Commentary by Kathleen Connelly
As the summer is winding down my family is getting organized for the fall and for us that means signing the kids up for fall activities. Our rule of thumb usually is each kid can participate in one physical activity/team sport at a time. We are breaking this rule slightly this fall but for the most part follow it to a tee. This helps us keep our sanity and allows us to spend time at home with family and friends.
For the fall, my son and 6-year-old daughter are playing soccer through S.P.O.R.T.S and my 3-year-old daughter is participating in a dance class at Wishes Dance Studio in Fishers. Here’s where I broke my own rule: My son is also playing fall baseball through S.P.O.R.T.S. As I organized all of this and put everything on the calendar, I had a thought: What about my husband and me?
As parents, we want to give the world to our kids. We want to let them try new things and enjoy different activities. Why don’t we want the same things for ourselves? I see clients all the time who put everything and everyone else before themselves. Even though we are parents, we need to recognize the importance of staying active, participating in activities we enjoy and yes, even in our 30s, 40s, 50s and older, trying new things. I believe it is a way to teach our kids that their health, their interests and staying active is important at any age or in any circumstance. Your kids will see you being active, see you trying new things or making what you enjoy a priority and they will learn from it. Aren’t these important lessons we want to teach our kids?
Next time you think about signing you kids up for something, decide what “your activity” will be. Find out if the organization that your kids play through has adult sports leagues. Maybe the studio your child dances at has adult classes or you and your son/daughter can try a new activity together. My husband has not decided on his “fall activity” but I am going to follow my own advice and sign up for a yoga class through the Fishers YMCA. My challenge to you is to find an activity that can fit into your family schedule and sign up today!
