I can't believe it's been so long since my last Good Parent post! Last week was Spring Break for our family and it was the perfect time for me to reflect on how much I enjoy spending time with the kids and how fleeting that time is as they become more and more immersed in school and individual activities. If I think about it too long I begin to tear up.
There are two reasons I have not blogged lately and the reasons are related. As of the new year I have begun to focus on my own health, specifically losing the baby weight gained from the pregnancies & lifestyle that followed as a stay at home Mom. Having a kitchen at my disposal 24-7 has it's perks and pitfalls! And I have been blogging about my weight loss journey- currently 12 weeks!
Embarking on my weight loss journey was largely made possible by the timing of where I'm at in my life and the age of the kids. From the day my kids were born I have had a strong belief that there wasn't anything that would take me away from them (on a daily basis) and that every hour, moment, was precious & fleeting. There was just no way I personally could justify spending time at a gym or exercising when I could be spending it with my kids. And by the time they were asleep for the night, I was too (because after all, I'm the one is up with them when they are up!). So I promised myself that once the kids were in school, that I would take that time- not to clean house or run a million errands- but to take that time to focus on my health. Thankfully I also had the support of my spouse!
For 11 weeks we've been in a routine of school & working out...until Spring Break hit. I had planned to focus on the kids and put my calorie counting ways behind me for the week. I didn't realize how much I needed both the break from my weight loss regime, but I also very much needed the quality time with the kids. Lots of reading, cuddling, swimming, going places, cooking together, and so on. Thinking back on it is making me excited for summer! I am so glad we didn't "go anywhere" or have a set schedule. We "slept" in, had pajama day, had a dance party, stayed up late with friends. Spring Break was pretty darn great! I am pretty sure the kids had fun and I'm pretty sure they do not realize how much their Mom needed this time with them. I didn't need a beach with a cocktail to recharge...I needed my kids. I definitely have my parenting mo-jo back and it is helping me keep motivated as I near the end of my weight loss goals.
As a parent, make every moment with your kids count...and as soon as you can, make time for yourself, your own health (mental, physical or other). They don't need to be mutually exclusive and you may just find that in fact the quality of each depends on the other.
