Full time parents - how do you exercise?!?!

You find time do jillion micheal s 30ds it's only 20 mins stop making excuses and get it done you got this

I have an OnDemand fitness channel ($8/month through Verizon), and when my daughter is napping in the afternoon or even after she goes to bed at night, I try to do a quick work-out video. There is a great 8 min. cardio dance video that I use a few times a week. Every little bit counts!!

I know I'll get bashed for this cause ERMAHGERD VIDEO GAMES ARE THE DEVIL but my 3 year old has a DS, and it keeps his attention just long enough for me to do what I need to do. Mariokart is easy for little ones to control. It doesn't hold his attention for long though, if I don't push through it and get it done he's put it down and is on to destroying the kitchen.. again.

I also have a 3 year old and he plays on the blackberry while I do my thing...I think a little video game time won't hurt and you have to look after you so you can look after everyone else!

I suggest the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child to get naps going again, and a set bedtime. She sounds strung out from lack of sleep. Also, does she sleep in a crib or do you have a playpen you can set up, or strap her into the high chair for half an hour. She can play, colour, have a snack, or sit and whine for that time, but she will be confined to watching you without jumping on top of you. Better yet, quiet time in the afternoon, whether she sleeps or not. You can put her in the crib with some music on and a few board books. A half an hour quiet time is not unreasonable.

Best advice in this thread. Parents should be controlling their children, not the other way around. I'm astounded at the people in this thread who think it's perfectly acceptable for a child to not be able to occupy himself for a half hour.

Read the book referenced here, you'll be able to work out and also have the benefit of not having your kids turn out to be codependent brats.

Please don't be so judgmental while agreeing with me. Moms need help and encouragement, not condemnation from others. Trust me, we tear ourselves apart enough, second guess every decision and are riddled with guilt and feel the weighty responsibility we have to turn out responsible, caring, contributing members of society. What we don't get enough of is basic compassion and understanding. :flowerforyou:

Well said metaphoria, those comments are harsh and not at all helpfull, they just lead to guilt tripping. Every child and every family is unique.

Crib + Sesame Street = Exercise!

Really though, your not even two year old should still be napping at some point during the day. Even most three year olds still need a nap. The fact that you say she goes to sleep after you and wakes up before you would indicate that a nap is even more important unless you're sleeping like 15 hours a day.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-much-sleep-does-your-child-need_7645.bc

Just because she may be bouncing around doesn't mean she doesn't need to sleep. If I didn't specifically put my daughter in her crib after lunch with soft music, she would never go to sleep on her own (and it takes a good half hour for her to usually wind down enough to sleep). Many parents still have to be actively involved with getting their child to sleep with patting or rocking. You should also be getting her to bed earlier. You cant control when she wakes up, but you can certainly control when she goes to sleep. Like a previous poster stated, sleep begets sleeps.

Run with pram
Carry infant or walk with child in pool
Carry weight
Circuit Training
Gymball

Hi

I dont have kids yet but am quite creative in solving problems ;-) Here are some ideas

Instead of a shower you could clean yourself down with babywipes and put dry fresh clothes and underwear on ;-) till you cab bathe later.

maybe they could exercise with you? You could make it fun to encourage them. Can you get a chair they sit in and play their favouite programme?

Be realistic with your time, ie if you cant fit in an hour, do 20min. thats def better than non at all.

good luck xxxx

im a full time mom and i work full time and my husband works 2nd shift so i dont even get a break until after my dd has gone to bed.

i work out on my lunch break or i take dd to a gym with free daycare.

I suggest the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child to get naps going again, and a set bedtime. She sounds strung out from lack of sleep. Also, does she sleep in a crib or do you have a playpen you can set up, or strap her into the high chair for half an hour. She can play, colour, have a snack, or sit and whine for that time, but she will be confined to watching you without jumping on top of you. Better yet, quiet time in the afternoon, whether she sleeps or not. You can put her in the crib with some music on and a few board books. A half an hour quiet time is not unreasonable.

Best advice in this thread. Parents should be controlling their children, not the other way around. I'm astounded at the people in this thread who think it's perfectly acceptable for a child to not be able to occupy himself for a half hour.

Read the book referenced here, you'll be able to work out and also have the benefit of not having your kids turn out to be codependent brats.

Please don't be so judgmental while agreeing with me. Moms need help and encouragement, not condemnation from others. Trust me, we tear ourselves apart enough, second guess every decision and are riddled with guilt and feel the weighty responsibility we have to turn out responsible, caring, contributing members of society. What we don't get enough of is basic compassion and understanding. :flowerforyou:

Parents get plenty of encouragement, to the point where people coddle them and reinforce their notion that the world revolves around them and they are the busiest people in the world because they have a child under 12.

If someone came on here and said they don't have time to exercise because they're on call for their job 24 hours a day they'd get reamed for being lazy and not making the time. If it's a kid that requires attention it's no different. Set your priorities and make time for what's important.

If someone's kids are controlling their lives to the point where they cannot do a 20-30 minute task they're bad parents, plain and simple.

I completely disagree, I dont know the OP but I can tell you for the first 3 years of my older daughters life I thought every second of my life needed to revolve around her and wasn't sure what was acceptable, (a little bit of tv so I could shower) She is a new mom and is still learning. That does not make her a bad parent! 11 years and another kid later I know better but I didn't in the beginning. Calling a new parent a bad parent while they are still trying to figure out this new routine and new role in life is incredibly insensitive and downright rude.

mother of 5 hear last year when they were about 3-4 the youngest i did a few things. i took them everyday for a walk in the summer stroller or wagon. last year we bought a trailer for our bike, this year we take them swimming. hope this helps