There is no question that being a parent is one of most complicated jobs in the world. Unfortunately, there is no manual that shares the finer nuances of parenting. Nope, we're on our own to do the best we can, and it simply becomes a matter of trial and error as we forge our way through the maze of parental issues.

It's been said, "The bigger the child, the bigger the problem." Being a mother of four grown children, that's pretty much the way I see it. But when they are young and there is a problem, it's hard to see that the little things really are not the end of the world. The beauty of the toddler years or elementary age is they still adore us; still think we know everything, which means it is the perfect time to help them develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime!

Since time immemorial, each generation of parents has believed that their task of parenting was significantly more challenging than the previous generation. Be it sex, drugs or rock 'n' roll, parents have felt that their plate was full and that the biggest challenge was saving their children from themselves.

With each generation come different issues. The difference with today's generation is the challenge of living a healthy lifestyle accompanied by the pressures of physical perfection. If you compare your child's lifestyle to your childhood, something tells me you'll find some vast differences. Two of the biggest include activity and nutrition.

In the '80s people started watching more TV. And as VCRs rose in popularity, the opportunity to sit more and move presented itself less. Of course, cable TV encouraged more sitting as well. As daily activity in our life began to decrease, the food options began to increase. More snacks, more fast foods, more sugar, more sodium, more processed ingredients.

So here it is, 2007, and our country is fat and food obsessed. Everywhere we turn we're reminded of how "fat" we are and what pill might be able to "cure" our fat or neutralize our fear of fat. Television, magazines and radio all provide opportunities to "cure" our fatness.

In an honest effort to rid ourselves of obesity we take steps here and there to make some changes, but we all know they are short-lived and ultimately ineffective. It's tough to break the habit of fast food, snacks and inactivity. The problem is that we are shown every day through the media what a perfect body should be, yet it is overshadowed by unhealthy habits.

I've addressed the issue of distorted body image before. It's important to note, however, that distorted body image isn't just an issue our kids deal with; it affects all ages, races and socioeconomic levels.

Though we all have the potential to be strong, healthy human beings, that notion is often cast aside for something far less attainable: perfection. In the search for perfection, some pretty unhealthy habits can develop. Oftentimes, it's too late before we realize that habits such as snacking mindlessly or skipping meals has become a normal part of life. But why does it seem so much easier to start a habit versus "kicking" a habit?

The reality is that once a habit is developed and integrated into everyday life, little attention is paid to the positive or negative effects it may have on lifestyle, especially if it is a habit that brings about more pleasure than pain. Unhealthy habits tend to stick around like an unwelcome guest, taking plenty but offering little in return.

Many of the habits kids develop are reinforced by their parents. Bedtime rituals such as stories or baths, washing hands regularly, applying sunscreen before going outside are all routines that become habit. These are good habits that we encourage in our kids, but the other side of the coin includes those habits we unconsciously encourage and end up harming our kids more than helping.

So where do we begin? As parents we need to start by letting go of guilt, the feeling that we've failed when it's come to the health of our kids. I can't tell you the number of letters I get from parents who feel like they have failed miserably because their child is overweight.

In addition to that guilt is your own personal "battle of the bulge." Quite frankly, there is enough guilt from parents to keep us feeling inadequate for the next 100 years!

There is so much confusion, it's tough to figure out what is best for your child. Let's start with a clean slate, and begin to explore the habits that will benefit your family.

Rome wasn't built in a day, so don't expect changes to happen overnight. We need to understand and teach our children that health isn't something you buy; it is something you learn through making good choices.

It's up to us as parents to help our children (and ourselves) develop a realistic image of what our bodies can achieve. Teach them the fundamentals of healthy living, realizing this will create a healthier body image for the entire family.