By now we’ve all seen the studies linking exercise with improved cognitive, academic and emotional functioning for adults and children. There may be nothing more important you could for your children than to ensure they are physically active every day. A British study of 554 four year olds and their mothers found that the more active the mother was the more active the child would be. For every minute the mother was active the child spent 10% additional time engaging in the same level of activity. Over weeks, months and years this number is especially significant.
http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/study-active-moms-influence-children-to-be-active?page=single
I hope the same hold true for active Dads! This past Monday I ran the Boston Marathon and brought my children along to share in the experience with me. I hope that in addition to making some great memories my children learn about the benefits of fitness and internalize the intangibles it takes to accomplish challenging goals.