Jackets should be in a central location. The "snatch and go" theory really does work in the mornings.
With all of these ideas, you are bound to find a few that you can implement in your own home. It has been proven that waking up with a smile instead of an adversary will affect their whole day. With some planning and a great sense of humor, you will start getting things in order.
Get Kids Outside!
By Jara Anton
Children often have a natural tendency to play hard. Here's how to direct your child's energy into a lifelong love of physical activity.
For many children, biking to the playground and playing kickball in the backyard have given way to watching television, playing video games and spending hours online. But it's never too late to get your kids off the couch. Use these simple tips to give your kids a lifelong appreciation for activities that strengthen their bodies.
When you set a good example, your kids will follow. If you want active kids, be active yourself. Go for a brisk walk, ride your bike or spend some time gardening. Kids ages 6 to 17 years old need at least an hour a day of such moderate activities. Three or more days a week should be more vigorous activities such as those that include running or jumping rope. Adults need at least 2.5 hours a week of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activities.
Invite your family to play catch or to join you on a walk. Talk about physical activity as an opportunity to take care of your body, rather than a punishment or a chore. Praise, reward and encourage activity. Set goals and have everyone track their activities and progress.
Also, limiting screen time is crucial in your slightly uphill battle. A surefire way to increase your children's activity levels is to limit the number of hours they're allowed to watch television each day. You might limit screen time - including television, video games and computer time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one to two hours a day. To make it easier, don't put a television in your children's bedrooms, and keep the computer in a family area. Also consider limiting other sedentary activities, such as text messaging or chatting on the phone.
If your children play video games, opt for those that require movement. Activity-oriented video games - such as dance video games and video games that use a player's physical movements to control what happens on the screen - boost a child's calorie-burning power. In a Mayo Clinic study, kids who traded sedentary screen time for active screen time more than doubled their energy expenditure.
Set aside time each day for physical activity. Get up early with your children to walk the dog or take a walk together after dinner. Start small, gradually adding new activities to the routine as you - and your children - become more fit.
It is best to really let your children set the pace. However, for many kids, organized sports are a great way to stay fit. But team sports or dance classes aren't the only options. If your child is artistically inclined, take a nature hike to collect leaves and rocks that your child can use to make a collage. If your child likes to climb, head for the nearest neighborhood jungle gym. If your child likes to read, walk or bike to the neighborhood library for a book. Or simply turn on your child's favorite music and dance in the living room.
Every child is wired differently, we all have certain strengths and characteristics that influence our interests. The key is finding things that your children like to do.
When you promote activity, not exercise, you essentially "trick" your kids into the right decision. To keep your kids interested in fitness, make it fun. Try to get in the game. Play catch, get the whole family involved in a game of tag or have a jump-rope contest. Try classic movement games such as Simon says or red light, green light. If you don't remember the rules, make up your own!
Put your kids in charge. Let each child take a turn choosing the activity of the day or week. Batting cages, bowling and neighborhood play areas all count. What matters is that you're doing something active and you're doing it together.