Healthy Family

December 2013

A Healthy Family is a concept individualized for many cultures, and in many forms. Not everyone has the same need(s) and not everyone has the same “KIND” of family. Given, therefore no everyone will have the same routine.

With that said, the importance of a Healthy Family begins with what the parent (this also means caregiver) teaches a child.

“Children are sponges… and caregivers are the water. There are all types of water in their world… your choice as the parent is to measure how much water you will let the sponge intake. ”

Something we like to emphasize here at Bloggers of Health is “Healthy routines.”  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2004:

“Every family needs routines. They help to organize life and keep it from becoming too chaotic. Children do best when routines are regular, predictable, and consistent.

One of a family’s greatest challenges is to establish comfortable, effective routines, which should achieve a happy compromise between the disorder, and confusion that can occur without them and the rigidity and boredom that can come with too much structure and regimentation, where children are given no choice and little flexibility.

As a parent, review the routines in your household to ensure that they accomplish what you want.”

We hope our healthy routines tips help your Healthy family.

Jessica Valle, MA, IMFT

Marriage and Family Psychotherapist

Reference:

Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5 to 12 (Copyright © 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics)