A Healthy Body & Mind

Being healthy is a goal of ours and so this subject comes about in our every day life. We have many choices all through the day that lead us to a healthy life style or an unhealthy life style. My job as teacher, mom and friend to my children is to point out the choices and help them make the right choice by educating them.

Of course we have the standard "health" course. Basically you could call this a course in biology and "germ" warfare (as we call hand washing). We have done a science unit on the human body and of course talked extensively on how to keep our bodies healthy, what mother wouldn't. Cub scouts is another great place to start a conversation with your youngster about healthy habits.

As the children get older and they are making choices for themselves, we need to give them knowledge and resources to help them make those healthy choices that will hopefully become life long habits.

Healthy Eating

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe in keeping the "Word of Wisdom" as outlined in a special revelation from the Lord to the prophet Joseph Smith. You may read it by clicking here. Here are a few other web pages that have helped us in understanding healthy eating.

Word of Wisdom from Mormon.org
Provident Living's Word of Wisdom page

Healthy Lifestyle

Exercise is just as important has eating healthy. Our children love to play outside, like most boys do, but with that comes choices as to what is healthy and safe play. Living in the beautiful Northwest comes with a huge challenge as fall, winter and spring brings the never ending rain. We have had to talk about dressing for the weather when playing outside. We have had to discuss our choices for exercise when the weather prohibits us from being outside. Hopefully we will install in our children a desire to be fit and make choices that will lead to a long healthy life style.

The biggest teacher here is example. We as the parents have tried to show our children that hard physical labor isn't something to be avoided. That moving your body in a sport can be fun and enjoyable. It gets increasingly hard as our physical bodies fall apart, but we can still show a love for a healthy lifestyle.

We have encouraged our children to participate in sports, both team and individual for the many lessons it can provide, for the physical exercise and for the fun. Of course we are not pushy parents and if those goals are no longer being met or the sport interferes with family then the sport is discontinued. Some of the fun sports our children have been involved with are: soccer, basketball, baseball, aikido, gymnastics, bike riding, snow skiing, swimming and of course tons of out door playing.

Provident Living's Physical Health page
Scouting has many wonder topics on health

Growing Up

Every new mom looks at their brand new baby and dreams of all the wonderful things ahead for their special bundle of joy. We seem to forget those awkward years spent trying to go from child to adult. You remember, those adolescent years. The human brain is great at blocking out that weird time in each of our lives, otherwise I don't think any of us would have children. (I am just joking, but there were days when it didn't seem like a joke.)

In our home we are just at the beginning of this road called "parents of a teen" but we have armed ourselves with some great books and sites in preparation and are praying and hoping we all make it through this wonderful "teen spirit."

I would highly recommend you read and then let your child read Growing Up by Brad Wilcox. If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you will appreciate the author's use of scripture and prophetic words as he explains some of the wonderful (although they seem strange and awkward to the teen) changes that are happening to your child.

We gave this book to our just turned 11 year old son and were pleasantly surprised at the calm spirit he had about what was going to take place in and to him. In a scout physical exam about six months later, the doctor asked him if he had any questions about growing up. His reply, "I've read the book three times and if I have a question I can ask my dad." He then looked at me and quickly added, "Or mom."

May I also recommend that you as a parent get the pamphlet "For the Strength of Youth" (click on it and it will bring up a .pdf file for you to read). For those who are member of our church can ask their Bishop or youth leaders for a copy. Keep it with your scriptures and read it twice a year and once a year with your child (more if needed). Keep these ideas of being spiritual and physically clean in the front of your children's minds. Remind them that the temple is the goal.

Mental Health

Mental health is just as important as keeping our muscles and organs in working order. Having a good self esteem in this day in age is very hard and even harder on our teens.

Social and Emotional Health from Provident Living

Stores that sell health related products.

Last updated: November, 2006

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