Resolutions for children

Dr. Gwenn O’Keeffe, a pediatrician at North Shore Children’s Hospital, writes a weekly column on child health issues.

Do your children have New Year’s Resolutions? Mine try to create some each year and we are always amused by what they come up with. My kids are 8 and 5 now and in the past their “revolutions” have been as simple as to “get dressed in the morning by myself” to “be as pretty as Barbie”. This year, my 8 year old’s Resolution is not let her 5 year old sister annoy her so much. In turn, my 5 year old declared her resolution to be to annoy her sister as much as possible. Given the fireworks that we sometimes have at home, I was not too shocked by these!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently published a list of “Tips for a Healthier New Year” on their web site: www.aap.org. What amazed me about this list was how embedded within each “tip” was a clear message for us as parents to be more involved with our children and more vigilant about what they are exposed to in the media, and to teach by example. Given how nutty my life can be as a mom, this list really made me pause and look at what we do at our house and start to think of ways to make some changes that will make all of us happier and healthier.

The AAP’s “tips for a Healthier New Year” are

• Prevent violence by setting good examples
• Make sure immunizations are up to date
• Provide your child with a tobacco-free environment
• Read to your children every day
• Practice "safety on wheels"
• Do a "childproofing" survey of your home
• Monitor your children's "media"
• Help Kids Understand Tobacco, Alcohol, and the Media
• Pay attention to nutrition
• Become more involved in your child's school and your child's education
• Make your children feel loved and important

There is not a topic on the list that can be covered quickly and I promise that by the end of 2003 we will have addressed all these areas in one way or another. I’d advice you to use this list as a way to take stock in your priorities as a family and discuss what is relevant for your children, their given ages, and what they are exposed to.

That said, the last tip is something we cannot only do every day, but it’s what will make our children dream and become everything they want to be. As stated by the AAP, “Kids develop a sense of self-worth early in life. They get it from their parents. Listen to what your children have to say. Assure them that they are loved and safe. Celebrate their individuality, and tell them what makes them special and what you admire about them.”

I experienced this first hand this week. My 8 year old wrote a poem and read it to the entire school – 200 people - at school meeting. All week long, teachers and other parents have told her what a terrific job she did and the smiles produced have been priceless. The look of pride on her face when she was finished reading is something I will never forget. She has had such a bounce to her step all week long!!

It does not take something this “big” to focus on to create a proud, happy bounce in your children: praise a drawing or having the courage to participate in class; praise other children for things you’ve seen them do when you are walking into the school to pick up your kids. If you do this a little each day with your children and your neighbor’s children, I promise the smiles and hugs you receive back will be worth the effort!

Have a safe and happy week.

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