Motherhood has a funny way of changing your priorities.
Before having kids, I thought I was a fairly particular person. I liked things organised, I preferred home-cooked food, and I cared about keeping my surroundings clean. But after becoming a mother, these things started feeling less like preferences and more like little responsibilities I carry every day.
Being a doctor adds another layer to it. I have seen enough to know that many everyday habits can have a significant impact on our health. At the same time, being a mom has taught me that you cannot sterilise your children's entire world or control everything they touch, eat or experience. And honestly, you shouldn't.
So, I try to focus on three things that matter to me the most: cleanliness, sustainability and nutritious food for my kids.
1. Cleanliness
I am particular about cleanliness at home. Very particular, actually.
With children around, there are always sticky fingers, muddy shoes, toys on the floor and mysterious crumbs hiding in places I didn't even know existed. But beyond keeping the house looking clean, I am conscious about hygiene because of what I have seen professionally.
Children touch everything. Door handles, floors, playground equipment, shopping carts, pets, their shoes and then, inevitably, their faces and food. Germs are simply a part of everyday life.
So I am quite finicky about sanitizing everything on a regular basis, things which can't be washed. Like gadgets, upholstery, closets and cabinets etc. We don't wear outside clothes inside the house and if any guest sits on the bed, I wash the sheets before lying on it. Similarly, we wash every exposed body part after coming back from outside and of course shoes are an absolute NO inside the house.
I want my kids to understand simple habits like washing their hands before eating, after using the washroom and after coming home from outside. I make sure fruits and vegetables are washed properly, kitchen surfaces are cleaned regularly, and their water bottles, lunch boxes and frequently used items don't get neglected.
At the same time, I let them play outdoors, get their hands dirty, explore and be kids.
Because the goal isn't to protect them from every single germ. It is to teach them healthy habits that will stay with them as they grow.
2. Sustainability because their future matters too
The second thing I am particular about is sustainability.
Having children has made me think about the world in a completely different way.
When I look at my kids, I don't just think about the kind of childhood I want them to have today. I think about the kind of world they will grow up in.
That makes me more conscious about the little choices we make at home.
We try to avoid unnecessary plastic whenever possible. I prefer reusable water bottles and bags, and I try not to buy things simply because they are convenient for a few minutes but create waste that stays around for years.
I also try to teach my children not to waste food, water or electricity.
Sometimes these lessons are incredibly simple.
Turn off the tap while brushing.
Switch off the lights when you leave a room.
Take only as much food as you can finish.
Use both sides of a sheet of paper.
Carry a reusable bottle.
None of these things is going to save the planet overnight. But I believe children learn more from what they see us doing than from what we tell them.
If sustainability becomes a normal part of everyday life rather than a big, complicated concept, hopefully they will carry those habits into adulthood.
3. Healthy food because nutrition is not optional
And then comes the one I am probably most particular about: what my kids eat.
As a doctor, I know how important nutrition is during childhood. As a mother, I also know how incredibly difficult it can be to convince a child that vegetables are more exciting than a packet of chips!
I don't believe in making food stressful. I don't want every meal to become a negotiation, and I certainly don't want my children to grow up believing that some foods are "bad" and others are "good."
Instead, I try to focus on balance.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, nuts and seeds, dairy or suitable alternatives, and good sources of protein form an important part of what we eat at home. I try to make sure their meals are colourful, varied and as close to wholesome, minimally processed food as possible.
And yes, they have treats too.
Because childhood should include birthday cake, ice cream, the occasional pizza and those completely unnecessary snacks that somehow taste better when eaten at a friend's house!
For me, healthy eating isn't about perfection. It is about building a foundation.
I want my children to understand what hunger feels like, enjoy different foods, try new flavours and develop a natural appreciation for nutritious meals.
I also try not to force them to finish everything on their plate. Learning to listen to their own hunger and fullness cues is just as important as knowing that vegetables are good for them. Of course, I gobble up all their leftovers.
Raising healthy children is about the everyday things
When I think about these three things, I realise they are all connected.
Cleanliness is about taking care of their health today. Sustainability is about taking care of their tomorrow. And nutritious food is about giving their growing bodies the fuel they need.
None of this means I am a perfect mother. Far from it.
There are days when the house is a mess, vegetables come back untouched in the lunch box, someone forgets to switch off the bathroom light, and the kids come home with soiled uniforms.
And that's okay.
Motherhood isn't about getting everything right every single day. It is about consistently trying to make thoughtful choices.
As a medico, I understand the science behind health. As a mother, I understand the reality of trying to put that knowledge into practice with two little people who have minds, preferences and opinions of their own!
So, I don't aim for perfection.
I aim to give my children a clean and healthy environment, nutritious food without fear or pressure, and an understanding that the planet they inherit is also their responsibility.
Hopefully, these small habits will become a natural part of who they are.
Because ultimately, I don't just want to raise healthy children.
I want to raise children who know how to take care of themselves, each other and the world around them.
This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon
