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In my practice, I notice that families in which the adults make efforts to eat healthy and stay active are the ones who are most successful in fostering healthy habits in their children.
The words and actions of parents reflect directly in their children. Children absorb so much from the world, and parents are their most influential role models. While you can’t be there for every choice and decision your child makes, teaching them good habits and explaining the “why” behind everything will help ensure your child thrives.
Focus on the basics
The most important thing is to focus on the basics: good nutrition, daily structure and play time outside are the bedrock to raising healthy kids.
Back-to-school stress
My suggestion is to remember when you were a kid yourself! School can be a challenging environment for kids, even in the best circumstances. The stress that children face is real, so we encourage parents to stay aware of how their children are feeling. Make time after school to talk with your children to hear the good and the bad about their school day. Kids are tough and can handle change better than we give them credit for, so rather than focusing on the difficulties of a new school year, remind them of the positive aspects of seeing their peers and learning new things from their teachers. Spending time outdoors during these late summer days can serve as a wonderful break from computer screens, headphones and virtual learning.
Illness
Schools are under tremendous pressure to keep their students safe. If you are ever concerned about your child being sick, consider contacting your pediatrician’s office for help. Doctors and teachers both want kids to remain healthy so they can make the most of this school year. At Aspen Valley Primary Care, we offer our patients a 24/7 phone line so they can get their concerns answered any time of day. Oftentimes a little reassurance goes a long way to easing parental concerns, just knowing that someone will be at the end of the phone when they are unsure.
Managing expectations
Prepare your child for changes that may occur so that any local public health advice will not come as a total surprise. Communication is key to helping your child feel included in the process.
Should parents have concerns about having eligible children vaccinated against the coronavirus?
The vaccine is perhaps the most effective tool we have against the virus. Fortunately, it has been shown to be impressively safe after over 25 million doses administered in the U.S. pediatric population. It is disheartening to see pediatric vaccination rates lag behind other age groups. The risk of COVID has only grown since the beginning of the pandemic, while our tactics for battling it have stayed largely the same. I encourage parents to discuss any vaccine concerns with their pediatrician.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity is a serious problem. How can parents help children maintain a healthy weight?
The most practical advice I can offer is to have family mealtime together at home and to include children of all ages in cooking to help them develop a positive relationship with food. In my practice, I notice that families in which the adults make efforts to eat healthy and stay active are the ones who are most successful in fostering healthy habits in their children.
How can AVH and its broader Network of Care support children and parents?
Aspen Valley Primary Care is poised to take care of your whole family — thanks to our team of family medicine physicians, pediatricians, physician assistants and pharmacists. Our clinic accounts for individual patient needs rather than taking a cookie-cutter approach to healthcare. AVH also has ear/nose/throat specialists, eye specialists, behavioral health specialists, rehabilitation services, after-hours care and nutritionist services all practically under one roof. These teams are all equipped for and, more importantly, enthusiastic about pediatric care.
