|
I was 23 when I got married and picked
thee most wonderful man. (Even men want to be married to him!) We were
hot and heavy into running and tri's. Every weekend was racing and partying.
Ahhh, what a life.
Then the kids came.
I was 29 when Allison was born. I remember trying
to run a 15K with 2 friends and we were going to take turns pushing Allison in
her running stroller. She screamed and cried and fussed for 12 freakin miles. I
didn't really run again until after Evan was born. (That is when my lobotomy
wore off!) Then I realized it did us all a lot of good if I did my thing and let
the kids and dad bond.
I didn't care if he bought them toys, fed them
McDonalds or let them jump in the pool after they had been rolling in the dirt.
I have been a stay at home mom and any free time was graciously
accepted. Wait, I don't think I asked for free time, I just remember John coming
home and me saying something like, "I am done, see you later!" and not always in
the sweetest voice. Alright, so I wasn't so gracious.
Now they are 13 and 11 and come to the rides with
me when they can. Evan helps crew and Allison rides with me. Sometimes, if I beg
the right way, John will come, too. They are also getting more into fitness. It
makes you feel good as a parent when your kids want to be like you. And they are
the ones who see your really ugly side.
So Laurie, it does get better. And don't think of
it as babysitting when you can't ride. Think of it as quality time to influence
your son so that maybe he will enjoy some of the same things you do. I promise
before long, you will have plenty of time to train and ride and compete.
Remember also, that we change as we age. Your
husband and son just may end up being one of the best crews ever. Or maybe they
may end up riding with you. You never know. John doesn't ride, but he likes to
see Allison and I compete and Evan helping. He is very supportive even when he
doesn't actively participate. How did we get from running on foot to running on
horseback?
As much as we enjoyed our lives before kids, I
know when the time comes for us to have that freedom again, it will be
bittersweet. They really are great kids, fun to be with and we can't
imagine life without them. (We'll try though) Tee-hee-hee.
I looked on child rearing not only as
a work of love and duty but as a profession that was fully as interesting and
challenging as any honorable profession in the world and one that demanded the
best that I could bring to it.
Rose Kennedy
AMEN!
Lisa Salas, The Odd FArm
| 