by Clarity Cares | Aug 8, 2018 | Education, Parenting
As parents, guardians or mentors, we often desire to guide children to healthy and bright futures. In this high tech, social media-focused age, we are competing with so many voices and influences speaking in children’s ears. So, what can we, as parent/guardians or mentors, do to encourage children to seek us for open and honest answers to their important questions?
It may be helpful to know what Clarity’s I Decide For Me program, teaches students to look for in a “Go-To” Adult:
- This person must be age 18 or older.
- This person has the student’s best interest at heart
- The students spends time with this person on a regular basis
- This person is making healthy life choices
As parents, guardians or mentors, applying some of the following practices may encourage youth in your life to identify you as their “Go-To” Adult:
Model healthy choices:
- This would include food and exercise as well as tobacco and alcohol consumption. How our children see us behave, will give us credibility to advise them.
Balance family and work:
- Involve kids in weekly planning
- Sit down for family discussions at least twice a week
- Set aside at least 10 minutes at a time to have a one-to-one conversation with each child
- Have a device-free dinner
Model community involvement:
- Plan family activities to give back to the community
- Participate in community events
- Have children observe you treat others with respect, dignity and kindness
Our society desires a healthy, strong future. Our children are that future, so it is critical that they are not only physically healthy, but mentally healthy as well. Parents, guardians and mentors play an imperative role in this process.
The following websites are great resources for families and parenting:
by Clarity Cares | May 30, 2018 | Education
Did you know that your happiness and overall well-being is directly linked to your health? When prompted to think about health most people immediately think of physical health. However, there is much more to consider. You could say, “There’s more to me than what I see.”
Clarity’s services and educational programming are unique in that we focus on supporting people in a holistic way. We are equally concerned about every aspect of a person’s health; not simply content to educate/aid physically. This focus leads to a much healthier approach which leads to a much healthier person.
While it is true physical health is vitally important to our overall well-being, to lead a fulfilling life one must also focus on mental, emotional, social and ethical health as well. These are the facets that make a person whole.
Intentional living and self-discipline are required aspects of leading a healthy life. These skills are like muscles, the more they are used the easier it gets. How intentional are you about making healthy decisions, and how much discipline do you exert toward your holistic health?
Here is a little quiz to help you assess your efforts. Check all of the statements that apply to you.
PHYSICAL
[ ] I eat healthy, balanced meals regularly
[ ] I get 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly
[ ] I sleep approximately 8 hours every night
[ ] I take 10,000 steps every day
ETHICAL
[ ] I spend more than one hour per week participating in spiritual activities
[ ] I am optimistic about my future
[ ] I resolve conflict nonviolently
[ ] I have set high standards for myself and others
MENTAL
[ ] I read daily to add to my knowledge
[ ] I am purposeful to limit daily the amount of time I spend with media/social media
[ ] I have future goals and plans
[ ] I make daily decision with my future goals/plans in mind
SOCIAL
[ ] I spend time on a regular basis with friends I trust and admire
[ ] I spend time daily with a loved one
[ ] I regularly spend time with a group/club of like-minded individuals
[ ] I easily empathize with others
EMOTIONAL
[ ] I am intentional to limit negative self-talk
[ ] I have a positive outlook regarding my life and future
[ ] Generally, I am proud of my behavior
[ ] I am able to control angry/frustrated feelings, so I don’t say things I later regret
Where could you be more deliberate in taking control of your health? Be intentional to find resources to aid you in strengthening identified weaknesses in areas from the quiz above. You can do it! And Clarity is here to cheer you on!
by Clarity Cares | Dec 4, 2017 | Education, Parenting
Just thinking about “the talk” brings so many thoughts and emotions to the surface. You may be thinking, “It seems like just yesterday he/she was born!” The truth is, children are growing up quickly and learning things at an earlier age than ever before. The idea of children learning about their bodies and other intimate topics from peers at school or even the media can be frightening. Children are curious, so let’s do more than hope and pray they come to us when they have questions.
Parents are the most reliable source for trusted information for children. A perfect time to begin important conversations is when changes happen to their bodies. We can approach body growth changes positively and with understanding. Puberty is such an amazing part of growing up, so empowering our children to love the person they are becoming is important. Using resources such as kidshealth.org can help parents explain the changes that are occurring and reassure children how normal it is. This resource specifically aids parents in talking to their children. It even offers articles for kids to read for themselves. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also has a great webpage to help cover some of the physical changes bodies go through during puberty.
Once the topic of body changes has been introduced, a natural pivot in conversation to more intimate topics is possible. Let’s face it, we should have lots of talks throughout the teen years on the topics of respect, relationship building, boundary setting, etc.
No matter the timing of the talks, we need to remember to keep having them! Teaching our children to respect themselves is so important, particularly in today’s culture. We unfortunately live in a time where pornography is widely accepted as being the norm. Pornography degrades body image and teaches a false sense of intimacy. The following source will prepare you for a conversation that will hopefully keep pornography out of sight and out of mind. Covenant Eyes
The I Decide for Me program offered by Clarity teaches children the value they have and how to make healthy choices that will positively impact their lives. It provides education about the importance of abstinence and establishing safe and healthy boundaries. Not only is it a wonderful resource for our children, but it can also be used as a tool to further conversations about sexual health at home.
