Having a self absorbed teen in the house can be emotionally exhausting as she stares for many hours in the mirror, and everything becomes about her or appears to be twisted that way. This slender whisp of feminine possibility imagines spots where there is the tiniest blemish and continually sees herself as “fat”.
She wants to be blonde, and thinner. This is from a Snow White clone with white skin and dark glossy reddy brown hair!!! And freckles. If any of you remember Punky Brewster – think a slightly older Punky… ( she would kill me if she knew I said this!!)
After listening to her I realised how the images these young drink in are influenced by whom they see. Not real people they meet and chat with, but “celebrities” who we have no control over. This is sneaky mum talking here. When one of mine is troubled, when they stop listening to me, I inveigle one of their siblings to “talk” with them. being younger and inevitably “coller”, I manage to get my point across and reinforced. I am well aware not everyone has the same resources to call on.
I have a weight goal, and a fitness goal, currently. I go to the gym every work day ( I am up before the universe wakes and I am there and working out) and go from there to work and home again. I am careful with what I ingest. Clothes are skimming me better, people are commenting on how well I look, but because the scales have barely moved downwards I almost feel like a failure. This got me thinking about how programmed we are to see certain things. And to be a certain way.
What this has done is have me examine some simple steps to a healthier family. And if it benefits me someone out there can use these lessons. Looking after yourself as a parent helps you manage stress but also sets a great example for younglings.
- BE ACTIVE!! In families where both parents are active, 95% of children are active also. Try to plan family activities around a fitness activity – kayaking, bike riding, especially if these are outdoors. Time spent outdoors has long been associated with higher activity levels in children.
- ATTACK SNACKS. Children will eat – and grow to like – whatever food is available. around the house. Always have out on display a bowl of the freshest seasonal fruits and encourage them to pick to their hearts content. Make ice cream, lollies and chips the rarest of treats.
- BAN SILLY REWARDS. Giving sugary treats as a reward for eating their healthy part of the meal may be giving younglings the wrong idea. Maybe they will think that if they have to be bribed to eat it, it can’t be that good. That also means they end up regarding he reward food as “good.”
- INVOLVE YOUNGLINGS. Include the children in meal planning. Geni will sit with me and plan a week’ s meals and snacks. By feeling her choices and opinions count, she eats the food we buy and doesn;t throw it away – nor does it grow mouldy in a bag or a drawer or under the bed! This also encourages her to eat a wider range of foods.
- BREAKFAST RULES. Skipping breakfast has been related to weight issues in children and can have an effect on their concentration at school. Don’t let anyone leave the house
Hope this helps!!!
I do/have done/will do again, ‘most all of the suggestions you have on your list. Another easy, healthy snack, (especially if you have ‘cruisers’ who snack continuously) is a mason jar half filled with ice water and celery sticks, and a bowl of ‘carrot coins’ left on the counter. My younglings Loved them!
Take care~ Gina
I love this advice….Yumm!!