SB Parenting Archives - SB Magazine

Get Your Child Moving!

SB Magazine — Thu, 11 May 2023 13:54:53 +0000

The month of May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, which highlights the importance of physical activity and the benefits of sports participation in youth. It is vital for kids to stay physically active; however, today that may be more difficult than ever with things like virtual schooling and the increased use of smartphones. While some screen time is productive and even enjoyable, an imbalance between screen time and physical activity can be detrimental to a child’s mental and physical health.

Physical activity is beneficial as children grow, as it promotes strong muscles and bones, a healthy weight, decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and even better sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that children ages 6 to 17 should have a minimum of one hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. Unfortunately, the United States is not doing well in meeting these guidelines, with the Physical Activity Alliance’s Report Card reporting a grade of D- in 2022.

Psychological Wellbeing
Being sedentary can also negatively affect a child’s mental health. A 2021 study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health Journal found that children’s mental health is negatively impacted by too much screen time and not enough physical activity. The study notes that when kids spent more time engaged in physical activity and less time on digital devices, they had improved psychological wellbeing. Those that spent more time on screens reported feelings of anxiety and depression and even had physical manifestations such as stomach aches. Researchers also noted that when kids were sedentary, they reported lower happiness levels regardless of the amount of screen time they had. Additionally, physically active kids were more likely to be better focused and successful in school.

Choices in Physical Activities and Sports
The physical activities a child chooses depends on their personality as well as their likes and dislikes. The activities will also look different as a child grows. Preschoolers need activities that involve play and help them to develop important motor skills. Activities like playing tag, hopping on one foot, or kicking or throwing a ball all assist with developing coordination and balance. Organized, competitive team sports are not recommended until a child is a bit more physically and cognitively mature. Recommendations currently state that children should be at least eight years old to be able to handle the physical and mental stress of competitive sports. For children under the age of eight, the focus of physical activity should be on fun rather than competition.

Physical activity can be promoted through team or individual sports. Participating in sports improves strength, endurance, and fine and gross motor skills. Individual sports teach motivation and allow youth to compete at their own pace. Examples of individual sports include archery, swimming, golf, and running. Team sports, like baseball, soccer, football, basketball, and volleyball emphasize patience, communication, resilience, and collaboration with others by working together as a team.

Increased Health Benefits
If possible, youth should participate in a variety of sports for increased health benefits. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Sports Science found that youth who participated in multiple sports were more likely to take part in recreational physical activity compared to those who did not play any sports or those who participated in only one. Further, kids who played a variety of sports were found to be less prone to injury.

For the Less Athletically Inclined
It is well understood that some children may lack athletic ability, interest in physical activity or both. Further, some youth will fall into the category of being casual athletes: they may be interested in being active but may not want to be engaged in a competitive athletic environment. These less athletic youth can stay active by playing basketball in the driveway or playing catch with friends. To increase the likelihood of a non-athlete child exercising, choose activities that have the potential for lifelong enjoyment such as running, swimming, and hiking. These activities are wonderful because while they can be done individually, they also can be enjoyed with friends and family.

Parents Can Set the Stage
It is also important to remember that children learn by example and are therefore more likely to be physically active when their parents have an active lifestyle. If a parent is inactive, their child will most likely see physical activity as a low priority. Parents can prioritize being active by incorporating movement into their daily routine as a family through activities such as taking a walk after dinner, hiking, or going on bike rides. Participating in those simple activities as a family can lead children to be more active during their youth and propel them to become active adults. In a 21-year longitudinal study published in Pediatric Exercise Science Journal, youth who played sports and were physically active between the ages of nine to eighteen were five to six times more likely to be active into adulthood.

In summary, not every child will or should be a competitive athlete, but that does not mean they should not participate in team or individual sports to stay physically active. So, get your child involved in sports; participation can provide them with better physical and mental wellness, improved self-confidence, and better overall life satisfaction!

Marie Vazquez Morgan, PT, PhD, is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Wellness at LSU Health Shreveport.

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Blended Families

SB Magazine — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:05:56 +0000

Tips for navigating a new family dynamic.

The family dynamic has changed drastically over the past seven decades. In the 1960s, it was the norm for children to be born into a two parent/first marriage household. According to Pew Research, the number of traditional families dropped in the 1980 to about 61%. Today, that number is less than half. Typical families of the new millennium are a vast mixture of anything but traditional. One of the most common family types is the blended family. Blended families are family units where one or both parents have children from previous relationships, and they decide to bring their two families together to form unit.

