Contemporary parenting is laden with challenges that demand a thoughtful approach. Prioritizing essential habits, such as balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and good hygiene, lays the groundwork for a healthy future. Fostering emotional health through open conversations and engaging play not only nurtures resilience but also strengthens bonds. Parenting today comes with a different set of challenges than it did a few years ago. Children have earlier access to screens, have busier schedules, and get exposed to frequent infections once they begin preschool and school. Many parents spend their time responding to what comes next, rather than thinking about what shapes a child’s health over time.Childhood remains the most important phase for building the foundation of physical health, emotional balance and long-term well-being. The habits children pick up often stay with them for life. Parents and caregivers influence this journey through everyday decisions that may seem small but have a lasting impact.
Here are four such decisions parents should focus on in 2026.
1. Start by getting everyday habits right
The first decision is often the simplest one. How well a child eats, sleeps, moves and follows basic hygiene sets the tone for their overall health. Nutritious meals help children grow well, maintain energy and build immunity. Daily physical activity strengthens bones and muscles while also improving sleep quality. Regular sleep supports brain development, behaviour and emotional balance. Hygiene habits such as handwashing become increasingly important once children begin interacting with others. When these basics are in place, children are physically better prepared to cope with learning, emotions and change.
Tips to Manage Kids’ Sweet Cravings for Better Health
2. Pay attention to how your child feels, not just how they grow
As children grow, their emotional world becomes more complex. They experience frustration, excitement, fear and stress, often without knowing how to express it clearly. Parents shape emotional well-being through everyday interactions. Talking to children about their day, listening patiently and helping them name their feelings teaches emotional regulation. Play and shared activities help children learn social skills such as sharing, cooperation and problem-solving. Children who feel emotionally secure at home cope better with stress, adapt more easily to new situations and build healthier relationships as they grow.
3. Be intentional about screens and digital exposure
Screens enter children’s lives early and quickly become part of a daily routine. Without guidance, screen use can interfere with sleep, attention, physical activity and emotional balance. This is where parental choices matter. Keeping screens out of bedrooms, limiting use before bedtime and staying aware of what children watch helps protect routines. Content matters as much as screen time, as it influences language, behaviour and emotional responses. Encouraging alternatives such as outdoor play, reading, creative activities and family time helps children stay connected to the real world as their independence grows.
4. Keep vaccination on track as your child grows older
Many parents carefully follow vaccination schedules during the first year of life but tend to become less attentive after that. However, a child’s need for protection does not end after infancy. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect children as they grow. Vaccinations can help prevent infectious diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria, rubella, chickenpox, whooping cough and certain forms of meningitis and pneumonia. These diseases may seem rare today largely because vaccination programmes have worked well, but they can return when protection drops. Speaking with your paediatrician can help you understand which vaccinations are needed at different stages and ensure children remain protected as their exposure increases.Childhood passes quickly, but the impact of parental choices made during this time lasts much longer. When parents stay mindful of what truly shapes health during these years, they give their children the space to grow stronger, steadier and more prepared for what lies ahead.(Dr A Somasundaram, MD, PGDDN, FIAP Senior Consultant Pediatrician Healthcare Malar, Adyar, Chennai)
