Parents

Believe it or not, you impart a legacy of health to your children that goes well beyond the genes you give them. You also pass along health beliefs and model health-related choices. Here are 5 tips that will set your kids up on a path towards a healthy life.


1. Instill a sense of wonder about the body.


Many adults fear and distrust their bodies. They believe that the body is fragile, and illness is just around the corner. The myth that you will catch a cold if you go outside without a coat persists. Your kids are listening when you look in the mirror and say to no one in particular, “I’m so fat.”


The truth is your body is the most miraculous mechanical system on the planet. Cuts heal without a single thought or action on your part. Your immune system is your own personal homeland security system, protecting you from bacterial and viral terrorists. Yes, illness is part of the human condition. And we have powerful treatments that add to your body’s own ability to heal. Look at your body’s ability to battle illnesses, such as the common cold. This alone offers concrete evidence of your body’s resiliency.


Comment on your child’s amazing body. “Wow, that cut healed in no time!” or “You have such strong fast legs” or “Look at what your hands have been able to draw.” Remind your child how great it is to have eyes and kidneys and hearts that work so well.


2. Become a student of the human body with your child.


Your kids will come to you with questions about how their bodies work. It can be uncomfortable for both you and your child when you don’t have the answers. This discomfort can teach children that they should avoid questions about how their bodies work, which may, in part, explain why parents themselves are reluctant to ask doctors embarrassing questions.


Remember, no one has all the answers. That’s why your doctor participates in continuing medical education. Your child can remind you of the joy of discovery. Together you can look for answers. I mentioned to my son that bones make blood and he asked, “What about creatures with exoskeletons?” I said, “What an interesting question. Let’s get on the Internet and see what we can find out.” Have a child-appropriate book about the body available and learn and use anatomically correct words. Maybe you can have a family contest to come up with the coolest medical term.


3. Teach your kids to listen to their bodies.


Often it feels as if adults are rewarded for ignoring or overcoming the signals from their bodies. The “hero” who comes to work with the flu or the mom who ignores her need for food or sleep. Health is maintained when you know the signals that suggest your body is out of balance and respond in a timely manner when your body indicates it needs something.


Help your kids identify when they’re cold or hungry or tired. You can say even to an infant, “You look hot, so I’m taking off the blanket.” Give your child some experience regulating his external environment like taking on and off sweaters. Educate your children that pain is there to keep them safe. Say, “Owies are no fun, but they’re there to keep you from burning yourself on the stove or cutting yourself with a knife. That’s how your body reminds you to be careful.”


4. Model healthy eating habits.


Childhood obesity is a growing problem. Talk with your kids about good food choices and bad ones. Encourage them to ask themselves, “What kind of food is my body hungry for right now?’ and “Am I full?” even if there’s still food on the plate. Pay attention to see if your child is a “grazer” or a 3-squares-a-day kid and set an eating schedule that reflects their style. Decide whether it’s OK to indulge in unhealthy food choices now and then. When I inquired about the nutritional value of my son’s snack of donuts, he said, “It’s health food for the soul!”


5. Reward health rather than illness.


Some of my best childhood memories come from times when I was sick. In an effort to ease my pain, my mother unwittingly rewarded illness by lavishing attention on me, delivering endless bowls of ice cream and playing games with me. Who wouldn’t want to be sick!


Instead, lavish attention on your kids when they’re well. While you don’t want to punish your kids for being sick, consider which privileges of health should be withdrawn during sick days.


When you instill in your children a sense of pride, wonder and respect for their bodies, you have given them the foundation of health.

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Tejas got a call from his mom; from her panicked voice he got an idea that something was terribly wrong at home. Soon after he got to know that his dad met with an accident at home injuring his hip. Tejas works in Mumbai and now has to rush home to Nasik where his parents are residing. Tejas’s dad is in the hospital and has to be operated as his hip joint is completely damaged.

Tejas is in big trouble as he is worried about the huge expense that is required for the surgery. Somehow with relatives and friends help he managed to gather the money for the surgery after two days. Soon his dad was discharged home and Tejas realized that he made a mistake of not having a health insurance policy for his parents. If he would have had insurance for his parents, he wouldn’t have had to borrow from others.

