How do I get my tweenager to take her health more seriously without giving her a complex?
Heather Sholl
Concierge Wellness Coach October 2019
How do I get my tweenager to take her health more seriously without giving her a complex?
This is such a great question for parents of girls and boys! It’s tough to approach a sensitive subject with your teen, after all, they know everything already right?!
Kids grow out before they grow up, so it may be a growth spurt waiting to happen, but if you suspect that’s not the case, here are a few ideas.
Tweens tend to want to be with grownups and emulate our behavior, so asking them to join you in a healthy activity may open the door for a conversation. At our house the kids help make the weekly dinner menu which gives us a chance to talk about what we eat and why we eat more of some things than others.
Teens already know everything (just ask them!) and don’t always take our advice, but they are likely to learn from our behavior. Refer to the healthy things you do in a positive way, especially if you exercise. Somewhere between childhood and college we think of activity as a chore and forget how good exercise makes us feel. Invite them to do something healthy with their friends that you are willing to pay for i.e. 5k walk, a dietician, a trainer! As trainers, we have their undivided attention and we can give them direction without shame or consequences. Plus, we make it all about them and they love that. Don’t we all?