Looking for a way to get in touch with your child and get them (and you) out in front of the television? Why not exercise?! Specifically, why not take your child out for a run?

As a veteran 5K runner, I enjoyed the time I spent in high school and college training with my friends. We had so many interesting chats as we jogged along the streets together. When I sat reminiscing about those days, I decided that I shouldn’t give them up because I am a mom. Now that my oldest daughter is five, she is old enough to run with me.

A 5K race may be out of your toddlers league (and possibly out of your own). However, most races offer a ‘fun run’ either before or after the main event. These runs last anywhere from a few hundred yards to a full mile, which a young child who has trained adequately should be able to do (I should know; my daughter can go from 0 to 60 all over our house, all day, in less than three seconds.)

Of course, you can’t just take a preschooler out for a one mile run (though, in a crunch, you could just walk it together). Instead, why not take your preschooler to the park, or on a run through your neighborhood. Two or three times a week, you could get up before the rest of your family (or stay up later than your other children, if you have them) and the two of you could go on a very short ‘run’ together. This would consist of you slowing down to her pace, which would be a very, very slow jog. Don’t let them start out with a sprint or they will be too tired to finish. Instead, emphasize that the object is to finish.

Do this several times and you will get the hang of jogging slowly and talking to your child. Multiply this times ten years (and, perhaps, longer races), and you will wind up with the perfect opportunity to talk to your teenager!

To find a fun run, look in your local newspapers for ads regarding longer races. Call officials and ask them for details. Contact your local runners club - you could even join with your child! You can also visit Runner’s World magazine online; they have a list of various races that you can search by date, location, and/or length.

Childhood obesity grows in leaps and bounds every day. For that matter, adult obesity literally gives kids a run for their money. By engaging in a healthy, enjoyable, athletic activity together, you will not only build strong family ties, you will also build good habits that can improve your family’s lifestyle, increase your life span, and generally draw you closer together.

But why are you still reading this? Go for a run!

Nola Redd is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Poetry. You can read more of her fiction and nonfiction at http://scottiegaz.Writing.Com/.

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Frankly, some people’s parenting skills truthfully need some corrections. I have witnessed so many scenes in public places that make me believe that some people should be tested before they are permitted to have children. There are lessons out there that teach basic parenting skills but not enough of people sign up in them. It is almost as if when you have a baby, they launch you home from the hospital devoid of the least clue as to what you are supposed to do with this child. Maybe a manual should be written and presented to parents when they depart the hospital. Any person can be a parent but not every person has the parenting skills essential to raise a child.

A lot of parents’ parenting skills come from their own experiences in growing up. They pass down the identical ideals and traditions that their parents instilled in them. I have had two young parents in my office who were both parents before the age of 18. Neither of these persons had the first inkling as to what kind of parenting skills they should have. Interestingly enough, both of those individuals had been born to immature parents as well. Their young parents lacked the values, information and parenting skills to raise their children as well as they should have. One of those children had been mainly raised on the streets since their young parents could not have cared less what he was doing. It is a wonder he didn’t end up in jail or dead. At the age of 16, a girl came to him to state that she was pregnant. All of a sudden,he was the one who was in need of some common sense and parenting skills.

My other challenged co-worker gave birth when she was 17. Her mother didn’t even know that she was pregnant and had no concern in helping to raise her grandchild when she had hardly even cared to raise her own daughter. She is now under pressure to finish school and raise a child. While some parenting skills are simply common sense, some people actually lack that common sense. This is especially true if they never had parental figures who showed common sense for them. You’ve heard people say that children are a mirror image of their parents and there is a large amount of truth to that. Parenting skills are the same way. A parent will imitate the parenting skills that their parents showed to them. Of course, this does not hold true for every person. There are individuals who break out of the cycle and I have lots of praise for them. However, what is important is that before becoming a parent, make sure you have the common sense parenting skills that are needed to raise your child. In no way be fearful to ask someone for guidance or answers. Your child will thank you for it. So will the rest of the world.

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It’s best to start a bedtime routine as soon as possible with your baby. As young as 6 to 8 weeks, your baby can benefit from establishing a bedtime routine. Having a nightly pattern will allow your baby come to appreciate the consistency. Knowing what’s coming next helps your baby to relax. Being relaxed helps your baby to go to bed easier and fall asleep faster. Even when you are away from home, try to keep your baby’s routine. While trying to settle down your baby in an unfamiliar place, the routine can help make it easier.

Giving your baby a bath, putting on pajamas, story time, or playing a game are some ideas to include in your routine. Choose activities that are calming to your baby instead of being exciting so it is easier to fall asleep.

A bedtime routine is not only good for your baby but for the parents also. It gives a special time for bonding at the end of a long day. Here are some ideas for bedtime routines you may want to try.

Sometimes before settling your baby down allow him or her to release pent up energy. Having a horsy ride or bouncing in a bouncer or on a knee is great ways to let off some steam. After all this excitement, be sure to follow up with an activity that is calming and quiet. Only do this if your baby falls asleep easily when it’s bedtime otherwise it’s probably too much excitement.

The bedtime ritual that has a soothing effect is a bath. Your baby gets warm, clean and usually relaxed. Try using lavender scented baby wash for an aromatherapy bath. It’s probably best to skip the bath for a nighttime ritual if it awakens your baby or your baby doesn’t like them very much.

Play peek-a-boo, stack blocks, or have some floor time. Playing quiet games add some fun to your bedtime routine.

Reading a bedtime story to your baby is one of the most popular routines parents establish. This benefits your baby by exposing him or her to a large vocabulary, which helps with language skills.

Playing CDs or tapes of classical music, lullabies, or kids’ favorites can drown out outside noise. This may help your baby go to sleep faster if they listen to the music. If you don’t want to play music, use a sound machine instead. Sound machines usually play nature sounds like rain or ocean waves. It is a good idea not to let your baby rely on music or sounds unless you plan to take it with you should you have to travel.

Try singing to your baby at night. Sing a well-known song and start a tradition in your family. Your baby will eventually learn that after the song is complete, it’s time for sleep.

As you’re taking your baby to bed, say good night to household objects, pets, people, favorite toys or other items. This is a fun way for your baby to recognize bedtime and no favorite stuffed animals are left out.

There are many activities you can include in your bedtime ritual. Have fun experimenting with the different methods and choose the ones that work for you and your baby.

Michael Russell
Your Independent Baby and Toddler guide.

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