Being a parent isn’t easy. Between worrying about your children’s health and wellbeing and whether you’ll have enough money to send them to college, sometimes you can feel overstretched and overwhelmed. But good parenting isn’t just about the big opportunities you can give your children or the shiny new things you buy them. Being a good parent is about making sure that your child gets the love and attention they deserve, while looking out for their health and happiness.
Take your children for regular eye exams – About one quarter of all school-aged children have vision problems that in many cases go unnoticed. But early identification of a child’s vision problem can be crucial as are children often more responsive to treatment when problems are diagnosed early. If your child has impaired vision then it can lead to diminished confidence and slipping grades. Make sure you take them for regular eye examinations to avoid this.
Teach them to brush their teeth properly – We don’t always give much thought to the way we brush our teeth, but it’s vital in avoiding cavities and costly treatments later on. According to dentists, only about 10% of children actually know how to clean their teeth correctly, so if you’re not sure whether you know or not, then ask your child’s dentist to show you. They can also recommend a toothbrush suitable for children and a toothpaste that’s meant for their age.
Take care of their feet – Buying the right shoes and making sure that the size fits correctly is crucial to the healthy development of your child’s feet. As children play and consume a lot of energy, it’s especially important to make sure that they avoid any problems with the way they walk or their posture early on. If your child needs to correct any issues, orthotic arch supports will help.
The right nutrition – While it can be hard to find the time to cook a decent meal every day, keep in mind that your children’s bodies are growing and they need a balanced diet to stay strong and healthy, develop a good immune system and stay alert and focused. It’s OK to go to McDonald’s every now and again, but nothing beats good home-cooking.
Encourage sporting behavior – While the X-box may be great for some forms of learning and play, video games are never a substitute for sport, so try to find one that your child enjoys. Take them to the playground or park and let them run around, making sure they use powerstep insoles in their sneakers to reduce any impact from running or jumping on hard surfaces, as this can cause shin splints.
Look after their health, care about their problems, encourage them in their hobbies and be there when they need you. Sure, your kids might complain for a moment, but they’ll thank you in the long run.
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Michael Peggs is the founder of content marketing agency and SEO agency Marccx
Media, where they specialize in SEO and Content Marketing. Before Marcxx, Peggs
worked at Google in business development, forming digital media and advertising
partnerships. He is also a blogger and podcaster, hosting the iTunes Top 10 New &
Noteworthy podcast You University – The Personal Branding Podcast.
