Healthy me...Thriving family

References - Caring for my family and my health

1. Lipani TA, Walker LS. J Pediatr Psychol. 2006 Aug;31(7):667-73. Children's appraisal and coping with pain: relation to maternal ratings of worry and restriction in family activities.

2. Rowley C, Dixon L, Palk R. Promoting physical activity: walking programmes for mothers and children. Community Pract. 2007 Mar;80(3):28-32.; Bell S, Lee C. Emerging adulthood and patterns of physical activity among young Australian women. Int J Behav Med. 2005;12(4):227-35.


Childhood mental and physical needs
National Australian Guidelines:
• Nutrition and Physical activity
• Mental health


Delayed gratification in childhood – Association with future success
Delayed gratification could be simply thought of as the ability to delay rewards today for a gain in the future (e.g. saving over spending). To function effectively, we need to be able to voluntarily postpone immediate gratification and persist in goal-directed behavior for the sake of later outcomes.

Studies have shown that children who delayed gratification longer developed into more aware and socially competent adolescents, achieving higher scholastic performance and coping better with frustration and stress (Mischel W, Shoda Y, Rodriguez MI. Delay of gratification in children. Science. 1989 May 26;244(4907):933-8.)

Parents can foster these attitudes in their children by leading by example when it comes to patience and perseverance. Teaching them to pick-up after themselves, saving for something they desire, doing their homework and making effort towards a longer-term goal are all ways to expand their ability to delay gratification.