by Kimberlee F Ferrell

Created on: July 24, 2008   Last Updated: August 02, 2008

As mothers, we all care about the safety and well-being of our children. We want to raise them to be healthy, productive members of society. Yet instilling good health at an early age is a daunting task. Making this even more difficult is when you yourself are not in the best of health. Here are some tips on taking care of yourself, and in turn raising healthy children.

Carve out a little "me time". Mental health is the most important part of any wellness program. If you have no desire to get up and go, to take care of yourself, and to figure out your goals, you will be hard-pressed to get your children to do the same. Take a few minutes each day to walk, write, meditate, or whatever refreshes you and prepares you for your day. Once you have learned a little self awareness, you will have the main tool you need to teach your children to do likewise.

Encourage plenty of active play time. As mothers, we often complain that we simply don't have time to exercise. However, exercising with your children will give you much more joy than spending a half-hour on a Stairmaster. Even toddlers can be incorporated in family exercise. I often did baby lifts: lie on the floor, and hold your child on your stomach. Raise them up and down slowly, as far as you can safely and comfortably do so. Your baby will love the interaction, and it's a pretty good workout for your arms. Older children love activities such as tag, jump rope, and swimming. Even if you can't calculate your calories, you'll be keeping your heart in shape.

Revamp your kitchen. Stock your shelves with healthy snacks and meals. Teach your children about the wondrous treats of sweet fruits, and that nibbling on celery and peanut butter is a pretty good snack too. Take time to read the labels in the grocery store (or the nutrition facts online, after the kids are in bed) so you know what you are feeding your children. Shop with simplicity in mind, but do not rely on frozen dinners for all your suppertime needs. Instead, go for quick and easy preparation. If you can't resist cooking a four-hour long roast, prepare enough for two or three meals so the rest can be frozen and pulled out at a later date. Homemade frozen dinners are far healthier and without unnecessary preservatives.

Be comfortable with who you are. Remind yourself and your kids that taking care of your bodies is an important task, but not to reach some unattainable level of skinniness or beauty. It is important that you not stress over how many calories are in your oatmeal. Relax, and know you are doing the best you can for your family. In the end, everyone benefits.

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