As a parent, one of your most important goals is helping your children learn to make decisions that lead to a healthy, happy lifestyle. When they’re young, your children almost always follow your example. As they get older, your children are still more likely to copy your behaviors than do what you have told them. With that in mind, Total Impact Martial Arts presents some ideas for encouraging a variety of positive, healthy habits.

Start Talking and Listening

Before your children are even capable of making decisions for themselves, talk to them about your day. Narrate your actions and explain the things that are happening around you. As you and your children grow together, practice listening and understanding. Research suggests that genuine, back-and-forth communication can help you have a positive influence.

Model, Demonstrate, and Exemplify

Model appropriate behaviors during stressful moments. For example, when your little one accidentally spills their drink, demonstrate some deep breathing or take a walk to cool down. Reinforce the idea that it’s okay to be angry, then show your child how to handle that emotion.

Modeling is an important parental tool in many areas. For example, if you have a dream to return to school and get a master’s degree in information technology, talk about that goal and then enroll in an online program. Your child will see that it’s possible to reach your dream through hard work, organization, and perseverance.

Expose your children to choices with two positive options. As you work to develop positive eating habits, for example, offer carrots or apples. Either way, your child chooses an appropriate snack and you can focus on the benefits of that snack. Whether you go for a walk or play in the pool, talk about how much fun you’re having. When you support their healthy choices, children are more likely to continue making those decisions.

There are many ways to model positive choices throughout the day:

• Buckle up when you get into the car.

• Wear a helmet when you ride your bike.

• Give up unhealthy habits, such as smoking.

• Wash your hands before eating.

• Turn off screens before going to bed. 

Share your values with your children by acting on your values in front of them and reinforcing the benefits of making healthy choices.

Get Moving

As you make exercise part of your everyday life, your children enjoy many social and emotional benefits in addition to better fitness. Physical activities lead to confidence and discipline. Martial arts, such as those taught by Nomad Kali & Combat Fitness, are particularly effective at introducing and developing important social skills:

• Increased awareness

• Enhanced focus

• Reduced stress

• Improved cooperation

• Increased respect

These are especially important skills for teens as they are faced with decisions about drugs, alcohol, and similar temptations.

Be Kind and Reset

Healthy habits affect your child in many ways. Children benefit from the confidence of making positive decisions, improve their ability to withstand peer pressure, and gain valuable leadership skills. As mistakes are made along the way, don’t forget to take some deep breaths, be kind to yourself, and get back on track.

Remember that children are more likely to develop positive habits if you have modeled those habits. Continue to keep lines of communication open and enjoy beneficial activities together. You may find that as your children become skilled at making healthy decisions, they will encourage you to continue learning and developing in positive ways.

Are you ready to introduce your children to the benefits of martial arts? Total Impact Martial Arts can help! Get in touch with us today by calling (951) 309-9470.