Women’s Health Blog

Hobbies are Healthy
Hobbies benefit children in many ways. It gives a child an opportunity to express themselves, and it allows them to discover themselves and build self-esteem. They are also great educational tools. A child interested in rock collecting learns about geology and science, and a child in writing stories learns about sentence structure and proper grammar. Hobbies teach children to set and achieve goals, solve problems and make decisions. They can also set the course for what your child becomes later in life as they often turn into lifelong interests or careers.
Children who have hobbies are usually following in their parents footsteps, so set a good example by pursuing your own hobby. Your child will need space for their hobby, so find an area designated specifically for his hobby so he can work on it. Realize that hobbies can sometimes be quite messy, so be at the ready for messes as they come with the territory.

Be available to your child to provide guidance, support and encouragement. This is a great time to teach your child strong work habits, such as following directions closely, setting goals, and proper planning and organization. Show them that nothing worthwhile is ever easy, especially when they begin to become frustrated with their progress. It’s also a good time to teach them about personal responsibility and show them how important it is to properly care for their work area and their ‘tools of the trade.’

Children will be more encouraged to work on their hobbies if activities like watching television or playing video games are limited. It’s been noted by experts that by age 15, the average child has spent more time watching television than sitting in a classroom. Again, here’s where setting a good example is crucial. Instead of watching that four-hour football game on Saturday, turn the TV off and work on your own hobby. Your child may want to join in or work on their own as a result.

Hobbies are rewarding and enriching parts of our lives, so encourage your child to explore his own interests and find a hobby of their very own.

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Thumb sucking is a concern many parents have. Toddlers suck their thumbs because it’s comforting and calming. It’s probably something they did before they were born and revert back to it when they are nervous, agitated, scared or ill. They may also use it to lull themselves back to sleep in the middle of the night.

Parents shouldn’t concern themselves unless it continues after the age their permanent teeth begin to appear, around six years old. Experts say that it’s the intensity of the thumb sucking and the tongue’s thrust that deforms teeth and makes braces necessary later. Children who rest their thumb passively in their mouth are less likely to have difficulty than children who suck aggressively. If you’re concerned, closely monitor your child and analyze his technique. If they appears to be sucking vigorously, you may want to begin curbing their habit earlier.

Punishing or nagging your child to stop won’t help because it’s usually an automatic response. Attempting to curb it by putting an elastic bandage on his thumb or another method will seem like unjust punishment, especially since they indulge in the habit for comfort and security.

Try to wait it out. Children usually give up thumb-sucking when they’ve found other ways to calm and comfort themselves. Consider offering them other alternatives to comfort themselves such as a soft blanket or lullaby toy

The key is to notice when and where they are likely to suck their thumbs and offer an alternative. If it happens while they are tired, try giving more naps. If they suck their thumb frequently while watching television, try to distract them with a toy that will keep their hands occupied.

Older children may need gentle reminders to curtail thumb sucking while in public, and praise should be given freely when the child finds and uses an acceptable alternative. Your child’s pediatric dentist can offer other suggestions for helping your child kick the thumb sucking habit.

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       Television is

 

        For most children, watching TV involves more than just viewing cartoons.  It means playing video games, watching music videos, watching videotapes, and general channel surfing.  It has been estimated that the average American watches as much as four hours of television a day—a large amount, by any measurement.  Children’s dependence on television may be difficult to break, given the fact that television is so much a part of the American culture. 

        There are other reasons why television may promote obesity.  Children’s programming is filled with commercials touting sugary cereals and candy bars.  It has been shown that children are heavily influenced by television advertising; therefore, they are far more likely to indulge in sweets after watching television on a Saturday  morning.   Since freedom of speech makes it difficult to ban commercials featuring non-nutritious foods, it is up to parents to monitor their children’s television viewing.  Also, parents need to steer clear of the sugary cereal aisle when going grocery shopping. 

       Another reason that television is linked to obesity is because it promotes inactivity.  Many people watch television by lounging on a sofa, bed, or futon.  They can burn few calories in a prone position.  Also, the fact that they’re watching television means that they are not engaging in physical activities such as exercise.  Television promotes a sedentary lifestyle that leads to additional weight gain. 

        But how can you effectively fight television?  Some families have actually thrown out their TVs in the ultimate show of defiance.  If you aren’t ready to take such a drastic step, you might consider limiting your family’s viewing time to a single hour each day.  Another idea is to hold a “no TV” night where you encourage your children to engage in sports, games, and other activities.  Forcing your children to plan their viewing can be another effective step.  That way, they won’t waste precious time cruising through the TV channels. 

       It is true that television cannot shoulder the entire blame for childhood obesity.  However, medical research has now shown it is a contributing factor.  There are also indications that excessive computer use can also contribute to weight gain.  In fact, this might be the major health issue of the future, since so many children are doing their research on line and typing their reports using computer keyboards.   

      As a parent, in order to ensure that your children are a healthy weight, you have to be actively involved in their lives.  Monitor not only what your children are watching, but also what they are eating.  Encourage healthy snacks whenever possible, and discourage snacking while watching television.  Requiring your children to eat at the dining room table rather than in front of the television can also be an important step.    In the end, being involved in your children’s weight reduction program is the key to ensuring that they lead healthy lives.

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