Keep your Kids Water Safe

This time of year it seems that many of us are hitting the pool or beach in the hot summer sun. One of my biggest pushes for summer safety is to be water safe. When your child is between 2 – 3, they should learn how to swim. We have gotten all of our kids involved in lessons this early as a form of survival. With everyone jumping in and out, the little ones want to follow suit. I encourage you to take a class with your child or take them to a class to get the proper training. Keep them in the classes as they grow to become stronger and learn the proper techniques and additional life saving skills. Be sure to lock the gate around your pool if you have one and always, always, have a parent or adult who can swim supervising the pool or beach area. Swimming is great fun (not to mention a great form of excercise), but we safety is always first.

Family Fitness

Getting the whole family involved is key for family fitness success. Siblings watch each other and that can be a motivator when it comes to being active. They like to run faster, shoot more baskets, jump higher than their brother or sister. It’s that friendly competition that serves as a positive influence.

Encourage outdoor time and provide games for the younger ones to play if they can’t quite join in on the basketball or football game. Give them a ball to kick and chase around the yard. Plan time for your family to play a game, go swimming or go on bike rides together. If mom and dad take the lead in getting the kids up and moving, each child will follow. Playing and being active becomes the norm. Fitness becomes a way of life.

Check ‘em at the Table

A new rule has been implemented at the Sansone house – No cell phones at the dinner table! We now check them in to a bowl on the counter before the meal starts. Family time and talking to each other is the key to making families work. Putting the cell phones down during dinner is one way we’re keeping that time a priority. Try it at your house and see how this improves conversation at your own dinner table. Enjoy your “buzz-free” dinner!