Every child has the right to grow in a healthy and nurturing home. But then, many first-time parents think merely having a house is enough to raise kids. Parents are often too busy providing for the family that they often forget the more important things. Kids need to grow in a home where they will feel physically, socially, and emotionally secure. What can you do to create the kind of environment that will allow kids to grow safely, healthily, and positively? Read on.
Providing a Safe and Healthy Living Safe
The first consideration parents should focus on is providing kids with a home that is comfortable, convenient, safe, and healthy. This starts with preparing the house before your first child arrives. You need to make sure the house is well-maintained, free from harmful chemicals, and have enough space where they can learn and explore.
For best results, choose child-safe cleaners or natural cleaning products. These often present no physical hazards and are perfect for kid’s sensitive skin. You can avoid kids from getting allergic reactions from chemical cleaners and have better peace of mind knowing there are fewer harmful chemicals around the house.
Invest in home improvements that will make the house a healthier place to live in. This includes avoiding materials that include Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), getting rid of molds and pests, and investing in high-quality vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, and regular HVAC maintenance.
Go for projects that will allow the kids to enjoy more natural light even when indoors. If money is not an issue, consider looking for companies that offer conservatory installation services. Adding a conservatory into your offers many benefits, like the following.
- Serve as an extra living space that you can turn into another living room, playroom, home office, or sitting room
- Bing your garden and home together
- Have an energy-efficient home extension
- Increase your home value
Don’t forget about projects that can boost the safety of your kids. Think of home improvements that will baby-proof your home. This can include adding safety locks on doors and windows, installing fences, mounting your TV, hiding power strips, and gating the kitchen.
Encourage Healthy Habits
Kids follow the footsteps of their parents. Since you are their primary role models, it becomes a must that you show them what is needed to live a healthy lifestyle. If all your kids see is you with unhealthy habits, there is a big chance they will soon pick up your unhealthy practices and it will be harder to instill healthier habits.
Start by sharing healthy meals as a family. Ask kids to help you pick healthy food items in the grocery and prepare home-cooked meals with you. Serve a colorful plate each day and treat unhealthy snacks as an occasional treat.
Make exercise and household chores fun for the whole family. Come up with fun ways to divide household chores with all members and do chores together. Don’t forget to give kids rewards to continue motivating them to do their part.
Create a regular sleep schedule to ensure all kids get enough rest and sleep. As much as possible, avoid drinking or smoking around the kids. Be consistent and make sure the kids know how important healthy habits are for growing kids like them.
Don’t forget about limiting their screen time. Set limits on their media use, explain why too much screen time is bad, and encourage physical activities. Don’t let your kid’s life evolve around technologies.
Exercise Positive Parenting
Positive parenting helps train kids to be more mindful of themselves and others. It focuses on the things that your kids did right instead of their actions that are against your rules. Positive discipline aims to teach kids right versus wrong minus the threats, physical punishment, shouting, and bribery.
To embrace positive parenting, start by choosing your words wisely. Avoid hurtful and negative comments as these will only lead to a lack of confidence and poor self-image. Instill the kind of voice that is encouraging, supportive, and accepting.
Praise and encourage your kids the right way. If they did something good or right, praise them for their accomplishment and their effort. If they fail or are throwing a fit, tell them you understand their frustration and find ways they can do better next time. Avoid comparing them to other kids and never use harsh or clipped responses.
Be affectionate and show your love to them by holding them, hugging them, telling kids how much you love them. Better yet, learn what your kids’ love languages are. This will help you better understand how you can show your love to them.
Kids deserve nothing but the best from their parents. This is why you should not simply focus on providing all of their physical needs and wants. Give them a nurturing and healthy home, and they will happy and healthy kids. Practice positive parenting, and they will be emotionally and mentally secure. Let your home be their safest sanctuary where they feel happy, safe, welcome, and loved.
