Some might think that
when it comes to food and eating, it is the mom who is the source and guide.
Physical activity from sports to summer fun is often on the mom to organize.
Not any more. Roles have shifted and responsibilities are shared between
parents. Being
a father today is much different than it was just a couple of decades ago.
Fathers are often equally engaged in their children’s lives from making meals
to hauling kids to and from their extracurricular activities. There are no set
rules any more.
My husband and I have
shared responsibilities, pretty much equally, our entire marriage. In fact, our
youngest when she was little had a name for us “momdad” or “dadmom” that
she used indiscriminately. We were equal in her eyes and either of us could be
looked to in order to help her with whatever need she had.
I remember when the first
movies came out about stay-at-home dads like Mr Mom with
Michael Keaton. It was such a big deal. My amazing husband took on that role
himself for a few years. The kids learned a lot about how a role isn’t defined
by your gender. Instead they see the importance of the responsibilities that
need to be met in a family and how we all take on roles that are needed to
support the health of the family and make it thrive.
Living a healthy life
is not just about the food served at the table. It is about how you live life
every day. Especially in the volatile world we live in today, it is about how
you meet personal challenges and face crisis. It is also about how you
celebrate life and acknowledge the big moments. The choices we make are how our
children learn to react to similar situations themselves. They are learning
from us and watching how we behave.
Being
present in your child’s life can only be possible if we choose to be
present in our own life. In the stress-filled lives we all live it is really
hard to do. We often would rather escape into our phones, the TV or mindless
eating. The good news is life is a journey. None of us is perfect and we all
have plenty to improve on to live the best and healthiest life we can. By being
willing to change and including our kids in the process we are doing the best
role modeling possible.
My kids are very lucky.
They have seen their dad face multiple personal challenges and as a result of
them embrace change, however difficult, to make life better for him and his
family. Two big changes their dad has made is first to stop smoking and then to
stop drinking alcohol. They have also seen him wholly embrace living a healthy
lifestyle from working out every morning at the YMCA to bike riding and
kayaking to changing the amounts and types of foods he eats. What an incredible
gift he has given his children. He hasn’t told his children how to live a
healthy life, he has shown them, one change at a time. He is healthier and
happier for it and so is our family.
Dads are so important
as role models for their children. In this era of global volatility and
escalating obesity, especially in our children, dads are cornerstones to their
child’s healthy life. Real dads facing real challenges as part of life’s
journey with the willingness to change will help their kids live healthier
lives.
May we celebrate dads
on Father’s Day and everyday. To their health! Live vibrant!
#LiveVibrant
#Livliga
#HealthyLifestyle
#HealthyLiving
#Fathers
#Parenting
#SammieandSax