Welcoming children into your family can often change your perspective on things. You suddenly become aware of things you might not have been previously. Your physical health, your diet, your activity levels, and the cleanliness of your home all get called into question. You now find yourself deliberating as to whether you are doing the right thing for your family.
You are not alone, parents up and down the country are always looking for ways to ensure the optimum health and happiness of their family, in their family home. To help you in your quest below are some ways you can create healthy habits to ensure the happiness and well-being of all the members of your family.
Balancing work life and family life
Admittedly this is probably easier said than done but how you manage your work and family life can make all the difference to the relationship within the family home. Being able to effectively manage your workload so that it fits around your family can help to boost your self-esteem and keep the parental guilt at bay. It will also help to improve your working life and productivity in the workplace. Finding a working routine that works for both your family commitments and your work responsibilities will also enable you to feel more in control of your life, all of which results in feelings of contentment for both you and your family.
A clean home
Having a clean home is important for the mental and physical well-being of all of the family. A clean and tidy home will help to improve the mental well-being of household members and have positive health benefits too. That is not to say your home has to be pristine without a speck of dust or a toy out place. Rather keeping on top of the simple tasks, which can have a huge impact such as;
- Wiping down surfaces with antibacterial spray before and after cooking to ensure food safety and the health of family members.
- Keeping dust, pet hairs or other allergens at bay can have a huge impact on the well-being of family members.
- Keeping the floors free of trip hazards. No one wants to fall over the toys or stand on a piece of lego.
Have a stocked medicine cupboard
When it comes to picking up germs and bugs young children have a knack for it. They can also be particularly skilled in the trips and falls department. None of this can be planned for so to ensure you are fully prepared should the unforeseen happen the best thing you can do is have a fully stocked medicine cupboard. Here are some items you may want to consider filling your first aid kit with;
- Pain relief, such as liquid paracetamol for younger members or tablets for older family members. Other medications include,
- Plasters and bandages.
- Thermometer to check temperatures.
- Burn gels.
- Antibacterial wipes.
- Spare inhalers for asthmatic members.
- Creams, lotions, and ointments to treat a variety of conditions from psoriasis or eczema to stings, rashes, or bites
This trustworthy dentist in Valencia also adds that a cold compress bag or an ice pack should be a part of your first aid kit. They’re not just effective for relieving toothache, but for minor injuries as well that require cold compress to reduce swelling.
Eat together
When everyone has commitments such as after-school activities or working schedules it can be difficult to eat together every day. However, eating together can be a very important time that brings families together. Eating as a family can help to improve relationships, provide an opportunity for quality time together and improve the diet and eating habits of family members. If you have children who you consider to be fussy eaters then eating together gives you the opportunity to show them the types of foods you eat. It can be a great opportunity to introduce new meals and normalize foods they might otherwise be reluctant to eat. Where possible try to set aside a few nights a week where you all eat together.
Play together
Children love to play but unfortunately, child’s play can sometimes be somewhat tedious to adults. You are not alone if you find playing role-play or endless games of monopoly tedious. That said, children learn so much from playing and it is a great way to spend time together and improve relationships. Try to find an activity that everyone can enjoy, whether it is a board game, a game of soccer, or a trip to the local swimming pool. You don’t have to spend hours doing it but setting aside even an hour or two a week can have a hugely positive impact on the happiness of your family home.
Have alone time
Sometimes the best thing you can do to promote health and happiness in the family home is to respect the fact that everyone needs some alone time. There is nothing wrong with wanting a little quiet time by yourself, in fact, it’s a perfectly healthy thing to do. Alone time can allow a person to unwind, relax, problem solve, calm down, or just improve their mood. You do not have to be with each other and force treasured family time at every given moment. Remember every family member has a space in their home where they can seek a little solitude. If that is what is needed, then let it happen.