There are lots of habits linked to having a longer healthier life and as parents its our job to protect the family and put them on the right path.

Exercise

It’s well known that exercise can improve your quality of life. Young children can be very energetic and always on the go! Whereas many teenagers seem to develop a sloth like existence. My boys are fifteen and thirteen, so I am watching it happen first hand.

Just wanting to laze around all day with very little drive or motivation seems to be the order of the day at the moment. So, you have to find those little ways to incorporate movement into their days! You can start off quite small, I try and get them out on the dog walk with me or we go and see my parents. They live very close but at least the thought of seeing their grandparents coaxes them to do a few more steps.

Be A Good Role Model

Plus, it helps if you’re a good role model. If they see you wanting to exercise more it can encourage them to do the same. So, you really do need to look enthusiastic to get out and about yourselves. Which let’s me honest isn’t always easy after a day in work! You could quite easily embrace the Netflix and chill ethos tucked up in bed. But its important to teach your children good habits so they mirror you in the future.

Take Out Insurance

Insurance is important as a financial safety net for the family, so it’s a good idea to use a comparison site to see what is available out there. Protect your family today with simple insurance for peace of mind. I was shocked to learn that almost 50% of UK parents don’t have life insurance.

Schedule Activity Breaks

I used to have screen limits in place. But its gone very lax lately which is far from ideal I know. However, it can help to remind them to move every now and then when they are gaming! You could have a set of dumb bells for them to do a few sets or get them to do a few laps of the garden before starting their next game.

Stay Connected

Teenagers can become quite reclusive. It’s good to continue to encourage them to socialize. They use gaming as a type of connection but it’s not enough on its own or they just stay glued to their phones on social media platforms. Even if it can be a welcome distraction for them.

We do things like have the occasional enforced board game session, day trip or movie session. Just to reconnect as a family. I also remind them of the importance of developing their social skills, like asking questions to someone else.  At the dinner table today my eldest asked how my day at work had gone? I was delighted to see him practising social skills without being prompted. It gives me hope that my efforts will pay off eventually.

Quit Smoking

Children are four times more likely to start smoking if their parents smoke. So quitting smoking is definitely a change parents should make to help protect the family. Neither of my parents smoked when I was growing up and I have no interest in smoking myself. My husband doesn’t smoke either so hopefully that will play a part in the decisions my children make as they grow up.

Prioritize Sleep

Teenagers love to test limits and one of those is how much sleep they need. So, one important habit you can incorporate into family life is making sure they get out in the sunshine each and every day!

The sun helps regulate our biological body clocks. Coax them outside, find something they enjoy doing that involves being outdoors! It’s has gotten harder since they have got older, there interests keep changing. But clay pigeon shooting seemed something my boys enjoyed that meant they were outdoors in the fresh air! Then hopefully they won’t battle bedtime quite so much.

Minimize Stress

My eldest has his GCSE’s this year so understandably it can be a stressful time. Teens are worried how they will do in their exams and have the big transition ahead of leaving school for college. It’s a time of great change. Parents can plan mindfulness activities to calm the mind and promote happiness. Things like working on their breathing, writing in a journal or taking a walk and really being aware of their surroundings.

Be Alcohol Aware

There is some research to suggest that children will drink more depending on your relationship with alcohol. So, it’s probably advisable to be aware of how much you drink in front of your children and how you respond when you are drinking. If you use alcohol as a coping mechanism, perhaps saying “I needed that” after a long day at work then they might start to make reward associations with drinking too. The Department of Health advises children have an alcohol-free life until the age of fifteen. Although mine have both had a drink at home, I think they are more likely to see me using a cup of tea and a slice of cake as a reward mechanism!!!

If you can think of anything else to add please leave a comment below. Each stage with children comes with its own challenges. As parents we just need to try our best to make changes that will protect the family.