Home > Blog Posts > Guest Post: "Parenting Resolutions" for the New Year

This page may contain affiliate or sponsored links. MyActiveChild.com will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link, and the presence of our sponsors/advertising partners is what makes this website possible. Thank you for supporting us. For more information, see our terms of use.

Guest Post: "Parenting Resolutions" for the New Year

Betsy Williams is Chief Confidence Builder at The Little Gym of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.

“Parenting Resolutions” for the New Year!

Each New Year is a new opportunity to focus on making positive changes in your life. While this is a great habit for everyone, it’s especially important for parents. Why? Because the choices that you make not only benefit you, they have a direct effect on your child’s health, too!

Here are 3 parenting resolutions to consider for 2012:

1. Instill a love for physical activity. Physical activity provides countless benefits. So, it’s important to help your child develop healthy habits at an early age. Whether it’s a family bowling outing, trips to the “Y” or “Rec Center”, or a gymnastics, karate or dance class, regular “fun” physical activities can help your child develop a love for an active lifestyle.

2. Establish healthy eating habits. Keep healthy, yummy snacks on hand and set an example for your child with your own food choices. Plan low fat meals that follow the government’s MyPlate guidelines and involve your children in meal planning and shopping. This allows you to reinforce your child’s healthy meal options and helps children discover new foods and flavors.

3. Focus on your child’s positive behaviors. Like adults, children respond to favorable comments and adopt behaviors that gain them attention. Try to get in the habit of catching your children “at their best.” Providing encouragement for good behavior or for achievements in sports or other physical activities is a great way to motivate children to maintain good habits.

While you help your children develop healthy habits, don’t forget to make resolutions for your own health as well. Children learn by example, and your own healthy habits will have a major influence on their attitudes as well.

Happy New Year!

familyjump.jpg

Disclosure – this post may contain affiliate links and MyActiveChild.com does receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link. To read our full disclosure, please read our Terms of Use.

Tags: The Little Gym
Category: Guest Post