A Healthy Family Life

Home is where the heart is…

“Through family, we find ourselves as we give and receive support.”

Just ask yourself, when was the last time that you called your mum or dad because you wanted to, and not because you felt you had to? Or took your little sister for lunch like you used to?

You might fight with your sister or your brother, undermine your father, and disappoint your mother, but your family is your blood at the end of the day. Of course, blood is thicker than water. But is it not so that, no matter what wrong decisions you make or wrong turns you take, your family stands by you? Is it not so that your family supports you?

A healthy lifestyle comes from happiness both inside and out. A helpful, stable and supportive family unit can provide that happiness. Healthy home life can allow you to share worries and concerns with the people whose the most significant problem is to make you happy. Who else would give you that opportunity? That support?

So what can you do to improve your family life?

1. Dedicate one day a week to having dinner with your family. Your mum may not be the next Delia Smith, and the prospect of her giving you your entire 5-a-day in one dinner may rather daunting when you’re a bit out of practice, but sitting down with your family for tea can allow time for you update them with what’s going on in your life. The biggest downfall for a family is lack of communication.
2. Take advantage of national holidays. What’s Christmas without a new pair of socks for your dad? Redecorating the tree can provide an ideal group activity and Christmas dinner is a perfect opportunity to ‘remember the good old days’ and rebuild bridges.On the other hand…spending time with your children is just as significant as spending time with your own parents, as family is just as important to their health as it is yours. When was the last time you read your youngest a bed-time story? Why not drag them away from CBBC and do

Struggling to find activities to do with your kids?

• Try getting your hands dirty with arts and crafts. Getting arty with your children not only entertains the both of you but also enhances your creativity skills. (See www.familyfun.go.com for some great ideas)
• Try cooking with your kids. Getting kids involved in the kitchen can encourage them to eat better as well as learn basic hygiene and food safety.
• Take a family holiday. There are holiday packages designed especially for children (for example, www.haven.com), complete with fancy dress, discos and outdoor activities (also a great opportunity for them to meet other children).