Kids need Movement. Daily movement will help get them to go to sleep on time every night. Commitment from mom and dad is important because our kids need us to move with them. right? Movement for the entire family ….. no couch potatoes. Kids need to get out their energy!
I have heard several people in conversations state they never had to worry about going to bed in previous generations because w they were tired. Why? Well because they walked to and from school, had chores, and played until dark. Personally, I remember when my curfew was “be home before the street lights come on”. Many nights my friends and I played baseball, kickball or rode bikes all day and into the night.
Kids of today, if we look closely, do not get much movement unless it is done on purpose. Now we do live in a different world where it is not safe to let your children walk to school, but with some planned effort on our part, (the parents) our kids can exert the excess energy.
In our home we have a trampoline that is utilized when we can’t go outside. As I workout in the gym, my kids go off to the play area. My nine year old walks the treadmill with me for 30 minutes (he is usually really tired when we are done) because he is finally old enough.
Since the beginning of summer my food choices and lack of energy was a notable obstacle. Four kids later my body did not look like it does in my head.
Complaining about how I look was a dead end road, so I decided to do something about it. Recently started Tae Kwon Do I realized how out of shape my body had become. Hence, my new mission: physical fitness for my family and myself.
Before dinner suggest a backyard game that involves the family. them go outside in the backyard with you. . Having fun as a family playing soccer wears our four boys out and they all go to sleep….on time. Even the oldest son plays with us sometimes.
Tips for A Good Bedtime Routine
- Stretching is a good wind down activity. YouTube has a lot of great selections for kids.
- Reading. All kids love to spend time reading with mom or dad.
- Baths are so relaxing and the kids will be extra dirty form all the extra time moving:)
Through the years children have lost a lot of time. Time that kept them busy, creative, and playing with friends. Not as much time outside, and more time spent inside. Burn more energy off of their bodies.
Moms and dads also need to look at their physical fitness level because we spend a lot of time taking care of the home, work, and children. Then our adult bodies that need exercise suffers. My challenge to anyone reading this post is to look at how your family spends time.
How many activities in the week take away from being active? Are your children playing and moving enough?
Cheers,
Michelle
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