Presbyterian | Your Story | Centennial Care | Fall 2021

Your story Your Story is published for members of Presbyterian Health Plan, Inc., and Presbyterian Insurance Company, Inc. P.O. Box 27489 Albuquerque, NM 87125-7489 www.phs.org Managing editor: fluentqc@phs.org Information in Your Story comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Such services are funded in part with the State of New Mexico. Presbyterian complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al (505) 923-5420 , 1-855-592-7737 (TTY: 711 ) . Díí baa akó nínízin: Díí saad bee yání ł ti’go Diné Bizaad, saad bee áká’ánída’áwo’d66’, t’áá jiik’eh éí ná hól=, koj8’ hódíílnih (505) 923-5420 , 1-855-592-7737 (TTY: 711 ) . Like us on Facebook Facebook.com/PresHealth 2021 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. MPC082101 Centennial Care #4051 Children who are struggling with their weight need love and support to put them on the path to a healthy future. And there’s plenty parents can do. Here are four ways to help your child that you might not have thought of before: 1. Stick to a schedule. Try to eat meals as a family around the same time each day. Plan for snack times too. Kids tend to make better food choices when families eat together at predictable times. 2. Have a weekend plan. Some kids may be active during the week at school, then spend weekends glued to screens. To keep kids moving, plan some fun activities like family walks, trips to a park, or a backyard soccer game. 3. Teach them how to handle stress. It’s important for kids to learn healthy coping methods, like journaling, enjoying a hobby, or talking about problems with family and friends. Tools like these can help them avoid turning to food for comfort. 4. Work on a bedtime routine. A lack of sleep may contribute to weight gain. Help your child hit the pillow at the same time each night—perhaps right after a relaxing book or bath. And banish sleep-stealing devices—like phones, TVs, and computers—from the bedroom. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; HelpGuide How to talk to your kids about underage drinking Kids shouldn’t drink alcohol, but many of them do anyway. As a parent, there is a lot you can do to prevent this. Up to 80 percent of teens say their parents have the biggest influence over whether they drink. It matters to your child what you say and do. Start talking to them at a young age. Talk to your kids early and often about the risks of drinking. Many kids as young as nine are ready for these talks. You may want to: ● Ask them what they already know about alcohol ● Tell them about someone you know who was harmed by alcohol ● Help them practice saying “no” if offered a drink ● Give them facts about the risks related to drinking ● Encourage them to ask questions Keep your rules against drinking clear and consistent. Make sure your child knows, without a doubt, that drinking is not allowed. Be steady with this message and with your enforcement of this rule. Be involved. Know where your kids go, who they’re with, and what they do. Check in with other parents about what your kids are doing. Need more advice about talking to your kids? Talk to your child’s healthcare provider. They can help you with hard topics like alcohol and drugs. Your child is listening, and what you do and say can make a difference. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Need to brush up on the basics? Healthy foods and plenty of exercise can help kids reach a healthy weight. But children shouldn’t diet unless their provider recommends it. If you have concerns about your child’s weight, make an appointment with their provider. They can help you support your child. Help your child reach a healthy weight