By Gail Lynne Goodwin.
I am honored to be a part of the Million Moms Challenge, linking millions of moms to mothers in developing countries throughout the world. No matter what country we live in, what we do for a living or whether we are married or single, the one thing that is constant for mothers worldwide is our unconditional love for our children. We all want the best for our children and will do whatever we can do to make their world a better place.
As a part of the Million Moms Challenge, I was recently asked to share my best tip for raising healthy children. Although my children are now young adults, I still remember the words of a wise physician, as he spoke to my then 12-year-old daughter years ago. He gently explained to her that everything she was putting into her body was creating the 13-year-old she would become in the next year.
Each soft drink or sugary treat wouldn’t provide the nutrition needed to feed her hungry growing cells. This doctor explained that if she really wanted a strong, beautiful body with glowing skin, she needed to be wise with her choices each day. He helped her to understand the consequences and benefits of her decisions.
As I raised my children, I often thought of those wise words. Wanting to give my children the greatest advantage in life, I taught them how to eat healthy. I taught them the damages of smoking, drugs and artificial substances. As I encouraged them to make wise choices, I helped them to understand that they were responsible for creating the kind of body they chose to have, not only in the next year, but for many years to come.
So many times kids feel powerless, as they have to listen to whatever their parents say, and feel as if they have little choice in many aspects of their lives. They’ll sneak things that are prohibited, just because they can.
By teaching my children about nutrition, they were empowered to make wise choices for themselves, knowing that their decisions today would impact their world tomorrow. It wasn’t about what mom told they could or couldn’t do- they made smart choices that would affect their future, because they understood the benefits of good choices.
This gift has helped them grow into strong, healthy young adults. Now, as that information is passed on to my granddaughter, it will help her to do the same thing.
I believe the greatest gift we can give to our children is to instill the belief that they can achieve anything and the knowledge that they are loved. Add to that the education to make wise nutritional choices that includes an abundance of fresh, organic fruits and veggies, and you have the recipe for healthy, happy children, both inside and out.
What’s your greatest tip to raise healthy children? By replying on the Millions Mom Challenge, you will be entered to win an exclusive Million Moms Challenge Gift Pack, which includes an iPad2, a custom-made Million Moms Challenge pendant and a $50 donation in your name to Global Giving.
Please show your support for the Million Moms Challenge by liking MMC on Facebook.
I look forward to reading your comments and thank you in advance for sharing your tips with all of us.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Million Moms Challenge. The opinions and text are all mine. Contest runs November 14 to December 18, 2011. A random winner will be announced by December 20, 2011.
Photo Credit: DeusXFlorida
