Five Reasons Why Kids NEED to be Healthy
August 31, 2006
According to an article in Parents magazine, “Ready, Set, Get Healthy,” your kids need to get active today and here’s the five reasons why:
- To Fight Obesity: The percentage of obese children has tripled since 1980.
- To Prevent Diabetes: More and more children are developing type 2 diabetes due to inactivity and fatty diets.
- To Live Longer: The Institute of Medicine predicts that today’s kids will be the first generation in history to die younger than their parents! Wow! A fit child, who gets regular excersie increases his changes for a long life.
- To Build a Stronger Body: Physical activity reduces weight, lowers blood pressure and helps build strong muscles and bones.
- To be a Happier Kid: Growing up is hard enough without being an overweight child!
For more information, see the full article on page 122 of the September 2006 issue of Parents or check out the free podcast on childhood obesity on the Parents web site.
A great way to keep your kids moving is to sign them up for a team sport. Kids can usually play soccer and t-ball through local sports organizations, YMCA or church programs starting at 4-years-old. This will help your kids learn a new skill, learn about cooperation, raise their self confidence and most importantly get them moving a couple hours per week between weekly games and practices.
Little Miss Sunshine (SharpMom Movie Review)
August 29, 2006
Last weekend, I went out with the girls for my friend’s birthday and we saw Little Miss Sunshine. I had no idea what the movie was about, I was just glad to be going out with some friends! But, it was such a pleasant surprise!
The film is about a dysfunctional family, the Hoover’s, who travel from Alburquerque to Redondo Beach, California, so their 7-year-old daughter, Olive, can participate in the Little Miss Sunshine pagent. Along the way, the family encounters everything from death and broken dreams to a broken-down VW bus. The film is full of life lessons and shows how a family can come together from failures not just successes.
A superb cast includes: Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette. And, although this movie is about real life and how people really live, it’s hilarious at times too! Let me just say this, the Hoover’s are not your average “pagent” family. Check it out. I really think you’ll enjoy it, but leave the kids at home. It’s rated R for language and some sex and drug content.
Rotten Tomatoes gives Little Miss Sunshine a 7.7/10. I think I would agree! Give us your review if you’ve seen the movie.
Parents’ Movie Guide (Tip of the Week)
August 28, 2006
My good friend, SharpMom Andrea, passed this great tip along to me. It’s a Parents’ Movie Guide that can be found on GuideLive.com. The chart gives parents an overview of all the movies currently playing at the theater and rates the use of violence, sexuality, offensive language, etc. to help parents determine if a movie is appropriate for their child. Here’s an example:
Monster House: Rated PG, 90 minutes
- Language: Mild
- Violence: Medium
- Drug Use: Mild
- Nudity: Partial
- Sexuality: None
So, might not want to take your 4-year-old to this one! Check out the chart, I think you’ll find it useful. Thanks Andrea!
About SharpMom
Hi, I'm Katie. I’ve been successfully working at home and homeschooling my kids for the past 14 years, so I figured it’s time to get out there and start sharing what I’ve learned along the way. I'm glad you're here to join in the fun!
