January 2011, Parent Kids Right Newsletter

Autographed Book Winner

We will continue our book drawing in the February Newsletter. If you haven't posted something on our Facebook page, what are you waiting for? Don't you want a signed copy of ParenTips?

TINY ParenTip of THE MONTH

Children need both PREDICTABLE ROUTINES and CREATIVE SURPRISES. Yes, routines can be dull but they are the glue that holds a family together because everybody knows what to expect when. The best predictable routine is the family dinner. Make it happen several nights a week. Think up some exciting surprises too. Picnics indoors in the winter. New activities or projects the whole family can do together like forming their own band. Even a chore like cleaning out the garage can be fun if everybody is involved.

News from Dr. Heins

Overweight kids (and grownups too) can lose weight without going on a diet. They do it by the numbers. They follow the 5-2-1-0 Rule.

5 = five servings of fruits and vegetables every day
2 = two hours or less of TV or video games a day
1 = one hour of exercise every day
0 = zero sugary foods or drinks

Teens who go to the Lincoln Hospital Center Pediatric Obesity Program in New York have lost weight on this regimen.

Dr. Heins would like to add two more points. PORTION CONTROL is very important in our USA Land of Plenty. Most restaurants serve two or three times the amount in a normal serving. And, alas, we do this at home as well.

Plus NO MINDLESS EATING. This is when you sit down in front of the TV with a big bowl of unbuttered popcorn (healthy snack) and mindlessly eat the whole thing even though you’re not hungry (unhealthy habit).

Thank you loyal subscribers! If you have any suggestions for me or for ParentKidsRight.com please respond to this e-mail.

Happy Parenting!
Dr. Heins

You can find Dr. Heins on Twitter where she will post website updates: http://twitter.com/drheins and on her parenting blog at Dr Heins’ Post: http://www.drheins.blogspot.com/