“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” Mahatma Gandhi.
Leading by example; a well known proverb and a tried and tested process of bringing out the best in others. And for parents, the desire lies in bringing out the best in your children. The desire for them to lead a safe, happy and healthy life.<a href=”http://www.bodyburn.com.au/the-benefits-of-exposing-your-child-to-the-fit-healthy-lifestyle-you-lead/fitnessbaby5/” rel=”attachment wp-att-1320″><img class=”size-medium wp-image-1320 alignright” src=”http://www.bodyburn.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/fitnessbaby5-300×200.jpg” alt=”” width=”300″ height=”200″ />
</a>From the very moment you welcome your baby into this world, you obtain an amazing power. We see this power in practice as children push their dollies around in prams, use the TV remote as a mobile phone and hammer away at their toy cars after watching dad in the garage. They do what you do. This extremely influential power is known in Psychology as Social Influence.
“Social influence is defined as change in an individual’s thoughts, feelings, attitudes, or behaviours that results from interaction with another individual or a group” explains Lisa Walker, Professor of Sociology and Organizational Science at The University of North Carolina. However, it is very different from conformity, power, and authority. “It is the process by which individuals make real changes to their feelings and behaviors as a result of interaction with others who are perceived to be similar, desirable, or expert”. Children look up to their parents, learn about life from their parents, perceive right and wrong through the ideals of their parents. Therefore, without even purposefully pushing an idea, opinion or process upon them, your children will readily adapt their thoughts and actions to reflect your own.
<a href=”http://www.bodyburn.com.au/the-benefits-of-exposing-your-child-to-the-fit-healthy-lifestyle-you-lead/mumdaughterpushup/” rel=”attachment wp-att-1321″><img class=”alignleft size-medium wp-image-1321″ src=”http://www.bodyburn.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/mumdaughterpushup-300×200.jpg” alt=”” width=”300″ height=”200″ /></a>It is not breaking news that a poor diet, lack of physical activity and unhealthy habits create a myriad of life-threatening issues, both in adults and children. We also know that establishing different routines, changing ingrained behaviours and learning new and foreign skills is far more difficult the older we get. Therefore, it is so important to demonstrate the habits required to lead a healthy life when your child is young. They are moving through such an integral stage of human development. Acquiring such knowledge and skills at this early time in their lives ensures children can incorporate active and healthy practices with ease, and sustain these practices throughout adulthood.
As with everything, we need balance. Don’t expect your child to be eagerly following you on your 5km runs or becoming instantly obsessed with ranking the highest in their local sports team. Make it fun. Make it easy. Make it life! Robert Reames, Certified Personal Trainer, Nutritionist and Corrective Exercise Specialist reveals not only will you and your family get fit, but engaging in social physical activity “establishes a great sense of camaraderie, companionship and a time for bonding”. These activities help ”put the focus on being the best that you can be on a given day in an activity that you are passionate about.” A socially active lifestyle provides great opportunities for parents to raise emotionally intelligent and resilient children.
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Make healthy options available to your children, and practice what your preach. Instead of telling your kids no more cookies, replace the cookie jar with a fruit bowl. Instead of loading up the car, get active and walk to the shops. Show your kids how good life can be with exercise and a healthy diet. Act out the life you wish for your child. Before you know it, you won’t be acting. You’ll be living it.