Raising an all-around kid is a blessing not many get to do, and it’s both challenging and rewarding. Seeing your little one grow up is a joy—and it all goes by so fast!
Nowadays, the quarantine has made me spend more time with Seve and Paul like never before. We’re enjoying our time together, and as some parents of small children know, they get to enjoy the perks of being at home now.
Being a hands-on parent is a gift and a responsibility, and you know by now that there’s more to raising a child than sleep, eat, then repeat. Raising an all-around kid—one who is physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy—takes know-how, patience, and effort—but it’s well worth it.
How do you raise an all-around kid?
I’ve realized that paying attention to your child’s needs and meeting them is at the core of raising an all- around kid. An all around kid is someone who not only has a healthy immunity, brain, and bones, but someone who can have an “I can do anything!” attitude. And, surprisingly, what they need is pretty simple—and Seve enjoys these activities, too!
Keep your daily routine.
Routines give kids (and adults!) a sense of security. Knowing what’s coming up next makes the day—or even the week—feel safer, calmer, and less stressful.
Seve enjoys being at home, and is big enough to go to preschool already. When we do things at around the same time and in the same order, from what time your child wakes up in the morning to playtime with mommy, it helps him know the different routines that happen daily, and gives him a lot to look forward to everyday.
Not only do these routines help build immunity, brain, and bones because each routine uses all the senses, it will also instill positive habits that they can bring with them in the future, such as a proper bedtime routine, or quality time with the family.
Provide the proper diet and nutrition.
Since the beginning, I was mindful about what food and drinks to give Seve. Imagine the food and drinks that you give your child as their fuel to get them through the day. Not only that, but the food and drinks they consume will contribute to their body’s overall development and immunity, which are very important right now.
You need to think carefully about what you will give your child. A balanced diet with a glass of Vitaminized Lactum 3+ helps support your child’s all-around development with immunity, brain, and bone nutrients. It has Vitamin C plus Prebiotic Inulin for Immunity, DHA for Brain and Calcium for Bones.
With proper nutrition and stimulation, Vitaminized Lactum 3+ helps give your child the support they need to grow stronger and healthier, inside and out.
Nowadays, there are vitamins and minerals that they usually get from the food we prepare at home, and through regular activities like going outside (for example, Vitamin D), supplementing with the right food and drinks like Vitaminized Lactum 3+ will ensure that Seve gets the proper nutrients in his diet.
With 30 years of being in the Philippines, Lactum 3+ has helped Filipino children lead a healthy life!
Get good sleep.
Seve enjoys his bedtime routine with me and Paul. Children like Seve need more sleep than adults, around 10 to 12 hours of sleep every night. Good sleep helps kids develop their immunity, brain, and bones, literally. Bodies repair themselves when you sleep, and for kids, it’s when their bodies grow and develop. It puts Seve in a great mood the next day, too.
Get moving!
It’s easy to fall into a sedentary lifestyle while indoors, especially when you’re just at home. Several studies warn against the dangers of sitting too long and not getting your heart pumping for even just a few minutes a day.
It’s highly advisable for everyone, no matter how old they are, to get moving for at least 30 minutes. Seve loves to move around—he hardly sits still! Walking, marching in place, even dancing to their favorite tunes will make a world of difference to your child’s immunity, brain, and bones.
Spend quality time together.
Remember that you are a parent, not a policeman who is just after keeping your child physically safe. More than anything, children at this age love to spend time with their parents.
Seve is very interested in a lot of things right now, and I get him books and toys that he will enjoy and are good for his mental development, too. When you choose activities that are aligned with their current interests, and activities that employ all the senses, it helps develop your child’s immunity, brain, and bones.
There are a ton of how-to videos online for just about everything, from arts and crafts to sports. Open- ended toys, such as blocks, paints, clay, and the sort, provide opportunities for your child to use their imagination and curiosity. You would be surprised to find yourself enjoying yourself, too!
30 minutes of your undivided attention—no phones, no work, just you right there with them—are priceless.
Re-create the world you miss indoors.
What do you miss the most about going outside? Is it the weekend trips to the mall with the family, the kiddie parties you attended or traveling to local or international destinations?
We miss being able to go outdoors as freely as we did before, especially going on family trips. But whatever you miss in the outside world can certainly be brought indoors in a different and unique way.
If staycations were your way to relax, treat your family to a “hotel-like” experience, complete with plush beddings and room service. If malling was your weekend habit, make little stores or open up your closets and pretend you’re window shopping! It may sound a bit silly, but it’s quality time spent with the family.
Raising an all-around kid may sound like a lot of work, but in reality, it’s a matter of tuning into what your child needs. It’s oftentimes as simple as letting yourself be guided by your instincts.
Remembering what’s best for your child, what helps them strengthen their immunity, develops their brain and bones, and doing what it takes to do that, is all you need to do.
ALSO READ: Fun indoor activities that you can do with your kids
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