Raising Great Kids Blog

Yes, that’s right, TRY-athlon (not triathlon) – and I can’t think of a more fun way of raising great kids.

So what is it?

Tryathlon is organised annually by Sanitarium Week-Bix and is held in most major cities in Australia around February/March time. It’s an absolutely wonderful event and the whole idea is that kids have a go at taking part in a triathlon, thoroughly enjoying themselves along the way.   It’s not a race, it’s just about taking part and having a TRY …and everyone’s a winner, whether or not they are able to fully complete each event.

It starts with the swim

The Sydney Tryathlon is held at Homebush Olympic Park and the event starts in the Olympic pool.  The atmosphere is electric as boys and girls line up in their age groups to start their swim.  There are plenty of life-guards both in and out of the water to help any kids who might be struggling.  And if it all becomes too hard the kids can get out of the pool and go onto the next part of the event.

The next part is the cycle

All the bikes are lined up in age and gender order before the Tryathlon starts – and there are hundreds of them.  As soon as the kids are out of the pool they make their way to their bikes.  Shoes, helmets and sponsor vests are put on as quickly as possible and off they go on the cycle leg.  It’s just so exciting.

The final leg is the run

Bikes are put back in their original places and the final run leg starts.  Some kids forget to take off their bike helmets and others still have swim caps and goggles in place – but doesn’t matter.  Everyone’s having a go – and more importantly, having fun.  As the kids cross the finishing line they are given a ‘gold’ medal – and if they don’t quite make it to the finishing line, they get one anyway for taking part.  Like I said earlier, they are all winners!

Talk about raising great kids, it happens with abundance every year at this event.

From experience…

If you live in Australia you’ll know it can be very hot in summer and on the three occasions my boys have taken part the weather has been in the high 30′s.  Remember to take lots of extra water and water-proof  suntan cream.  It’s also a good idea to encourage your kids to train for the event, that way they have a better chance of being able to complete the race without assistance.

You can find out more about Sanitarium Week-Bix Tryathlon here.  Events fill up fast, so if your children are keen to be involved in 2011 I suggest you book soon.

Thanks for reading another raising great kids blog.  Taking part in Tryathlon – just another way of raising great kids.

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Jan Littlehales

From the moment a mother conceives there is an undeniable bond created and from that moment a mother will do all in her power to love and protect her baby.

The need to protect…

While raising great kids, the absolute need to protect our children is amazingly strong.  We protect them from all sorts of potential danger.  When they are very young we do all we can to protect them from drowning, serious falls, burns, choking, getting sick and even against starvation.

As they grow our need to protect them doesn’t waver.   Any parent who has had a child in hospital because of sickness or injury will tell you they would gladly trade places with them if they could.  To see your own child suffering has got to be one of the hardest things a parent has to do.  It’s all consuming and at that time nothing else matters except the well-being of your child.

But …

Yes, there is a but.  While raising great kids, there are many times when you have to learn to let go.  And I’m the first to admit letting go hasn’t always been easy for me.

I remember…

…the first time my eldest son cycled to school – on his own – without my protection.

It wasn’t as if he wasn’t prepared.  I’d been cycling to school with him every Friday (weather permitting) for years.  So when he started High School, which was right next to his old Primary School, there was no reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to cycle the 5 kilometres by himself.

Plenty of other kids were doing it and it was mostly on pavements.  He’d proved to me numerous times he knew how to safely navigate the two roundabouts and to always be on the lookout for cars backing out of driveways.  He knew to look and listen constantly and go slowly through the group of people at the bus stop.  And he knew to be extra careful cycling passed two ‘blind’ driveways.

So why did I feel physically sick the first day he did it?  I knew the cycle to school would take no more than 20 minutes, but it was only when I hadn’t heard anything from anybody (police, school, etc) for about an hour that I finally started to relax and accept he’d got to school safely.

Of course I started feeling sick again around 3 o’clock in the afternoon when I knew he’d be getting ready to cycle home.  When I heard the side gate being opened and knew he’d got home safely I managed to quickly pull myself together and welcome him home.

The days became weeks and the weeks became months, and slowly but surely I began to comfortably accept that my son was perfectly capable of getting to and from school safely – on his own – without my protection.  I was finally letting go.

By the way…

I went through exactly the same scenario three years later with my younger son.

