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How No TV And Junk Food Has Changed My Child’s Mindset

We live in a world now full of distractions and junk food all around us. The pull TV and film have on us is unprecedented in human history. There are still people alive who grew up as children who never had these dopamine heavy hitters pulling on them.

I have noticed in my children how TV and junk food has a spell over their actions where the need to have them is similar to an addict craving their next hit.

The art of being bored is becoming lost with every generation and as an adult, I can see the challenges in this let alone a child dealing with these new impulses.

Wanting the best for our children’s health. We made a parenting decision to ban all junk food and reduce TV time to just 20 minutes a day.

Here’s what I found. The results are amazing.

How No TV And Junk Food

1. We Talk More

Without distractions from TV, I have noticed we defiantly talk more as a family. It’s so easy to have Netflix streaming all their favourite programs to give a parent rest bite or so they can focus on their work. But the only person that’s benefiting is you. Building a strong relationship with your child is the bedrock of a healthy child. The bond between parent and child is one of the strongest relationships there is. Nurturing this through quality one on one time without distraction is important.

2. Creativity Is Unlocked

Our first child never watched much TV when he was little. The creativity of a child is wonderous and the amazing things he created always impressed me. Since we reduced TV time he’s creativity has gone through the roof. Now he’s building his lego and creating playful games with his imagination. Creativity plays a major role in someone’s life and developing it in childhood is a great place to start. Without TV pulling him away from creativity, it’s now unlocked a part of his mind he can utilise more easily.

3. Become Calmer

The effects of sugar on a child’s brain are apparent and the need for a child to watch their TV shows. We started to notice a demand for sugar and tv that was making them emotionally unbalanced. After the second day, we noticed a profound calmness in our children that was amazing. They still asked for sweets and extra TV time. But when we said no it was more understood and overall their energy became less erratic and much calmer.

4. Mealtime Is Relaxed

Getting any child to eat their greens is a chore. We found it difficult getting our children to eat food with TV distracting them and eating healthy food when they have had sugar throughout the day. Now without TV, the food is eaten without having to tell them to eat. The tastebuds are changing to like healthier options more. Overall mealtime has become a resounding hit. Where we eat food without distraction building stronger connections with our children.

5. More Time For Learning

Every parent wants the best for their children and we are no different. But getting our child to do extra work at home was always met with sighs. In his mind, all he wanted to do was watch TV or play his games all day. This became a too and throw battle every time it was brought up and became tiring for both of us. Since TV time has been reduced it has become a lot easier to focus on his education at home. We have seen an improvement in his Maths and English writing and now he even looks forward to doing it.

6. Time Alone With Their Thoughts

Being happy to spend alone time with yourself is so important for everyone’s mental health. It always saddened me when my child hated to spend time alone and the need to be distracted compelled him. I’m happy to say this has now changed and the skill of being able to spend time with his thoughts happily is here. Now he’s developing his ideas and wants in life. He’s also becoming more independent and wanting responsibilities. Lastly, he is happy to spend time on his working on his projects happily. Without distraction, there is more time for mindful thoughts.

The Results

I’m so happy with the decision we made as parents. With the pull of TV, junk food, games and social media on children. It’s ever-important we educate ourselves on the danger this could have on a child’s upbringing.

When listening to people who have created these platforms they don’t even let their children use them. Steve Jobs created the iPad but refused to let his child use it, knowing its addiction fully existed. The same goes for social media developers who have come forward to state the dangers these platforms have and their children will never go on it until they are 18.

Deep down we all know the impact technology and the food we eat has on ourselves and our children. It’s just waking up our minds to action. To put the rights structures in place and to not let them control your thoughts. Balance Is everything and creating that for your child is so important.

These are my findings and I hope they help you with your parenting in any way.

Want more on parenting tips? Read our articles on becoming a better parent.

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How The Perception Of Being A Man Is All Wrong

Since a young boy, I have watched films with male lead characters that have inspired me to be more like them. From Maximus Aurelius in Gladiator to Batman himself in Christopher Nolan epic trilogy. Both command a strong, fearless warrior with bravery and courage. Characteristics any man would want to uphold. But these stereotypes of what men should be. Is accumulating in the perception of being a man to be like Leonidus of Sparta in a modern world.

