In my 9 and a half years of being a parent, one thing is certain… kids are like sponges – they soak up absolutely everything they see and hear. And given that it takes some time to “socialise” a lot of the “rights and wrongs,” there may be some undesirable speech and behaviour that slips through from time to time (and that is, by the way, a direct reflection on their main role models – i.e. that’s you, the parent). There’s nothing perfect about my parenting skills. It’s continual learning and refinement. A constant fine balance of patience, tolerance, acceptance, empathy and understanding.
I like to “lead by example.” I show off my ability to the kids in the hope that they dismiss the word “can’t” from their vocabulary. From a young age, they knew that if I wasn’t in the bed in the morning, I was out for a ride/run/swim. The same goes for Vicky. Now it’s getting to the point that they’re asking to join me for my early morning “active meditation.” (that’s what I refer my daily exercise to – it’s my time to enjoy, not think too much, reflect, be grateful, feel peace and happiness). To top that off, running a home occupation means that from birth our kids have been exposed to our clients entering our “home” to do Pilates or Group Training or to see me or Vicky for consultations. The commitment to positive health and wellbeing has been deeply imbedded in their social norms and I love that about our family unit.
Luckily we live across the road from a park. It serves as our daily escape to move freely, explore, let Jess (the dog) off the leash and play active games. I’ve never seen a kid with a frown on their face whilst swinging from the monkey bars or running across a field. The pure joy they get out of movement is something that as adults has sadly been lost. It’s been “socialised” out of us. We need to use our kids as role models. Copy and mimic their actions and behaviour. Get involved with their games at the park. As a good friend of mine said, “Rock Your Inner Child.”
Todays session was a tough one – adding extra weight to “body weight” exercises (Pull-ups, push-ups and squats). With my kids on hand, and each at a good healthy weight of around 25-27kg, they acted as perfect weights to add to my workout.
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