Taking care of your family is one of the most important roles in life and something that is generally taken for granted as a responsibility that comes naturally. You very likely feel that your family’s health is at the forefront of your mind every day and that you do everything you can to ensure their welfare. That’s certainly the intention for most moms and dads, and for the majority of the time, you’re probably spot on. There are some instances though where there can be blind spots regarding aspects of health in your nearest and dearest, so it’s a good idea to just check up on your responses to a couple of common health issues that can arise.
Weight issues with kids
Getting your kids to eat healthy food can be a constant headache in many households. A lot of children seem to only want to eat junk food, and it can be very difficult to get them to eat a balanced diet. For many this is just a phase they go through, rediscovering the joys of cooking proper meals and eating well as they mature. For others, they seem able to eat whatever they want with no ill effects. There are two possible scenarios which are likely to arise if your children become overweight:
- You notice they are putting on weight and want to help them
- They come to you worried about their weight and asking for help
There are two danger zones which you should avoid if possible. The first is to tell them they are too fat and need to lose weight. The second is to be dismissive of their worries and tell them they’re fine. If you make a big fuss about your child being fat, it could be very damaging to their self-esteem and may be a contributing factor in the development of problems with eating disorders. Many kids go through a stage of having a little puppy fat when their bodies are growing in fits and starts through their childhood and teenage years, and this is nothing to worry about. People come in many different shapes and sizes too, so you need to be aware of what is normal for your child before starting to worry about their weight. If there is a definite weight issue, approach it in a positive way by encouraging the child rather than criticizing them. If they come to you, don’t dismiss their worries by saying they’re fine. Let them tell you what they are worried about and find out about healthy weight and BMI measurements together. Again, be positive, encourage them with their exercise and healthy eating and give them plenty of praise and reassurance.
Weight issues with your partner
When it comes to your spouse, it can be much the same scenario. They want to lose weight, and you don’t take them seriously, or you notice they’re putting on the pounds and they don’t seem to care. There is one key difference, in that you don’t have any control regarding their physical size or condition – it is their choice to make. Be supportive of a spouse who wants to lose weight and get fit by joining in if you want to, being encouraging, and making meal choices that will help them in their efforts. There are many different methods of losing weight and getting fit, and the two key factors for success are having the right motivation and finding a plan that works for the individual concerned. You could consider meal replacement options like the Nutrisystem plans for men, or whatever alternative fits in best with your family’s lifestyle. If you are worried about their weight, you can talk to them about your fears, and explain why you are concerned. Hopefully, they will take your worries seriously and at least go for a check-up to see what the medical opinion is. Other than that, your best bet is not to nag them or put them down about it, as this can often make people more stubborn and resistant to change. In time, they will hopefully come to their own decision that they want to lose weight, and this will make them far more likely to succeed.
Mental health
This is a vast topic covering many possible issues, illnesses, and outcomes, but the key to dealing with mental health problems is to recognize them as soon as possible. It can be difficult to acknowledge that your child has emotional problems, for complex and variable reasons such as feeling you have failed them as a parent, not wanting your family to be affected with this kind of condition, the belief that your children couldn’t have mental health problems, worry about the stigma attached to it, and so on. Remember that their welfare is your priority, and in the end, this is all that matters. If you notice any changes in their behavior such as withdrawal, anger, differences in the way they dress or how they care for themselves, changes in friendship groups, loss of interest in the things they used to enjoy doing, or anything that gets your parent radar humming, see if they will talk to you, make sure they know you are there for them, and keep an eye out for things deteriorating. The same applies to your spouse. If you feel there is something wrong with them, there probably is. After all, you know them better than anyone else does. They may be feeling stressed at work and not want to bother you with it, or they may not even realize they are slipping into a depression. If you can spot the warning signs and get your loved one to talk to you sooner rather than later, their recovery should be speedier and easier.
Loving and caring for your family is a wonderful and rewarding way to spend your life, so amid your everyday existence just pause for a moment and make sure you haven’t got any blind spots that could make you miss an opportunity to show how much you care.