Healthy families - Aboriginal Parent Easy Guide

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Healthy families - Aboriginal Parent Easy Guide (PDF 1.2 MB)

When children live in a healthy family they get a great start in life. Healthy families care for everyone's physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

Healthy living means we can live longer, be happier and spend less time at the doctors! Families can do things that keep people as healthy as possible. Children learn healthy habits to last a lifetime.

Living healthy is good for everyone, especially children.

Signs of healthy families

• Everyone feel happier - especially if they exercise.
• People cope better with life's ups and downs.
• Parents and children talk and listen to each other.
• Parents and children play, laugh and have fun together.
• Everyone eats healthy and is active.
• Everyone gets enough sleep.
• Parents see the doctor for regular check-ups for themselves and their children.
• There is less chance of getting diseases like diabetes, heart and kidney disease or cancer.

Healthy families mean healthy communities. We can all help each other to live healthier lives.

It is never too late to make healthier choices in life.

What being healthy means

Physical

• Eating healthy food.
• Being a healthy weight.
• Being active.
• Getting plenty of sleep.
• Having health check-ups including dental.
• Being immunised - especially babies and children.
• Limiting or quitting alcohol or cigarettes.
• Being drug free.
• Getting the checks men and women need to find disease early.

Emotional

• Feeling good about yourself.
• Coping with life.
• Having good relationships.

Cultural

• Feeling connected to culture and community.
• Having a strong identity as an Aboriginal person.

Healthy parents are better able to care for children and family.

Family eating for better health

• Plan ahead and cook from scratch as much as you can.
• In-season fruit and vegetables are cheaper - frozen and tinned are healthy too.
• Use lean meat - remove any fat.
• Fish is a good choice - fresh or tinned.
• Avoid foods high in fat, salt and sugar such as cakes, biscuits, chips, lollies, takeaway.
• Avoid soft drinks and limit juices - water is best for everyone.

Being active together

• Play outside or go for a walk.
• Always watch babies and children - they can easily get into danger.
• Limit the amount of time children watch TV or use other screens.

Health checks

• Seeing your doctor is a good way to keep healthy.
• Keep immunisations up to date.
• Visit the dentist.
• Get children's ears checked. Children can have ear problems that affect hearing, speech and learning.
• Don't forget important things like breast screens and Pap smears for women, prostate checks for men.
• Healthy babies start with a healthy pregnancy. See your doctor regularly.

Acting early can mean health problems don't happen, or get any worse.

Your feelings

• If you feel low, stressed or worried, talk to someone you trust — a family member, friend or a worker.
• If you are thinking of harming yourself get help straight away. Phone 13 14 65, 24 hours for the mental health assessment and crisis service.

Contact

See parent information and support.

Related parent easy guides

• Strong families - Aboriginal
• Raising strong children - Aboriginal
• Role models - Aboriginal