This may fall into the classic Blogger Overshare category, but I’m going to talk about my sleep schedule. *Because* I think it has bearing on my parenting, and others may have had similar experiences.
In general, I am about as flexible as a rebar when it comes to sleep. I don’t need much, but it happens at the same time every night. In the morning, I’m the second up and the second in the shower. Meanwhile my wife wakes the kids and gets them rolling, and here is where the trouble crops up. By the time I’m toweling myself off (that mental image is a freebie — you’re welcome) one of the three kids is already off the rails. By the time I’m dressed and ready, my wife is exasperated and somebody is crying about her socks (no names *cough* *Ri-ri* *cough*).
The morning stink-eye that was being dealt out to the late arriving dad making a beeline to the coffeepot should have been enough. But I needed more stimulus to be able to change. I found it at pre-school. I love driving Coop to his new pre-school. It gives me daily one-on-one with my youngest which is a precious thing in our busy house. But that commute also knocked out my (ever-so-brief) morning gym time.
So one morning my annoyed wife and my expanding gut spoke to me in unison: “Do something!”
Simple solution: move everything back an hour. So now I get up at 5AM and fire up the Wii Fit. I can hear you snickering. Stop laughing. Seriously. Have you tried one? The cardio is a bit lame, but the yoga and strength exercises are good. You’re laughing again. Understand that my fitness goals are not high. In terms of exercise, it is my aim to not do nothing. And the Wii Fit gets me cleanly over that bar. I know you are just clambering for updates, so I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
When I’m done with my extremely vigorous video game workout, I shower. First! By the time the kids are roused, both parents are on deck and ready to assist them. In my opinion, the change has been pretty clear. With two people to assist, everything just goes a bit smoother. I’m not implying that this is a mom v dad thing. It’s not. It’s about boots on the ground.
And I have to say, that I’m a little proud of myself. There was a problem, I made a change, and it’s helping. It’s a small thing, but in the context of a family these small changes can really make a difference. Taking some time to take stock and to be willing to try new things is a core parenting competency IMHO.
How ‘bout you. Ever had to make an adjustment in your ingrained routines? Did it have the desired effect?
On the theme of “stink-eyes” and working out, I learned my first big lesson of pregnancy: Don’t boast about your weight loss to your pregnant wife. It’s a big “no-no” even if she has been hounding you about getting in shape.
As for the Wii Fit, my wife wants one, but we aren’t sure if it is good for pregnant women. Anyone have any tips on this?
I’m just starting to make some changes like that. I’m definitely not a morning person (often the definition of morning is even relaxed a few hours) but having a wife who likes to get to the office between 6 and 7 after waking up the little one means that I’m on duty from then until 4 or 5pm. So, I need to adjust how I deal with mornings. In the old days if I needed to be up this early, I just wouldn’t go to bed. That won’t work. Then I also have not traditionally worked with a set schedule. I’m not quite as bad as those inventors that deliberately change their daily routine each day to keep their brains from developing a fixed pattern, but I’m close. But the baby needs routine, so I’m having to learn how to make routine into habit. That’s not easy. And my wife wants us both to be able to fit gym time back into our routines. I’m going to need to find a new gym that has reliably available morning childcare. Otherwise, it’s just not happening. But once it does, I can get back to reading. I use a Sony Reader on an elliptical machine and listen to MP3s stored on it. I might even be able to get the new model since I’ve actually worn mine a bit. (Dropping to the floor off the elliptical can leave scars on the metal case.) But hopefully this dog can learn some tricks.
You should check with your doc, but Wii Fit would be ideal for the kind of moderate exercise that would be appropriate for pregnant woman (and overweight middle aged dudes).
I think it’s a bit of a stretch (see what I did there?) applying the credit to this change to the Wii. You shoulda been “doin’ something” all along, I’m sure your wife will agree… HOWEVER, that being said, whatever floats your boat! Good for you. You can now claim technology (gaming system) has brought a sense of happiness to your home. (Good evidence for future purchases.)
I haven’t changed my routines much… unless you count all the things you have to do when you bring a small human into your world… then, yea, everything has changed.
I’ll let everyone hate me, I don’t mind… I don’t have to excercise (I do, by way of skateboarding, but I’m fidgety and wound pretty tight anyway), and I can eat whatever I want. And 156 pounds is the most I’ve EVER weighed in my life, and that was about a month ago (before I got sick and lost that 10 pounds I was so proud of packing on).
I still get to skate regularly, and my sessions are about the same times and such. But I try to make sure bottles are prepped before I leave. And I usually try to change diapers the rest of the day when I get home. Gotta keep Momma happy. (That’s right ladies, I’m a catch! You’re too late! HA!)
Micah,
Depending on how far along your wife is & assuming no health issues, she can do pretty much anything outside of riding a bike (not good when pregnant) or anything that could be an obvious balance challenge, i.e. rollerblading/skating (ode to you Nik). I went to the gym during my pregnancy & still lifted moderate weights & did moderate cardio when I wasn’t batteling the nausea! I had to eventually stop when I got too big to fit in any of the machines! LOL! (Can I say how envious I am of men in this area?) Good luck with the new addidtion!
Daddy Clay:
Strength training on the Wi? I’m sure those virtual weights are heavier than a sack of iron potatoes.
Me, I just use old milk jugs filled up with sand and tied to a broom stick. Boy you modern folks sure are modern.