ABU DHABI // Keeping fit and healthy is a family affair for Olha Sameliuk and her teenage daughter, Noha.
Ms Sameliuk regularly joins 13-year-old Noha for walks as well as more strenuous activities such as dance and karate classes. The pair not only stay active but exercise also gives them time to bond strenthen their bond.
“Noha trains in karate once a week and also takes dance classes. It makes me really happy that I take karate and dance classes with my daughter since it keeps us close,” said the 30-year-old Ukrainian mother-of-two.
“I believe schools should encourage teenagers by engaging them in activities they find interesting. For example, my daughter likes to dance and she is very glad that they dance during physical education lessons at school. She always comes back home and shows me moves she was taught.
“Parents are the first example in any child’s life. My husband and I like to be active. If we are free, we take our one-year-old for a walk on the Corniche. Our daughter likes to join us too,” she said.
Eating healthy is also important to the Sameliuk family.
“If my daughter wants to eat burgers, I cook them for her at home. This way I know there are no preservatives or any other harmful ingredients.”
The family takes part in sports at least four days a week.
“Apart from this, once a week my daughter has PE at school so I’m quite satisfied that she receives enough physical activity,” said Ms Sameliuk, who advised other parents not to be lazy.
“After a long day it’s so hard to force oneself to go out for sports but once you do it, you will enjoy it. When you exercise with your children, you are making sure they are healthy and you are also strengthening the family bond.”
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