Strong4Life: King for a Day

Dads, your big day is here again!

I salute you all, especially the great guy my kids call Dad. My husband is a hero who works tirelessly to help me balance our work, our kids' needs, and most especially, the health and wellbeing of our family.

This didn’t come easily, as he grew up in rural Ireland with the “clean your plate” philosophy. In the end, though, we’re on the same page when it comes to making health a priority and we wholeheartedly agree that healthy eating and physical activity are the keys. We support each other in making healthy choices behind the scenes and definitely in front of the kids.

If you’re not on the same page with your co-parent, I suggest you talk about it. Figure out and agree on the healthy behaviors you want to establish for your family. Then, together, make a change, one small step at a time.

In honor of Father’s Day, I’m sharing some special ideas just for dad, an important leader in making the family Strong4Life:

Make it fun! Often, when dad says something, everyone listens. I encourage dads to be the one to get the family moving—plan a family walk, an afternoon playing at the park or a bike ride. Your kids will be thrilled to be spending this special time with you.

Whip something up. How about making one night a week “Dad’s Dinner Night?” You can come up with a healthy menu and the kids will get a kick out of you running the show (they might even want to help!) Bring something unexpected (like a new food) to the mix to make it fun.

Be a model dad. Dad, it’s your job as a parent to be a role model of good health whenever you can. If you make health a priority, your kids will pick up on it and aspire to be just like you.

Get fit.  Even if it’s at night or early in the morning, make sure you get enough exercise. When you're snacking, they're watching. Try to make healthy choices: fruit instead of chips, and water instead of soda, tea and sports drinks.

Drink up. Speaking of water, make sure everyone in the family has a bottle. Carry your water bottles wherever you go and encourage your kids to keep filling up.

Dads, you’re the greatest. You’re a hero to your kids, a living example of all they want to become. Thanks for always giving them your best. Today we celebrate your hard work—and your hard play. J 

Post your stories on our Facebook page about things you did with your dad, things your kids and their dad do or, if you are a dad, things you do with your kids. Happy Father’s Day!

Strong4Life is a movement created by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to address the childhood obesity medical crisis that is threatening nearly one million kids in Georgia. For information about Strong4Life visit our website, Facebook, Twitter,YouTube, and Strong4Life Blog.