Just one of many

Of course, the cycling to school story is just one of many situations where I’ve had to learn to let go while raising great kids.  Over the years there have been numerous times, even when my boys were young.  Think about the first time you left your precious baby with a non-family member baby-sitter.  Or your child’s first day at school.  Or their first sleep-over at a friend’s place.  These were like mini letting go’s, to prepare you for the bigger letting go stuff ahead.

I recall the first time my son wanted to go surfing, just with his mates – and when he celebrated New Year’s Eve in the City, watching the Harbour Bridge fireworks, with his mates.  Driving by himself after passing his driving test.  Flying to Queensland with his mates on a surfing holiday.  And even now at 18, going to parties, pubs and clubs.

It does get easier

I know I’ve come a long way because my eldest son is currently at the snow with his mates and I’m confident and comfortable that he’ll be happy, healthy and safe.

Raising Great Kids – Letting Go

It’s been my experience that a wonderful thing happens to your kids as you gradually learn to let go.  They become happy individuals, able to confidently and comfortably stand on their own two feet and take on whatever life has to offer.

As parents it’s what we want – isn’t it?

What has been your experience of letting go?

I always love to receive your comments, so let me know what your thoughts are on raising great kids and letting go.

Thanks for reading another Raising Great Kids blog.

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Jan Littlehales

Living on the northern beaches of Sydney I visit the beach regularly, although these days it’s often just my husband and me.  My husband usually goes for a surf and I go for a long walk on the beach.  But this post isn’t about walking – it’s about building sandcastles.

Click here to get “Sandcastles for Everyone” DVD

How to sculpt Castles, People and Animals at the Beach

Some Things Never Change

While our teenage boys might head to the beach by themselves these days, some things never change.  Visit almost any beach on the northern beaches of Sydney, any time of the year, and there are mums and dads with their children building sandcastles – although I’ll admit it is usually the dads who get more involved.  Kids just seem to love it.  I bet it’s the same on your local beaches.

The Simple Things are Often the Best

Building sandcastles can be as simple as a couple of upturned buckets of sand with lollipop sticks stuck in the top, to sophisticated creations with spirals and moats.  Just last weekend on Manly Beach I saw the Egyptian Pyramids and a Sphinx made out of sand – along with a couple of great kids and their parents looking very proud of themselves.

But whatever you make, the simple pleasure of spending a morning or afternoon on the beach with your kids and creating something out of sand has got to be a top way of raising great kids.

But you have to help

Have you noticed that when kids are young they love to build sandcastles – but only if you help.  It’s not just about them building sandcastle, it’s about them spending time with you.  Kids just love it when you engage with them.  As they get older they might be happy to build sandcastles on their own, but watch how their enthusiasm increases if they get other willing and interested helpers.

I’m sure most parents would agree that raising great kids does have it’s tricky moments, but sometimes it can be as simple as building sandcastles.

Raising Great Kids – Safety Comes First

Of course the beach can be a dangerous place and parents need to be particularly careful when they are there with children.  The water, the sun and even the sand can be dangerous, so take all necessary safety precautions. In Australia it’s always a good idea to swim and play between the flags.

Do you go to the beach with your children?  Do you  build sandcastles?  I’d love to hear about it.

Thanks for reading another Raising Great Kids Blog.

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I’ve just returned from a 3 weeks holiday with my family in the Lake District, in the North West of England (where I’m originally from).  Walking is something my husband and I have done with our boys since they were very young.  Now, aged 18 and 15, they are as eager as ever to come on walking holidays and will happily hike up any mountain we suggest – the steeper the better, as far as my 18 year old is concerned.

Hiking up Scarfell Pike - Lake District UK - July 2010

Spending quality time walking with your children is one of the best ways I know of raising great kids.  It’s a real pleasure to get out in the fresh air (sometimes a bit too fresh in England), admire the fabulous scenery and spend hours of time together.  There’s really nothing like it and I recommend it to all parents who are keen walkers.  Even if you’re not a walker yet, you might get to love it if you give it a try.

You don’t have to climb mountains

Quality family time together can be as easy as walking on the beach.  Slip off your shoes, walk along the water’s edge,  feel the water between your toes and the wind in your hair.  Check out your local area and see if there are any local foot paths and walk-ways.  Are there any national parks in your area?

Having lived in Sydney for almost 18 years, I think we have walked almost every harbour, bush and beach walk with our boys.  Even now, if we are heading into the City at the weekend to visit museums, markets or gardens, we will park the car on the south side of the harbour and walk over Sydney Harbour Bridge to our destination. Walking back over the Bridge at sunset is an experience not to be missed.

