Most parents strive to make the lives of their children better even if it means sacrificing their own well-being. Although you should certainly look out for yourself, here are a few ways you can dedicate your time to helping your child grow up healthy and happy.
1. Make Regularly Scheduled Dental Appointments
Many adults discuss how they wish they had taken better care of their teeth as they grew up. Most dentists recommend taking children for routine exams every six months. It is even advisable to schedule a visit when the baby’s first tooth arrives. From there, any signs of tooth decay such as bleeding gums or excessive stains should warrant a trip to the clinic. With more options than ever before, it is very easy to find a trustworthy pediatric dentist Jacksonville FL.
Obviously, it is also crucial to take care of their oral hygiene at home. Kids should be brushing twice a day along with flossing and rinsing with mouthwash.
2. Sign Them Up for Sports Leagues
According to Stanford University’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, playing organized sports lead to the following advantages for youth:
- Better vision
- Healthy weight
- Motor skills development
- Social skills development
- Self-confidence
- Sportsmanship
- Fun and enjoyment
- Friendship
There is a wide range of sports they can get into including football, lacrosse and baseball/softball. If you are looking for more budget-friendly options, you can look at soccer, cross country and swimming.
3. Encourage Their Artistic Streaks
In addition to physical health, the mental well-being of your offspring should be a priority as well. Arts and crafts offer many of the same benefits as playing sports. In addition to those, activities such as painting and sculpting allow young ones to express themselves when they might not be able to do so verbally.
The great thing is that you may end up with items you can actually use such as mugs or picture frames. Finally, creative students tend to score higher on standardized tests, win awards at school and run for class offices.
Caring for your progeny is certainly not easy. However, the positive aspects far outweigh the negative ones.