Parenting as a Christian Single Dad

The past several weeks I have been on a diet, actually I am trying to encourage a lifestyle change to eat better and lose some unwanted body fat. Naturally Madalyn has been a recipient of my new diet - eating the boring meals I have been making. Last night she even told me how much she misses pizza… Poor kid, daddy misses pizza too and I miss chocolate, ice cream, pasta, dr pepper, fruit snacks, etc. The real hard part is that I work for a sugar company and we get all sorts of goodies this time of the year, that are very tempting, from our customers and third party associates. It is hard to say no to 5# blocks of chocolate or cookies that melt in your mouth from across the country. ---Oh boy! Huge digression here—back to the point.

Studies have shown that the prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 – 11 has more than doubled over the years. It has tripled for ages 12 – 19. Overweight children have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. We all have heard the risks of being overweight and how it affects the body; increased risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, etc.

I have started setting goals for myself and I think setting goals for Madalyn is a great idea. If we don’t know where we want to go then we will never get there.

I know it is difficult to set goals for your children but this is really more of a goal setting exercise for you to do with your children. Setting goals helps to be accountable and promote growth and discipline.

Types of goals you can set to help your children live healthy lives:

• I will cook healthy foods for myself and my children.


• I will get regular physical activity with my children.


• I will minimize sugary snacks.


• I will get involved with my children at school.


• I will be physically active with my children 3 times per week.

You see where this is heading? Promote health and being physically active with your children. Be a “doer” not a “talker”. Have a plan of action on how to accomplish your goals and it will go much smoother.

I have also been considering getting a Wii for myself and Madalyn. I hear that the sports games that come with it are pretty cool and there are games for children of all ages. The price has sure come down on them and when the weather gets colder it is neat to have fun things to do inside that help get physically active. I have seen the Wii on Amazon
for $199.