This summer I signed my kids up for track at our local rec. department. My 6yo daughter loves to run, my boys are both playing football this fall (and are woefully slow) and my 4yo daughter would not be left out.
The first night I went and sat in the bleachers for two hours while they practiced. Then we went home, had dinner, bathed and tucked everyone in and I went to the gym at 10pm.
I showed up to the next practice in spandex and ran while they did. Every time I passed their groups on the track I called encouragement.
Soon they began calling it back.
"You're doing great mama." called my 4yo.
"You too!" I called back with watery eyes.
My 6 year old daughter decided that she was sick of playing "duck, duck, goose" with the 4-6 year olds so she asked the coach if she could move to the 7&8 year old group. She got 3rd place in the 400m. She ran with a relay group of girls in the 9&10, 11&12 and 13&14 category. Her team won. They told her what a great job she did. She BEAMED.
My oldest son, who cried on the football field last fall because he always came in last came in FIRST place in the 200m.
My second son came in last in every race he ran this season - except the one where he only ran against his brother. "Mom," he kept saying to me, showing me the red ribbon, "SECOND place."
He's one of the smartest kids I know and I can't believe he didn't get that second place was still last place but it was SO adorable to watch him brag.
My baby went from wandering around the field to racing down the track. She had a great time and she was so proud of herself.
And me, I ran at every single practice except the first one. Because even on the days when I didn't want to. And even on the days when it was HOT. I knew I couldn't drop them off and say, "I don't feel like it."
So I ran.
And because they saw me there, running around the outside of the track... they ran.
Because they think that THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE DO.
Last weekend I raced my oldest son down the beach - full throttle - and I had my saggy ass bathing suit on so it was TOTALLY not pretty but I'm proud to say I BEAT HIM. (barely)
He's TOTALLY ready for football.
And tonight? Tonight my 6 year old daughter went on a 2.5 mile run with me. And when we got back she said, "I KNEW I could do it."
And I told her, "So did I." with watery eyes.
Parenting is at its best when we're able to learn as much as we teach.
In other news...
Seeing examples of your own good and bad habits and attitudes in your grown children can be painful as well as rewarding.
You're a terrific mom (and a hot wife if I can believe everything I read).
You rock!
Posted by: Eldergeek | August 10, 2011 at 03:13 PM
So sweet that you have such a healthy thing to do with ALL of your kids! My dad was always trying to get us to go running with him... and only succeeded with 1 out of 4 (NOT ME).
Posted by: Mrs. MidAtlantic | August 10, 2011 at 03:30 PM
This is so fantastic. I think you've just inspired me to take my almost-5-year-old on a run this weekend.
Posted by: Roxanne | August 10, 2011 at 03:44 PM
Good job Kit; I did some of it too but I had to draw the line with hockey - never was able to master skating and just couldn't take the beating :D
Posted by: Valentina@baby quilts | August 10, 2011 at 04:48 PM
What an incredible lesson for your kids—and for us readers. I do believe in being an example for your kids, and like many moms, I try my best—most of the time. The fact that you recognized that you need to make a commitment to running in order to teach your kids to stay committed is really a lesson for all of us. It would have been so easy to drop them off, then say you have to run to the store, or you forgot your sneakers, or whatever other excuse I might have come up with. I'll keep this in mind the next time I don't wan to go to kickboxing.
BTW, the description of running on the beach made burst out laughing—sorry—and thank you. Hadn't laughed today.
Posted by: Book4MyDaughter | August 10, 2011 at 05:58 PM
Wow - this is JUST like me, but add more sag to the bag (which is a drag)- well, and at least you have the courage to go in a bathing suit! my boobies (aka the RACK) would politely decline. they're respectful and don't want to permanently blind others... yeah... O_O
Posted by: Ellie | August 10, 2011 at 06:21 PM
WOW! This post is just awesome! totally uplifting and everything wonderful!
Posted by: Tara | August 10, 2011 at 06:37 PM
This is great! (on a sidenote, hubby & I have just started running, after literally not running in 5+ years, and it is HARD. I hope I can do 2.5 miles one day!)
Posted by: Mrs. Bridges | August 10, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Awesome :)
Posted by: Kez | August 11, 2011 at 05:27 AM
There is a level of awesomeness in this post that just defies words. Seriously, Kit - what you're doing is so much more than just being "good for you" or "good for your kids."
Football is going to start up and people are going to ask how your kid is so much faster. He's going to say that he took up running, and that he loves it. Then other people are. And you might even have kids who convince their parents to run.
It's funny how infectious this all can get. And I'm guessing your body, husband, and/or onlookers don't mind the side-effects of your running, either ;-)
Posted by: John | August 11, 2011 at 07:37 AM
I love that you find motivation in the inspiring. Where as I? Exercise in front of my family for motivation. Because if I stop before the P90X guy does? I am mocked. And not just for the saggy butt I just dropped to the floor.
Posted by: Domesticated Gal | August 11, 2011 at 09:16 AM