Although making the decision to blend two families can be a wonderful experience, it does come with its share of obstacles. It’s not to say that blended families can’t work, but it is a delicate situation that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Forbes reported that there is a 74% failure rate for second marriages due to the stressors that many blended families face. Though every family is different, there are some basic things that every blended family can take into consideration when figuring out what works best for them. Here are tips for approaching the blended family dynamic:

Control your words and actions. We can’t change how others act, but we can control how we react to their words and actions. If disagreements occur with an ex, refrain from fighting or arguing in front of the children. Try getting all the adults together to have a cordial one-on-one about any issues that may exist and how everyone can come together on one page for the children. At the end of the day, the happiness and health of the children involved is a top priority. You all should make the best decisions that positively impact your family dynamic.
Help children become comfortable with the changes in their own time and way. When mom or dad begins to date again, that alone can be a huge change for children. So, imagine what a new marriage can feel like for them. Change is hard sometimes for adults to grasp and children are no different. Among other things, they may feel a sense of loyalty to their parents. As the stepparent/bonus parent, it’s important to build a rapport with the children, but remember to let them set the pace. Parents should encourage bonding with bonus moms and dads, but they should never force these changes on the children. Give them the time they need to adjust to their new dynamics.
Set and respect boundaries. One key thing to remember when forming a blended family is that these two families had their own way of life before taking the leap to merge with one another. There was a code and culture already in place which should be respected. Though things will change to accommodate the new family unit, some things may remain the same.
Check your own heart and mind before committing to a blended family. Forming a blended family can be beautiful, but it is important to remember that there are children and feelings all through the fabric of the blended family. Before you commit to anything, you should make sure that you are in a mature place mentally and emotionally for the children’s sake.

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SB PARENTING -TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR HOUSEHOLD

SB Magazine — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 21:05:02 +0000

Maintaining a household can seem like a daunting task, but with a little planning and a positive outlook, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re a working parent or stay at home parent, household management will help you run your home like a well-oiled machine.

There isn’t any magical way to weave everything together, but there are a few tips that any parent can keep in mind when attempting to figure out what works for their family. It will usually involve a bit of trial and error that will all be worth it in the end.

Focus on these four areas to improve your household management: Cleaning, Preparing Meals, Delegating Tasks, and Establishing Routines.

CLEANING

The best thing to do is to break everything down into smaller pieces. Start by making a list of what needs to be done. Write out what needs to be cleaned daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonally. From there, plan out what days each task will get tackled. For example, Mondays can be cleaning bathrooms, Saturday can be changing linens, and the last Friday of the month can be reserved for cleaning baseboards.

PREPARING MEALS

It’s always easier to know what you’re going to cook or to have some meals prepped and ready to go. Making meals ahead of time in a slow cooker or using an instant pot are both great time savers. So is freezing meals ahead of time and some meals that keep well are lasagna and casseroles. One fun idea for choosing meals for the week is having everyone in the family write some of their favorites on pieces of paper and put in a jar. Each week 7 meals are picked from the jar and assigned days for prepping and cooking. No guessing or fussing!

DELEGATING TASKS

Remember when it comes to managing your home, no one can do everything alone. It’s important to delegate certain tasks to children and spouses/partners. This will not only ease the weight of trying to be a superhero, but also teaches responsibility to children and teens. For example, younger children can perform tasks like walking pets, picking up things laying around like toys or shoes, taking out trash, loading/unloading the laundry, or loading/unloading the dishwasher.

If children are old enough to handle the task, then they are old enough to help. They may be too young to fold bed sheets, but there’s nothing stopping them from folding towels or matching socks. Older kids can help with prepping or even preparing meals. Sometimes we don’t realize how helpful it is for the veggies to be chopped ahead of time or for the meals to at least be in process by the time we make it to the kitchen. Delegating tasks to others doesn’t have to seem like punishment for them or mean a lack of ability on your part. Everyone is living together in the home; therefore, everyone should have a hand in helping it function properly.

CREATING ROUTINES

Another great way to help your home run more smoothly is by creating routines. Keeping your family on a schedule or routine is one of the greatest helps you can ever have, especially if your family is always on the go with extracurricular activities. Routines help develop structure for yourself as well as your family. When solid routines are in order, things don’t feel so chaotic and all over the place. The kids know where they should be and what they should be doing; parents find themselves not yelling as much or feeling less frazzled. With routines it’s less likely that certain things don’t pile up on you. It’s so easy to say “I’ll do it later or tomorrow.” Next thing you know, you’ve said “I’ll do it later” 15 times and now that tiny mole hill is a huge mountain.

Running your home is important, but don’t forget that having a happy family means more than anything. Set those routines, delegate those tasks, make those lists, and don’t forget that your kids are only kids for a certain amount of time. In between all the cleaning and meals, remember to cherish your time together.

BY URSULA BRANTLEY

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