How to Make the Best Use of the Time Parents Get With Their Children, Essay Example

We live in a noisy, busy world; computers, video games, movies, television, text messages and all other sorts of technological distractions compete for our attention every waking minute of every day. The parents and grandparents of today’s young children grew up in an era where simply having multiple cable-television channels might have been seen as a luxury. Today’s young children are growing up in a world where the Internet provides a window into an infinite wealth of information and an endless source of entertainment and amusement. It is now common for children to be raised in single-parent homes or in homes where both parents work, and parents find themselves stretched more thinly than ever as they try to balance the responsibilities of working and raising a family. Today’s parents are often forced to compromise when trying to decide how to make the best use of the time they do get with their children. Choosing between whether to engage in sports and games with their children or to devote their energies to helping then with schoolwork presents quite a dilemma; in trying to reach a decision, parents should keep in mind that physical health and well-being is a fundamental component of educational and academic success.

This does not mean, of course, that parents should only spend their time with kids in pursuit of athletic achievements or playing competitive games. It does mean, however, that parents are the ones responsible for ensuring their children are well-fed and get enough exercise. Schools typically have athletic programs, but the emphasis is on academic studies. Children who get lots of exercise are more likely to succeed in school. Parents can still help their kids with schoolwork, but they must first establish a healthy physical routine and exercise regiment for their children to set them on the path of academic success.