Focus on Children – Special Bonus-Size Edition
As summer swims towards Labor Day, parents begin to think about “Back to School”, encouraged by sales promotions and bargain offers on school supplies. But are our children getting “short-changed” when it comes to their well-being?
When it comes to physical health, there is the need for regular pediatric check-ups, dental visits, and eye exams. In addition, there are safety issues like always using an appropriate car seat or booster, and seatbelt when children ride in motor vehicles; sun and water safety ~ sunscreen, swimming lessons, etc.; home, school, and playground safety. Nutrition for good health is an issue making news both for children and adults. With eating disorders and obesity both on the rise, there is a need for accurate information and appropriate guidance. Dietician Ellen Satter has written several books offering excellent advice to parents regarding children and food issues. One of the key principles she states in her book, How To Get Your Kid To Eat . . . But Not Too Much is: “Parents are responsible for what is presented to eat and the manner in which it is presented Children are responsible for how much and even whether they eat.” This division of responsibility lays the groundwork for a respectful relationship between parent and child and minimizes power struggles that can lead to eating disorders of all kinds. Also recommended, Feeding Your Child For Life And Health by Susan Roberts, Ph.D., Melvin Heyman, Ph.D.
School lunches are a national disaster. High in calories, fat, sugar, sodium and low in fiber and nutrients, these meals encourage over-consumption of refined food and create cravings for foods that are nutrient-depleted. Contact the Center for Science in the Public Interest at:
| 1875 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20009 Main switchboard: (202) 332-9110 Fax: (202) 265-4954 General e-mail address: cspi@cspinet.org |
to learn how you can make a difference in improving school lunches and in changing the soda-filled vending machines which are adding hundreds of empty calories to children’s diets daily.
The issue of physical activity is another area where, like healthy eating, good role modeling leads the way. Being involved with children in physical activities like going on nature walks, swimming together, shooting hoops, etc. not only contributes to the physical fitness of both parent and child, but children report that they find this much more supportive than having their parents as spectators at their games. Limiting time with television and computers has been shown to be highly correlated with improvements in fitness and a decrease in childhood obesity.
Another issue affecting children’s fitness has been the reduction in physical education classes in the schools. While no one wants to return to old style “phys ed” classes that shamed less athletic students, and led to a sedentary rebellion against movement, more enlightened physical education programs can encourage a life long love of physical activity by making fitness fun.
Sadly, it seems too little value is placed on our children and those who care for and influence them. Most teachers work at least one or two additional jobs to supplement their income, and often purchase needed school supplies out of their meager salaries to provide students with needed materials. Some of the most gifted teachers are forced to leave the field altogether because they simply cannot earn a living in the teaching profession.
If challenges in physical and educational well-being were not enough, parents and children face complex issues around emotional health and spiritual well-being. Bullying, violence, and terrorism are a part of modern life and often leave families puzzled about how to handle these issues.
In my work over the years with trauma survivors, I have seen first hand the devastating consequences of childhood neglect and abuse, which leave a legacy of problems ranging from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems; difficulty with self-care; and on-going struggles not to pass on this legacy to their own children. If you are struggling with issues around parenting, please contact your pediatrician, local mental health care center, and local parenting support group (contact social services for guidance).
Parenting is the toughest job there is. Children are our most valuable assets. Commit to doing whatever it takes to assure the well-being of our future.