Hopefully you completed the questions on session #1, if not, please do so before starting today's session. Yesterday we talked about what a healthy lifestyle means to you and your family. You identified some positive behaviors in your home that support a healthy lifestyle and you identified some behaviors you would like to change. Keep your answers from session #1, we will be using them in the next few days.
Today our objective is to discuss the power of a family culture.
The Culture of Your Family
Children learn by modeling the behavior of their parents. By maintaining a physically active lifestyle with your family you can improve the health of your child while preventing him or her from developing a lifestyle of sedentary behavior.
Studies have shown the key to raising healthy children into healthy adults is taking a whole-family approach. It’s the “practice what you preach” mentality.
In addition while spending quality time together strong family relationships are formed and this is one of the cornerstones of health and well-being, and few relationships are as important as those between parents and children.
Your participation, action and attitude about exercise, impacts your children.
People in the same family tend to have similar:
- Eating patterns
- Maintain the same levels of physical activity
- Adopt the same attitudes toward a lifestyle they are accustomed to living
Parents are the most important influence in their children’s lives. Kids observe and imitate their parents, so make sure you set a healthy example. Make healthy daily food and physical activity choices in order to send your children a positive message.
Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.
1. How do you feel about food?
2. How do you feel about exercise?
3. What type of role model are you?
4. Do you smoke?
5.Do you drink alcohol in front of your children?
6. How much television do you watch per day?
7. How do you handle stressful situations within your family?
8. Would your children describe you as being positive or a negative parent?
9. How many times per day do you spend talking to your children one-on- one?
10. What family traditions do you teach your family?
Homework Assignment:
Ask your kids to imitate you. Not to make fun of you but to understand some of the messages you send to your children verbally or non-verbally. Don't become defensive, just observe their interpretation of you...its enlightening!
Meditate on this thought:
Home is to inspire and motivate parents to create their own unique family culture that supports eating healthy foods, being physically active as a family and making the most of your time together. In five years, you won't remember much about the day to day events of work, school, and activities. But your family will remember "traditions" that kept you close. And they will probably plan those kinds of family nights for their families in the future. Unfortunately, the clock is ticking and each day we come closer to our children heading off to college, getting married, and having their own responsibilities. Looking back on family activities will be a great memory for everyone. Not to mention the impact it will have today, to bring your family in a little closer and enjoy each other's company now, while you are all under the same roof.
copyright © Fit American Families 2012
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