Though it can sometimes be challenging, I know that as parents, we all want what’s best for our children and strive to raise well-rounded, healthy kids. The demands of our busy lives all-too-often get in the way, though. However, there are simple things we can do each day to help us lead healthier lives and in turn, help our kids be healthier too! Thankfully, there are great resources out there such as the American Heart Association’s Pinterest board to help inspire us and provide us with ideas for incorporating better choices into our daily routines.
One easy step towards a healthier lifestyle that is simple and doesn’t require a lot of effort is to cut back on sugary drinks and replace them with more water. At home, I pretty much solely drink water on a day-to-day basis, plus an occasional cup of milk. If we dine out, I may indulge in a glass of sweet tea or soda, but we don’t dine out every day, so I feel like this balances out. My kids drink milk, 100% fruit juice, and water for their three main meals, but I am encouraging them to drink even more water in-between meals instead of grabbing juice. I’ve noticed there are a few things that have helped in the journey to getting them to drink more water. Let me share those tips with you in case getting your kids to drink more water is also a goal for your household!
5 Ways I Get My Kids to Drink More Water
- They each have a water bottle. (A cute one at that.) I’m not sure why it works (and I’m not questioning it, honestly), but there’s something about having individual water bottles they can each call their own that encourages my children to want to drink more water. It all began when my oldest needed a water bottle for school; soon after, her younger brother requested a refillable bottle of his own. As long as they’re drinking water, I have no problem providing them with cute refillable bottles!
- We always take their water bottle in the car. The same water bottle goes with them in the car when we go shopping or when my youngest has to wait in the car for his older sister to get out of school or if we’re running errands. It’s an easy way to avoid the “Mommy, I’m thirsty” complaints and as a bonus, it encourages water consumption. To be honest, with our Florida heat, it’s almost necessary to keep the kids hydrated and cool!
- We keep their water bottle full in the refrigerator. Even though we have a refrigerator with an in-door water dispenser, my kids are much more apt to drink water if they can quickly grab their already-filled water bottle from the fridge. You and I both know it’s just as easy to grab a cup and fill it with water from the dispenser, but such is the way with kids. So, we make sure their water bottles stay full and in the fridge for them to easily grab and drink.
- They take their water bottle to school. Only my oldest currently does this, but my youngest will do the same once he enters Kindergarten in August. Taking her water bottle to school allows her to drink water throughout the day at her desk (thankfully, teachers allow this) and also provides her with water during and after P.E. The trick is ensuring the bottle comes back home each day!
- I make sure they see me drinking water. One of the best ways to promote drinking more water is for my kids to see me doing the same! I also keep a large refillable bottle of water in the fridge that they see me drinking from during and in-between meals. They’re so used to it that they even go as far as grabbing it for me when we sit down to eat without me asking for it! Sweet, no?
Drinking more water has many benefits of course, but one of them is that we’re consuming less sugary drinks. Less sugary drinks is a super simple step in an overall goal of less added sugar in our diets and being healthier. Every little step counts, you know?
For even more ideas on how you can help your kids lead healthier lives, explore the Healthy Kids section of the American Heart Association website with your family! Kids will enjoy some of the activities and recipes listed, plus you’ll even find a link to a fun game app to help kids learn more about healthy food and eating! Additionally, be sure to join the American Heart Association’s Moms Facebook group, where you can connect with other moms, find healthy hacks, be inspired, and celebrate our best moments in this journey towards better living. You can even share your own reason for living a healthier, longer life!
All photos © Melanie Edwards/modernmami™
Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of American Heart Association and The bLink Marketing Network. All thoughts, opinions, and text are mine and not necessarily those of the American Heart Association.
