Mistakes parents make with grade-schoolers

If you have children who are in elementary school, you certainly give them a lot of attention in an attempt to encourage a healthy lifestyle and help them develop a positive self-image. Throw in the first signs of puberty and a few social and emotional bumps along the way, and it's easy to see that some mistakes are likely and even inevitable.

Kids don't come with an instruction manual, so how do you know if you're making a big mistake with your entry-level kids? This is not a hopeless question. Armed with a warning and some clever strategies, you can avoid big mistakes.

Denying that your child is overweight

When it comes to a child who is overweight or obese, “many parents say he will grow up. Parents may say that she just has big bones or that she has a different body type. »

But this is a big mistake. Many physical changes occur during the early school years, including puberty. But many kids don't "come out." “Never relax. Now is the time to introduce and encourage physical activity and healthy eating. Good habits are born at a young age, just like bad ones.

Many parents believe that high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are health problems for older adults. But this is misleading and certainly not true with the rise in childhood obesity.

Conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes are now appearing in children due to obesity. "There is a lot of awareness about childhood obesity," "but at the same time, many parents may not realize that primary school students are not too young to develop some of the complications that come with it."

If your child is overweight, watch your words. Do not go in cycles in the size and do not disgrace the child.

"It's not about the numbers on the scale or how you look, it's about your health."

“This is an age where teenagers are very body conscious and there is a lot of talk in the media about being very skinny.” "It's not uncommon for pediatricians to start noticing eating disorders in children in the fifth and sixth grades."

Also, don't single out the child. "Say, 'We want the whole family to be healthy, so we'll all try to eat better and be more active.' "

Again, children learn by example, so if family members or parents are also obese, don't eat healthy foods, or are sedentary, your child won't learn healthy behaviors.

Not watching what you say (and how you say it)

“Often parents think they are helping, but grumble or criticize.”

What should you say and how should you say it? Praise yourself when your student does something good, like trying out a new sport. "Say, 'I'm proud that you went out and tried a new activity.'"

Don't praise your child unless you really want to. “You can’t praise a child too much, but there is a risk of being insincere if you do it all the time. It also helps to be specific in your praise. "Say, 'Thank you so much for cleaning your room.' I'm so proud that you're so responsible." Note what it is and tell them how you feel.”

Not practicing what you preach

“The fastest way to get a child to ignore you is to say one thing and do another. Study yourself very carefully and make sure that you are a good role model and that you do what you want your child to do."

This includes all aspects of your lifestyle - whether you smoke, drink or use other drugs, how you deal with stress, and how you treat other members of your family and community.

Waiting too long for a "talk"

"Puberty happens as early as nine years of age, and it's important to talk about body changes so your kids know what to expect." "Some parents were hesitant to start that conversation at that age."

“In girls, we see that the age of menarche or first menstruation increases earlier and earlier. So 10 and 11 is a really great time to sit down with your daughters and sons and start a conversation about puberty and bodily changes."

With girls, this can mean talking about menstruation, armpit hair, and chest growths. In boys, this may mean changes in pubic hair and voice. "It's a tough conversation and some parents assume the school will have puberty health classes so they don't need to discuss it." "This is a very big mistake."

Skipping yearly doctor visits

These routine checkups are not just for babies. "You still have to come every year and sit with a pediatrician who looks after your child's growth and development."

"This is the right time to educate children about height and weight standards, as well as body mass index." "We're also starting a conversation about proper nutrition and adequate physical activity." This includes making sure elementary school students get the calcium they need to support healthy growth.

Missing red flags of bullying

Bullying can and does occur in elementary school.

"We see it in the context of kids coming in with vague pain from stress." "Most of the time [the doctor's] examination will be normal and we can reassure parents that their child is fine and talk about what else might be going on at school or at home."

Another sign that bullying can be a problem is when a child who loves school suddenly refuses to go to school.

If you suspect bullying, take it seriously and report it to school management. Talking to your child's teacher can also help you find out if something else is going on. "It's a fine line because you don't want your child to be bullied anymore, but the adult needs to know what's going on."

Harassment can also take place online, on social media, or even text messages.

"Parents should be watching social media with teens." “Make sure the computer is in a family room where the parent can monitor what's happening on Facebook, Twitter, or any other chat room their child is in. »

Locks can also be placed on apps, and it's important to communicate openly with your child on social media.

Overscheduling your kids

It may be tempting to enroll your child in one school or another, but overscheduling children can affect their academic performance.

For example, "Fifth and sixth graders are moving into middle school, and academic rigor is really on the rise." "They go from one regular teacher to class after class with multiple teachers and lots of homework and expectations."

Keep a balance so that they meet academic expectations and participate in selected extracurricular activities. Different children have different needs, and there are really no hard and fast rules about the amount of extracurricular activities. Get inspiration from your child.