Are YOU getting enough sleep? Should you let your infant ”cry it out”? How is your teenager who needs almost 10 hours of sleep every day doing?  We are ALL grumpier when we are tired. Sleep rejuvenates us, helps us learn, and keeps us from getting sick.  Get too little and life becomes an overwhelming chaotic mess. Good sleep hygiene means regular patterns for bedtime especially during the school year and plenty of time to “wind down” before sliding under the covers.  Maximize your own health while modeling great examples for your children. Help your teenagers develop these good sleep habits and daytime will be much more pleasant and productive for everyone.

With the food pyramid officially now turned upside down, there’s perhaps never been a time with more confusion and more “experts” telling us how to eat.  Our diets do matter; they define your child’s growth and mental development and can set them on the path to decades of healthy living.  Research consistently supports the value of a regular, nutritious breakfast for children and adolescents, particularly in enhancing academic performance, cognitive function, and overall health. Eating a healthy breakfast improves concentration, and results in higher test scores on both reading and math exams. In addition, kids who eat breakfast regularly are less likely to become obese. A great way to set your child up for success is with a healthy breakfast in the morning.

Are your kids getting enough exercise? In a world full of screens and over scheduled days, it’s easy for playtime to slip away—but active bodies build healthier, happier kids, who listen more. Regular physical activity strengthens growing muscles and bones, boosts heart and lung health, and helps maintain a healthy weight while reducing the risk of future issues. Beyond the physical perks, exercise sharpens focus and memory, lifts mood, eases anxiety, and supports better academic performance through improved attention and classroom behavior. Kids who move regularly often sleep better, feel more confident, and handle stress with greater ease.  Whether it’s team sports or a solo adventure all kids need to be encouraged to develop a healthy active outlet for their energy. 

Are your teens and tweens scrolling more than smiling? Across the country, we're seeing a real mental health crisis with rising rates of depression and anxiety fed by excessive exposure to negative biases and a dependence on social media in all its forms.  Many of you have heard me talk with your child about the dangers of social media but nothing I can say in one visit beats the consistent example you set at home. Research shows a direct correlation between time spent on social media and risks of anxiety, depression, poor sleep, lack of focus at home and in the classroom, and distorted body image.  Create a family media policy for your home that puts real-life connection first: device-free meals and bedrooms, with clear limits on time and platforms.  Make space for gratitude by actively pointing out the good in their day, your family, your community, and our country. We are what we aim at – so let’s aim high.