Many of us can trace elements of our personality to our childhoods, for better or for worse. For almost everyone, the best and worst of our character traits come from this developmental time. If you’re lucky, most of these will be good rather than bad, but no one is 100% perfect (and perhaps that’s okay).
As a parent, however, it’s important for us to do our best for our children. But, while this phrase is cute and all. . . it leaves a lot of room for interpretation (or misinterpretation). How can you create healthy habits for your children? And how can you build these habits so that your kids grow up confident, assured, and willing to work hard?
Well, there’s no manual for parenthood, so it’s up to each parent to determine how to do that. One universal principle, however, is that habits often make who we are. Aristotle once said “We are what we repeatedly do – excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”
But, how can we really create healthy habits for our children? Here are a few things to consider:
1. Prioritize Cleanliness
Children tend to view cleaning as the ultimate annoying chore, and it’s not hard to see why. However, because cleaning up after ourselves is so important, and this skillset is so essential to living in good quality conditions, learning how to this is non-negotiable.
Teach your children how to clean their bedrooms, how to make their rooms, and even how to place their linens in the washing machine and properly dry them. Even simple things, like washing up soon after eating our evening meal, and making sure we use coasters to prevent rings of fluid that stain our tables is a great idea. The more you implement that kind of focus now, the better off your child will be.
2. Stress The Importance Of Dental & Self Care
It’s always good to help your child learn how to take care of their teeth. A daily morning and night brushing regimen is important, but teaching them how to floss and use child’s mouthwash (without swallowing) is also a great idea. By using a worthwhile dental care service, you’ll also be in the best possible place to identify possible issues before they become real problems, and encourage them to visit the dentist of their own accord when they move out.
3. Teach Healthy Mealtime Habits
Learning to cook appropriately is perhaps one of the most essential skills for any child to learn, because of course, they need to eat! When we teach them a few simple recipes, such as with one-pot cooking, how to cook meats through and check their temperature, and the different food groups, they’ll be much less likely to rely on takeout food or cheap fast food, saving them both their money and health over time. It’s also nice to pass down a few family recipes so they’re never forgotten.
Featured Image Credit: Ivan Samkov
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