Because natural isn't always possible — or easy.
Posted in Emotional development, exercise, Health on Apr 12th, 2012
Running. It’s never been a favorite activity. I have always preferred group fitness classes with music, people, camaraderie, and energy that inspire me to do my best. Running, in my opinion, is monotonous, boring, and hard. And yet this February I embarked on a new running program — something I never thought I would do. [...]
I am not what you would call an outdoor person and yet some of my most treasured memories took place outside. My sister and I spent all of our waking hours running around our street, biking, playing games, or hanging out at the playground around the corner. We used leaves, sticks, and flowers as props. [...]
Posted in exercise, Pissy mussings on Jan 25th, 2012
I snuck out of work this morning, hitting the gym at 9:30 instead of my office chair. My husband is going out tonight. I knew I needed a spin class, but I didn’t want to dump the girls in childcare from 7 until 8 p.m., especially since the little one’s bedtime is 7:15. After dropping [...]
Posted in Education, exercise, parenting, School and education, toddlers on Jan 4th, 2012
Today, three out of four kids ages 3 to 5 are in some form of childcare including daycare and preschool. Increasingly, teachers, parents, and childcare workers are focusing more on reading than on running. However, according to a new study published in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), running trumps [...]
Posted in exercise, Gender, parenting, Play on Sep 18th, 2011
Little Girl has been asking to play soccer for about a year now, as unbelievable as that sounds. We’d drive past the field and she’s squeal and ask me to stop the car. Now that she’s three, I decided to sign her up for a local program. We recently had our first session. She was [...]
Posted in Emotional development, exercise, parenting on Jun 29th, 2011
Big Girl is on a local swim team. She loves it. Last year, when she was six, she was not what I would call great. Or even good. She never won a single meet. Didn’t even come close, really. But she stuck with it, and we were proud. Most important: She enjoyed herself. This year, [...]
Posted in Eating Healthy, exercise, Food on Feb 24th, 2011
When I met my husband I weighed 123 pounds. At 5’8″ tall with a medium frame, I was almost too thin. As I gained knowledge and mental clarity, my weight settled into a healthy 129 to 134 range. Although I still complained about my weight, I was mostly happy with it. So much so that [...]
The past few Sundays — as her sister naps — Big Girl and I have been going for bike rides. We travel a half mile east, another half mile north, and then head east, north, and east again until we get to a local park. Inside, we slip onto the bike-only track. I won’t lie: [...]
Posted in exercise, Health, Meditation on Oct 5th, 2010
My mother-in-law surprised me tonight by coming to take Big Girl out to dinner and sticking around afterward so I could go to yoga. I was thrilled. More than thrilled. I nearly danced to my car. It’s been a month since I’ve gone to a regular class at Little Yoga House, my favorite yoga studio. [...]
Posted in Emotional development, exercise, parenting on Jul 8th, 2010
Tonight I sat and watched my child come in last place three times. I couldn’t have been prouder. Big Girl has always had an issue with water. Even as a baby she would cry when bathtub water splashed on her face. She would scream like we were beating her when we tried to bring her [...]