It’s not really a challenge getting a kid to drink something. The average child loves sodas, milk, juice, smoothies, milkshakes, and so on. But the main struggle is getting kids to drink water. Honestly, for a lot of adults, it seems to be a hassle too. Sure, it’s understandable; after all, water is bland; it doesn’t have a taste. So why drink something, especially frequently, if it lacks taste? While this might be the case, it’s so important to get your kid to cut out sugar and swap what they eat and drink for healthier alternatives. When it comes to anybody, it can be a struggle.
After all, why drink basic water when there are drinks with a flavor that can also keep you hydrated? Fortunately, even if water, there are ways! So, here is everything you need to know to get your little ones to drink more water.
Keep it Easily Accessible
Honestly, it’s as simple as allowing them to get water from the tap, a pitcher, or even straight from the fridge. But the convenience factor of water is immediately going to help with getting your kids to drink it. When it comes to water, you’ll obviously want to consider things like the best alkaline water filter for your tap and so on. Just make sure the drinking water is safe, easily accessible, and you could even get some reusable water bottles and just have them in the fridge for additional convenience. Overall, if it’s easily accessible, it’s going to be more in demand.
Make Slow and Gradual Changes
When it comes to creating healthy habits, almost always, your best bet is to go about a slow and gradual change. If your child is more accustomed to drinking flavored beverages, ease them into the switch slowly by mixing equal parts juice and water and gradually decreasing the amount of juice each week. You can also use a whiteboard or chart to track daily water consumption and reward them with a fun activity when they meet their goal.
Always Try to Set a Good Example
If they see you drinking water, they’re going to drink it too. When it comes to basically any healthy habit, if you’re doing it, they’re going to do it too. Plus, just think about it, if your home has a certain culture, such as a strong health culture, this is going to surround your child and influence them. But it’s all going to start with you and the example that you choose to make.
Flavored Water is Fine
One thing you need to keep in mind is that it’s entirely okay to enjoy flavored water. There’s a difference between soda and water. The same can be said for juice and water. Adding some fruit to the water, like lemon or even mint, is going to make it taste great, with little calories. Just keep in mind that lemon water, cucumber water, or any infused water can be a good thing, and it can even have the potential to be exactly what a kid needs to start drinking more water.