Total Cost – Zero

One of the great things about walking is that it’s free.  If you pack a delicious picnic for lunch, eaten away from crowds and queues, a day spent with your children will cost you very little.

Lunch Stop

Don’t walk in Ugg Boots

You wouldn’t wear slippers to play football or wear ski boots when you go cycling, but you’d be surprised how may walkers wear totally inappropriate footwear while walking.  Just last week in a UK newspaper there was an article about walkers twisting ankles and having to be rescued (at great expense) because they were hiking in Ugg Boots.  I’ve seen children and their parents hiking in the Blue Mountains (2 hours drive from Sydney) in thongs – that’s flip-flops by the way, not the other type of thong.

Leaving the summit of Bowfell - Lake Distrit UK - July 2010

If you’re planning a walk, think about what is appropriate footwear for the type of walk you are doing.  Hiking boots that give proper ankle support are best for walking in the mountains; walking/running shoes might be more suitable for flat walks.  If your children have sore feet at the end of the day because of wearing inappropriate footwear, they are unlikely to want to go walking again.

Added Bonus

Of course, you wont just have lots of fun walking together as a family, you’ll also get fit if you do it regularly.  Walking – just one more way of raising great kids.

Final Photo (I can’t resist)

Summit - Avalanche Peak New Zealand

Thanks for reading another Raising Great Kids Blog. You can leave any comments or suggestion below.

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Jan Littlehales

Most parents will have seen the effects unhealthy food can have on their children.  Just think about the party they went to, where they ate sausage rolls, party pies, donuts, potato chips and cheap lollies, all swilled down with an endless supply of fizzy soft drink.  Did your child come home hyper-active, cranky and rude? or maybe dazed and half asleep?  Foods filled with preservatives, colorings, food enhancers and other nasty things can have that effect on children – and it’s frightening.

Develop Healthy Eating Habits from an Early Age

While raising great kids, developing healthy eating habits from an early age is crucial.  The most obvious benefit is health, but it’s more than that.  If healthy eating habits are established in childhood, there’s a good chance those habits will stay with them for life.  As they become adults themselves they will hopefully then pass on similar eating habits to their own children.

Behaviour at School

Out of control and bad behaviour at school can sometimes be linked to a child’s diet.  In Australia, school canteens now have strict guidelines about what they can and can’t sell.  I think similar rules exist in other countries.  If your child takes a packed lunch, make sure it’s filled with delicious healthy options – like their favourite fruit and tasty wholemeal sandwiches.  Avoid packets of potato chips, biscuits, fizzy drinks and lollies.  Homemade muffins can be much healthier than bought ones and make a tasty treat.

The Cost of Eating Healthy Food while Raising Great Kids

I’ve heard people say they can’t afford healthy eating habits, but the cost of raw ingredients can be relatively cheap when compared with ready made packaged food and take-aways.  There are many pasta, rice and noodle dishes that can be made at home quickly and cheaply.  What are your thoughts?

What if I Can’t Cook

There is a wealth of free information available on the web about cooking. Preparing a family meal doesn’t have to take hours or be complicated.  There are plenty of recipes where you can prepare Dinner in Ten Minutes.  Have a browse on line and see what you can find – and look for recipes that only have around 6 ingredients of less to start off with, to keep it simple.

Things That Have Helped Me

• Always have a good selection of fresh fruit available in the house
• On outings, take a tasty packed lunch
• When driving long distance, pack delicious healthy foods to eat on the way
• When time permits, bake your own cakes and biscuits
• Fresh fruit juice, not fizzy drinks
• Make healthy smoothies
• Get in the habit of drinking water with meals
• Make double quantities and freeze half for another day
• Always start the day with a healthy breakfast
• Eat meals at the dining table
• Get your children involved and teach them how to cook and bake

Educate your Children from an Early Age

From an early age we talked with our boys about the benefits of eating good food – and the consequences of continually eating rubbish.  That’s not to say you can’t enjoy chocolate, ice-cream and take-away pizza now and again.  But everything in moderation.  My 18 year old boy continues to be a healthy eater of his own choice now – and I couldn’t be happier.

So What are Your Thoughts?

What has been your experience with healthy eating habits?

Thanks for reading another Raising Great Kids post.

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Jan Littlehales