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10 healthy tips to get your kids ready for back-to-school


It's back to school time and are you ready?  I am homeschooling this year so my getting ready is a bit different this year but nonetheless, I cannot ignore the health factor.  Being healthy is an issue we all need to be concerned about and when children are younger, it's best to get them started early to adopt good habits. I have to admit that I'm not the ideal role model in this department but I am learning and am making baby steps in ensuring I put them on a better path.  I used to run to McDonald's after school nearly every day because it was easier until I started seeing the pooch appear on my then seven year old.  I stopped that immediately as it wasn't only adding calories but it was adding bad ones.  Now, I do different things to ensure I'm getting them healthier for the school year regardless if they leave the house or I teach them.  These are the ways I'm working and hope you can incorporate some of them into your children's lives:

  1. Instead of the chips or other salty snack foods, reach for something like Pirates Booty or Pop Chips.  They are much better for your kids and they still get the snack they are craving.  They aren't very expensive either which is good for our budgets now a day.  As you can see from the picture above, today's picnic wasn't exactly healthy (smirk).
  2. Incorporate exercise when they least expect it.  Have an Xbox or wii?  Have family fun competition once a week and then practice during the week.  You'd be surprised at how much hoola hooping can wear you out and the minutes rack up quickly.
  3. Establish outings three to four times a week but this is if your child isn't already racked up with a million activities.  Taking the family out for biking is fun and gives you some great times and memories with the kids while establishing those good health habits.
  4. Have your kids help prepare the meals.  When you can fix a salad where they get to help arrange it or a fruit tray, they might be more apt to eating it versus giving them a plate of peas.  Kids love to cook and it lets their imaginations have fun too.
  5. Getting in a routine at night will make it easier to get the homework done, baths accomplished and on time bedtimes.  It's important to get those eight hours of sleep so instilling that is big winner for them.
  6. Start planning the breakfasts ahead of time so you aren't running late and throwing Pop Tarts on the table.  Serve up some delicious fruit on their cereal, give them a glass of juice and make sure they eat as a child on an empty stomach has a hard time focusing.
  7. Get those physical exams done especially for those that are into sports.  Too many children are dying due to not having proper exams.  Preventive care is something we all should do and teaching kids young is ideal.
  8. Make sure they have a good lunch packed.  Give them veggies with dip if you have one of those lunch bags with an ice pack.  Fruits and veggies are a must and try to switch over to whole wheat bread to eliminate some of the processed sugars and flour products.
  9. For us, I have two children with chronic medical conditions so ensuring I have a medical plan with the school is essential.  My eight year old knows exactly what to do the first moment a headache is coming on.  She has a routine and that will help keep her healthy along with ensuring they wash their hands to prevent spreading germs.
  10. Last but not least, get those eyes checked!   I waited well over a year to get my now eight year old checked and come to find out, she has an optic pit and probably needed glasses for some time.  Being able to see really affects their ability to perform well.  

Whatever you do, it's not too hard to incorporate some good habits into our children's lives.  A life lesson can carry over through generations so the earlier we start, the better.  I hope I'm giving my kids good lessons to learn from and I hope they understand I'm still learning myself!


About Transitions Optical, Inc.Transitions Optical is a joint venture of PPG Industries, Inc. and Essilor International.  The first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic lens in 1990, today the company is a leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide.  Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names.

Transitions® lenses are the ideal everyday choice for healthy sight.  They are clear indoors and at night.  Outdoors, they automatically darken as light conditions change.  Transitions lenses provide visual comfort, and enhance visual quality by reducing glare and enhancing contrast, helping you to see better today.  Transitions lenses block 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays – helping to protect the health and wellness of your eyes – so you can see better tomorrow as well. More info on Transitions Lenses: www.transitions.comAbout Eye Didn’t Know That!Transitions Optical created the Eye Didn’t Know That! program to help people of all ages learn more about healthy vision.  The program was developed by a team that includes eyecare professionals, science and education experts, and Transitions Optical, Inc.  The Eye Didn’t Know That! website offers materials for children, parents, teachers and eyecare professionals to use to teach and learn more about eyecare basics and the importance of eye health and regular comprehensive eye exams.  The information includes fact sheets, games, quizzes, lesson plans and free downloadable materials.  To learn more and to find out what makes your friends and family say “Eye Didn’t Know That!” visit www.eyedidntknowthat.com. Transitions Lenses on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/transitionsslenses
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I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Transitions Lenses blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

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