How to be a “smexy” mom for your toddlers

I believe that experience is always the best source of lifetime learning. Mothers who have truly experienced what it's like caring for their children are the most credible sources. Adding to mothers' experience, I'd like to share some things I know about staying smart and sexy for you and your family.

I guess it is every mom's dream to stay fit and sexy even after she has given birth. I know one close friend whose dream is to be a hot momma  and she is actually living that dream now. In caring for children, mothers must never forget to also take good care of themselves.

Young children must have proper nutrition because, without it, their growth and development can be greatly affected. As a mother, you must take an active role in the development of your children. This responsibility can be fulfilled ideally if you know how to be smart and sexy or a “smexy” mom.

The many things that your children learn in the early years of their life can shape his/her thinking. This includes how the child views food and nutrition. It is therefore significant for mothers to provide a positive outlook on health and nutrition to their children who are very much receptive to learning during toddlerhood. This is the best time when you can actually pass on your own eating habits and how you look at the kinds of food you eat. 

Toddlerhood is the stage wherein the child is between ages 1-3 years and is actively developing in the mental, psychosocial and physical aspect. This is the time when anything you tell your child gets readily absorbed in their memory which becomes the basis for learning. This is also the stage when your child becomes terribly obsessed with being in control or what is referred to as sense of autonomy. That is why we often hear them say, “No.” This is their favorite word in their attempt to take control of any situation. This is expected in normally developing toddlers. Additionally, this is also the time when your child learns how to handle spoon and fork (although they do not have full control of their movements yet), sit when eating and drink their bottle of milk on their own. Understanding the growth and development of this age group and knowing how to handle toddlers is a great key to a life lived as enjoyable as possible yet maintaining good health for both you and your toddler. You can choose to be a smart mom and stay fit for the rest of your life. Be a good role model for your toddler.

Balanced Daily Diet

 In order for mothers and toddlers to function well in their activities of daily living, they must need a balanced daily nutrition. This means that you have to choose the right foods at the right time. The proper foods that you choose can have influence on the choice of foods your toddlers will eventually have for themselves too. This can be critical because toddlers easily absorb what they hear and see during this stage of development in their life.

Meal Planning

Proper guidance and setting good example by “smexy” mothers can be done through an understanding of which foods are ideal for her and her children. With this, mothers can create a plan that will ensure that toddlers eat from the right food groups and will be able to limit their food intake of those that do not provide adequate nutrients.

Eating Habits

It takes approximately 2 months to make an action to become a habit. Make good eating habits for yourself and your toddlers. Make it a family habit that every meal time, each member shall be sitting on their assigned chairs in the dining area. No one will start eating unless everyone is there. You and your husband must commit to this even with your busy schedule at work. If you find it impossible to go back home for lunch considering your job has only 30- minute lunch break, then at least make sure everybody is there for breakfast and dinner. This will be the best place and time to bond with each other and influence your toddlers into good eating habits. If you are a single mom/dad, make sure to spend time with your child maybe at least one meal in a day.

During your day off, create an activity together in which you allow your toddlers’ sense of autonomy to be exercised. Let them help you and/or your husband prepare a healthy meal. This will be an activity that they will definitely be looking forward to for as long as you allow an atmosphere that makes them enjoy the activity. 

Always remember that your actions can become habits and your habits become your character. Your character greatly contributes to the personality development of your toddlers. Create a healthy attitude on nutrition for your kids by being a living example. Be a “smexy” mom. You can be smart and sexy through eating a balanced daily diet, planning your family’s meal no matter what and creating good eating habits to influence your wonderful toddlers.