As far back as history can go humans and men especially. Have contested in tribal battles and global warfare. This creates a certain type of man. All the films I’ve disclosed above have male lead characters perfectly designed for battle-hardened men.

In the 21st century, we now live in a world of relative peace where our old male stereotype is not needed. We can take the positive characters and use them in business and sports but there is a new layer that needs implementing. A part of us that can express our feelings without being called demeaning words that put men right back in their shells.

The courage you see from these characters in films needs to be used to create a new man. That is strong but vulnerable. A man who leads from the front but is also open to receiving help. A man who sees his fellow women as equal not someone he has to provide for.

A New World

Men are entering a new world and the role they once had is becoming the past. Some will look back to the good old times of male toughness, stoicism and being a non-emotional man. When little do they know the negative side effects that their fellow man has to go through. Has great consequences on their mental health.

So today will discuss what changes men can make to create a healthy mindset. Without losing their identity of being a man.

Creating A Healthy Mindset

Like any major change from the norm. It will face pushback and difficulty. For it to succeed it takes courage, leadership and a mindset to persevere.

If I compared myself from when I was a young boy to now. I’m definitely living with a healthier mindset of what it means to be a man. But there are still times when I think I shouldn’t cry or I shouldn’t let anyone know my problems from the fret that isn’t a very man-like thing to do.

Of course, it’s ridiculous but these are feelings men feel on a daily basis. Habits are definitely passed down from generations but all it takes is one person to break away from the old ways. Thanks to the internet there are amazing people speaking openly about what men go through and how to make a positive change like mantalks and humenorg.

What Change Can We Make Today

Speak Up

I was the first person in my family to ever go to university. Like many these days, young people are changing their family trees into better financial situations. Being the first to take action takes courage but also can create change.

By creating a safe space for men to talk openly without ridicule from other men is the first place to start. You have to understand that when other men say things and you get a male response that’s negative. It Isn’t their words, it’s the words and thoughts they have been taught. This does not mean they believe or want to be macho male type deep down. It is just a reactive habit.

But nothing will change if no one takes action to change. So as painful as it is. Speaking up and allowing no judgement on your behalf when other men want to open up. It will go a long way in creating trust and shaping men in the modern world.

Be The Man You Want To Be

There is no e way to should act. The only focus you should have is being the man you want to be. Listening to your gut and what makes you happier in life he focus. If you want to cry when watching a film do it. You want to express how you feel openly do it. If you want to do ballet or any perceived non-manly sport do it. There is no written formula for how you should live your life. Forget peoples judgement of your external choices that go against the grain. Just focus on your internal mindset by developing your mindset towards positive character traits of love, kindness, gratitude, trustworthy and the list can go on. This is what you can control the rest is up to everyone else.

It’s Normal To Have Feelings

Men expressing their feelings is stereotyped as some sought of weakness in society. Men expressing how they feel openly shows vulnerability and courage.

This is a positive trait and only people who look their nose down upon anyone doing this. Only wish they could be like you. They too have feelings and instead of showing the courage to express them, they would rather move the attention away from you.

It’s a man-made idea that men shouldn’t express their feelings. Now how you express your feelings is unique to every individual.

As a man, I like to express my feeling with writing. I put all my feelings on paper and learn how to deal with problems, forgiveness and sometimes nothing at all. You have to understand feeling is energy that needs to escape. Instead of bottling them up to explode out of control, I transfer them onto paper. I only express the emotions from the paper to the real world of my choosing.

There are many ways like speaking to someone you can trust or seeking professional help.

Whatever your way is, knowing that having emotions and expressing emotions is normal.

To Conclude

I definitely don’t have all the answers and I’m on my own journey into developing a healthy male mindset. I open up the discussion thoughts or practical actions to better equip men. I’m more than open too.

Please don’t forget to like, share and comment It means a lot to know if this has resonated with you.

A Final Word From The Future Mindset

I hope you enjoyed today’s article How The Perception Of Being A Man Is All Wrong. I hope the article has helped in some way.

If you want to take your mindset to the next level how about scheduling a 30-min discovery session to chat about your current status, results you want, and next steps. Don’t hesitate to contact me at adam@thefuturemindset.com

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