Tejas immediately rectified his mistake by getting insurance for his parents. You can avoid a similar situation like Tejas, if you insure your parents with health insurance.

What does Health Insurance do?

Health insurance is an insurance that covers your medical expenditure. Life is not predictable and uncertain events can occur anywhere and anytime. In such times, if a person is secured with health insurance he will get the timely medical treatment and also doesn’t have to worry about the huge expense which is required for the treatment. It is always safe to secure your health, no matter of your age!

Why is Health insurance a must for your parents?

Your parents were there with you in all walks of life. They sat next to you when you were down with fever and also ran behind to when you were playing. They took care of you so that you don’t fall and face any kind of difficulties. But what are you doing in return? The best way to secure your parents against the future health problems is buying a health insurance policy for them.

But, why do we need health insurance for our parents?

Rising Medical Costs: The medical costs are rising with alarming rate with the advancement of science and technology. Even when you are down with cold and cough you have to spend hundreds of rupees to consult a doctor. Then think about the major health crisis which can arise anytime in old age. During such times, health insurance can always help you and avert the pressure of making dent in your pocket.

Affordability: You make think that my parents are always fit and hearty. Why should they buy health insurance for themselves? How much ever fit and healthy they are but one thing you cannot be sure is of the uncertainty which might knock your doors and ruin your life. The high medical costs make it difficult even for rich person to empty his savings.  If you have a health insurance for your parents and in future if they suffer from any major disease then with the help health insurance you can treat them without spending a penny of yours. To read more about Health Insurance- A must for your Parents

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Transition between seasons can shake your kids’ health a bit and make them more prone to seasonal allergies. These allergic reactions vary from ragweed allergy, mites, dust, mold, and some foods. It is often very hard to keep track of allergies symptoms with children who may catch it in school or while they are playing outside.

Studies have shown that allergic reactions may be hereditary. In case both parents have allergies, there is a about an 80% chance that their children will develop allergies too. Most children show symptoms of seasonal allergies once they reach 5 years olds. Asthma is often an indicator of allergies and often start to show when they are between 1 to 3 years old.

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergy

Parents can look for three kinds of symptoms when they suspect that their kids are suffering from seasonal allergy:

* Nasal – They will have stuffy or runny nose, sneeze a lot, and have itchy nose and throat. Just like allergic rhinitis.
* Eye Symptoms – There is often redness, itchiness, and watery eyes which can make your kids really uncomfortable.
* Asthma – Watch if your kids will have difficulty breathing or when you hear some wheezing or coughing.

Tree pollens, grasses, and ragweed often cause these allergic reactions. Tree pollens are very abundant in the air between April and June. Grasses like Rye, Timothy, and Orchard trigger reactions when they are mowed. Ragweed grows almost everywhere and billions of pollens can travel in the air starting mid-August.

Protect your children from seasonal allergies

Parents should always keep track of the level of pollen in your city or region. These indices can be found on the internet and are seen on TV reports.

It will be best to keep your doors and windows shut during the pollen season to prevent these allergens from entering your home.

You can also set up a play pen inside your home instead of kids spending time outdoors where they can be exposed to ragweed and other allergens. The sun can also aggravate their photosensitivity when they have ragweed allergy.

Remember to keep all surfaces clean of dust. You can get an air filter to make sure that your kids breathe clean air.

In case they still catch seasonal allergies, you can try the following to relieve them of the symptoms:

* A warm bath always helps. You can also apply warm compress to decongest their nose and sinuses.
* Encourage them to drink a lot of water throughout the day. A cup of tea with honey can also soothe their itchy throat.
* Tell your kids not to scratch their eyes since this will just worsen the condition. Try to apply cold compress to decrease inflammation or wipe them with wet cotton pads.
* A dab of petroleum jelly can help with their red or swollen nose
* Add some ginger, garlic, or pepper when you serve a bowl of soup. These are natural decongestants to clear their airways.
* You can dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in a glass of water which your kids can use to gargle with to relieve their sore throats.

Allergies can be fatal when you do not do something about it. Seek the guidance of your pediatrician if your children will need some medications for their allergies.

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