We know that kids are spending too much time on devices and many children are not getting their recommended amount of daily exercise in either. This may or may not affect your children but if your child is sitting on devices for hours at a time or not getting adequate exercise you could be encouraging them to have unhealthy habits not just for now, but for the immediate future. Children weren’t born looking to spend hours on devices and as parents, it is vital that we have boundaries for our children’s screen time and habits. If this means unpopular parenting, then so be it, as children need to be healthy. Without exercise, children are more prone to being overweight and they are at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Here are a few tips on encouraging the kids to be healthy and active. 

Be a good role model and teach your children how to be active by constantly encouraging exercise. Perhaps, you are exhausted after working all day, but you can and should fit in a half hour to go for a walk. The dark nights are coming in but invest in proper fluorescent clothing and get the kids out on their bikes once they have lights on their bikes. Don’t be influenced by the bad weather – it is Ireland after all! Waiting for a good evening may never come. Don’t sit down and watch TV for hours with the kids playing on devices. Wait until the kids are in bed to watch TV and play with them outside. Walk to school and instead of taking the car to nip to the shops walk and take advantage of every bit of activity. 

Don’t take the easy route and leave kids on their tablets because they are “quiet” it is easy for your child to get into bad habits if left to themselves. Parenting is hard, and I totally get how parents are tired and busy, but kids need to be active so by any method you can get them to move is good. Bring them swimming instead of watching TV and make a pact on the weekends that you all do something active as a family regardless of the bad weather. Invest in rain clothes and good boots! 

Encourage games and clubs as children learn so much from being a part of a team. It encourages them to train too and these lessons could be once or twice a week adding to their daily activities. 

Eat well as a family and keep treats to the weekend or on special occasions. Teach your children about food and get them involved in food preparation too. 

Remind children about the importance of keeping their body healthy and how some foods are good, but others are bad for it. Keep school lunches as healthy as possible and reduce processed foods or packaged goods in their daily diet. Offer lots of fresh fruit and vegetables from a young age. 

Get everyone in your family involved and make it a priority to be healthier and more active. I promise you will feel better for it!