Children pick up on everything- good or bad. I am shocked everyday at the mannerisms, sayings, and behaviors my kids pick up on. Some days parenting is like looking in a mirror!
Growing up there wasn’t a real focus on health and wellness. Being active and eating healthy wasn’t a priority, so I picked up some bad habits along the way!
As an adult this has been something I enjoy and love learning more about. It amazes me how good my body feels when I take care of it through nutrition and exercise.
Because of this, my husband and I take pride in teaching our children about being healthy and exercising. Since kids are sponges and pick up on all you do, I’m thrilled to see how they are responding.
My husband and I are two-thirds of our way through P90x right now, and I should add that our kids have joined us in the journey. My 4 year old and 2 year old practice yoga and try doing several exercises with us.
As a family we also enjoy biking while our kids ride along behind us in a trailer. One of our favorite rides is to the Subway restaurant a couple miles down the road, where we stop to eat before heading to the park and then back home.
One evening while eating dinner at Subway, I joked with my husband that we are an “Ideal Subway Family” for riding our bikes to the restaurant to eat their healthy options. I brought up how grateful I am that our kids are growing up with healthy role models and being involved in healthy behaviors that can impact the rest of their lives.
I encourage you to give your kids the gift of health by modeling it for them. It will have a strong ripple effect for the whole family!
Written by Teri Claassen MSW, LCSW
Teri Claassen MSW, LCSW is a licensed therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. Teri enjoys doing marriage counseling, individual counseling, couples and relationship counseling. Teri also does family counseling, child counseling, and adolescent counseling. Imagine Hope serves the Indianapolis area, including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville, and Westfield.
