2014! It’s a New Year

There is just something about beginning a new calendar year. It brings back memories for me of the start of a new school year. New binder, new spiral notebooks, pencils, and Blue Horse notebook paper. School supplies not only WERE new, but they smelled, felt, and looked new.  New beginnings.

I’ve considered what a new year might mean to the parents and loved ones of an infant, baby, creeper, toddler, three-year-old, or preschooler.

Perhaps you resolve to be more patient, more involved, a better planner, more organized.

Whatever the beginning of a new year means to you, some positive encouragement always helps. I know it helps me to read inspirational articles about what others have accomplished. Posts on FaceBook are often just what I need to inspire and encourage me. Even (or perhaps especially) when I am able to be an encouragement to someone else, it lifts my lagging spirit.

Just this morning, I came across a post that all parents should consider. “Dear adults, Please don’t discuss your weight loss resolutions in front of me. Teach me to eat healthy, not to be self-conscious. Sincerely, A Girl.”  Perhaps this is more important for daughters, but also for sons. The increased awareness of even some four-year-olds on the outward appearance should be a concern for every parent of a young child.

How do you view yourself?  How many times do you grumble about how “fat” you look or feel?  Have you ever changed an outfit just before leaving home because you didn’t like the way the current one made you look or feel?  Do you discuss in front of your child how much weight you need to lose?  Have you spoken disparagingly about someone who is overweight?

Instead of talking about how much you or someone else needs to lose, why not discuss the changes you are going to make in what you eat and how much you plan to exercise in order to be more healthy. Involve your child in helping think of things you can do to add exercise to your day. That could mean joining a gym or perhaps making simple changes like parking farther from the front of a store or taking stairs instead of elevators or escalators.

Serve healthier snack foods, too. Ditch the fatty, salty, high-calorie, nutrient-free foods you may tend to munch on and let your child see you enjoying crunchy veggies and fruit. It may take some time to break old habits, but certainly worth the effort in the long run…for both of you.  If you give choices of several healthy snacks, it will still allow your youngster to feel in control of what goes into that little mouth. A pantry free of bad choices makes your resolve stronger.

God bless your efforts in 2014.  Happy parenting. Happy New Year!

© 2014 Brenda Holland-Robinson