Though fast food is often blamed for obesity and parents are urged to keep their children out of the drive through and to make home cooking a priority, there's still something to be said for a fast food meal. In fact, teaching children to eat in moderation at a fast food restaurant, and to view fast food as a special treat instead of a daily indulgence, has its benefits. Making a family outing to a local fast food establishment once in a while can be a learning experience for children, as well as a fun treat.

Select fast food restaurants carefully.
Select the fast food establishment you want to share with your children carefully. Not only should you consider what you have nearby, but think about their menu options and the layout of the restaurant, too. A fast food restaurant with a playplace is a great idea, and allows kids to burn off some energy. Some restaurants offer milk, apple and carrot sticks, grilled chicken instead of fried, or a variety of other healthier choices for both parents and children. Select a fast food restaurant that meets these requirements for a healthier and more enjoyable experience. Pick a restaurant within walking distance, throw on your running shoes, and make the whole evening healthier.

Find a reason to visit a fast food establishment.
After a first dentist's visit, after putting on a brave face for shots at the doctor's office, to celebrate the first day of summer vacation, or to break up a long car trip are all great opportunities to make a trip to a fast food restaurant. These don't necessarily set up fast food as a special treat, but they don't make it a common, everyday occurrence, either. Don't make a big deal out of a fast food restaurant, but show your children that there are much better ways to eat through your own activities.

Make positive meal choices.
The occasional Happy Meal is hardly going to make children obese or raise their cholesterol. But it can't hurt to make good choices while you are at a fast food restaurant, too. Select milk for the kids, instead of soda. Let your children see you choose a salad instead of a triple cheeseburger. Indulge in french fries if they're your favorite, but order a small instead of a large. Making positive choices for yourself and your children when you do choose a fast food restaurant shows them that it's okay to eat healthy when you are out.

Making a family outing to a local fast food establishment once in a while can be a learning experience for children, as well as a fun treat. Showing your children how to indulge in fast food the right way is a valuable lesson.

Sometimes spending time with family can be as simple as putting a twist on a popular sport or activity. Remaining active is important to the family's health and also is a great way to have some fun together. The relay race is a classic sport that families and athletes have enjoyed for years. Skateboarding also is a family-friendly sport. Mixing the two can add to the fun.

Materials
Open Safe Paved Area
Skateboard
Sidewalk Chalk
Whistle

Preparation
Before the race begins, be sure the family is wearing appropriate footwear. No one should be running (or skateboarding) in sandals or dress shoes. Appropriate active footwear should be lightweight and supportive. Be sure that the traction on the shoes is appropriate for asphalt, as well as skateboard riding.

Other preparations for the race includes gathering the materials. Prepare the race by drawing a start and finish line on the ground with chalk. The start and finish line should be enough distance apart for a good racing area. The actual length may vary depending on your family's endurance levels.

How to Play Skateboard Relay Race
Place a racer at the start line, as well as the finish line. If you have more than two family members, those members should split up evenly and line up behind the other players. The player at the start line should have the skateboard. Blow the whistle to signal the start of the race. The player at the start line skateboards to the player at the finish line. The skateboard, rather than a baton is the hand-off item.

The player at the finish line then rides the skateboard to the start line and the next player in line is handed the skateboard. The race continues until all family members have had a chance to skateboard. This is a non-competitive version. For a competitive version, teams can be created. Game play would be the same, except there would be two or more start and finish lines, depending on the number of players. Whichever team finishes first is the winner.

Those who are too young to skateboard the traditional way, such as younger children, may sit on the skateboard instead of standing.

Shopping for shoes can be such a joy. So many styles, so many cute colors, and oh, look at those pumps. When you're pregnant, though, it is NOT the time to invest in those sleek shoes with stiletto heels. Do you love those socks with the embroidered puppies and kittens on them? Well, yes, they're adorable ... but just how soft are they?

Here's what to do to provide TLC (Tender Loving Care!) for your precious feet:
Choose shoes for their comfort level not their cuteness. The best time for shoe-shopping: mid to late afternoon. Your feet swell as the day goes on, and by that point in the day, you'll be able to ensure that you buy shoes that are large enough. Look for low or no heeled shoes and make sure that the tread is secure. Consider looking in the athletic section for walking shoes, which typically offer better support than the average woman's shoe. For example, consider New Balance's top-rated walking shoes, such as the 622.

Sock it to your feet ... with the softest ones that you can find! Look for socks that are described as designed for comfort. And be sure that the material wicks moisture to avoid that nasty "my feet are perspiring" feeling.

When you're home, consider switching to cozy slippers that soothe your feet. For example, Brampton by Crabtree & Evelyn is made of the softest faux suede, with full padding, which are highly rated by customers, and the ribbon lacing and bow on these slippers make it fun to wear!

Two words: foot massage. Treat yourself to an occasional foot massage at a day spa. Be sure to tell them that you are pregnant and ask them to use lotion that is for sensitive skin. In addition, next time your husband asks if there's anything he can do for you, smile, hold up a bottle of massage lotion and prop your feet in his lap. Motto: togetherness means caring for each other's tootsies!

The decision to cut out or cut back on television and video games for young children might not be an easy one for your family to make. When screen time plays a big role in your family time, eliminating it can leave both children and their parents wondering what to do to fill the void. Making TV time and video game time family fun time, however, benefits your children and your family in more ways than you may realize.

Family fun time doesn't have to be a chore. Instead, make family fun time the time for your family to engage in something you enjoy. Select a game or a puzzle that everyone can enjoy. Play the family favorite Monopoly with a twist; Zappos Monopoly includes favorite Zappos brands that teenagers will recognize and adults will appreciate. Or if you have a house filled with little ones, consider purchasing a Melissa and Doug alphabet puzzle. Not only will you be spending time interacting with your children, but there's an educational component as well. Family fun time with puzzles and games is a great alternative to screen time.

If a family fun afternoon or evening with games and puzzles isn't your style, consider getting everyone in your house motivated and going outdoors. Enjoy the fresh air, go for a walk, take the little kids to the playground or consider a bike ride or a low-impact hike. Be sure to purchase comfortable and well fitting shoes for your children before you head out; consider New Balance Kids as one option to get you started with the youngest of children.

Whatever you do, you won't regret turning off the box and doing something with your children. Whether you decide to get outside and go for a walk or grab a board game and see who's got what it takes, spending time interacting with your children without television and video games can benefit everyone.