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 SELF CARE FOR PARENTS

Health Savers
Running Machine

The first thing and probably the thing that made the greatest difference to my health was making a commitment to exercising first thing, every weekday morning. I bought a walking machine so regardless of the weather I could still exercise.

 

I found a walking buddy and we did a brisk walk of 4-5 kilometres every morning, before we went to work.

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That meant I came first every single day. I met my need for friendship and exercise all in one go.

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Now maybe you're thinking you have to leave for work too early to do that. But I managed to have two kids into the car and out of the door by 7:30 five mornings a week. And my youngest wasn't always agreeable to getting up.

By the time all commitments are covered there can be little time left for exercising and eating well. But you can change this by:

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  • Exercising first thing

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  • Exercising with a friend to keep you honest

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  • Catering for children needs for the following day, the evening before

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  • Going to bed earlier and getting up earlier

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  • Expecting cooperation from family members and then supporting them so they can fulfill their exercise needs

Stretching Exercises
Vegetable Picking

  • To begin with I got up really early. I had the lunches and a healthy evening meal prepared before I left for my morning walk.

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  • My children had their baths the night before so all they had to do was get dressed and have breakfast.

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  • I ensured I had the children's clothes organized for them to get into and I had their breakfast ready to add the finishing touches to when I got home.

 

But what I needed for it all to work was for everyone in my household to be co-operative.

So how do you get everyone in your household to be cooperative?

 

One day I happened to listen to my four year son talking to my husband. When my husband asked him if he could help him do something he replied 'Yes sure.'

 

And it was at that moment I realized he was acting the way he had seen me behave. If someone asked me for help if I could do it at all I always said ' Yes. Sure.'

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We discussed the importance of everyone cooperating in our household. We discussed the benefits and disadvantages of cooperating and not cooperating. And I let our children experience real life consequences of not cooperating.

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For example, if they chose not to cooperate in the morning I had less time available to play in the afternoon. Using the T.V. and computer was a privilege in our household, not a right. I certainly didn't get to watch it if my jobs weren't done.

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Kayakers
Home Theater Family

In addition to daily walking, as my children grew older sometimes I kayaked one afternoon a week, and early on Sunday mornings as well, during the warmer months of the year. And I cycled during the cooler months.

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I also attempted going to the gym but it didn't fit my lifestyle at the time. However, as I grew older I joined a gentle exercise group that caters to my needs and I love it.

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Adapt over time as your lifestyle changes.

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For more Best Parenting Advice on setting up routines or helping create cooperative children go to the following links:

Flower

Best Parenting Advice.com is a high quality parenting website designed with child and family success in mind. It highlights what successful parents do differently to those who struggle. Best Parenting advice.com provides free online resources for busy parents who want the best practical advice on: how to give kids a best start in life, better tips for parenting toddlers, effective child rearing strategies, behaviour management tips, successful goal setting and organizational strategies for successful families, easy family dinner recipes, self-care tips for time-poor parents and free kids learning games. The aim of Best Parenting Advice.com is to provide quality practical parenting tips and advice to best help children and families succeed, using the convenience of a website.

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This website provides examples of what worked for me over decades and you are welcome to use these ideas as you see fit but you do so at your own risk. Best Parenting Advice.com does not provide any guarantee that this information will work in every circumstance with every family or with every child. It is your responsibility as a user of this website to ensure that you adhere to any recommended safety suggestions either implicit or explicit on this site and supervise your children while playing any games suggested. Similarly users of this website are advised to follow any recommendations for seeking professional advice as all information on this site is generic. Best Parenting Advice.com is an independent website and is not affiliated with any other groups, clubs, religious organizations or educational systems.

 

Best parenting takes time. The best parenting advice ever is simple: Do your best, don't give up and love your children, no matter what.

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