Saturday, January 21, 2012

What Parenting And Bicycling Have In Common

As I lie on my bed, collapsed in a half zombified state, exhausted from a one night and half day sleep over with a 4 year old and a 2 year old, I couldn't help but think what's wrong with me?  I've raised two babies into their teen years; I've had a 4 year old and a 2 year old of my own day in and day out and don't ever remember feeling this wiped out.

It was less than 24 hours.  They slept all night long.  They didn't fight and they didn't expect me to get down on the floor and build elaborate block castles.  I'm barely 37, still a spring chicken.  It should be a peace of a cake!  And yet, I found myself purposely cleaning up my room after the boys went home, just so I could lie down and take a little nap.

I decided parenting and bicycling are a lot alike.  I haven't forgotten how to bicycle, and I haven't forgotten how to take care of little kids, but it's been years since I've done either and the first back in the saddle ride is going to leave me sore and tired!

7 comments:

  1. I don't know if I could handle a 2 and 4 year old anymore - at least not until I have grandchildren :). I'm glad I married a younger man !! When I get tired I'll sneak away and take a nap and let him take care of the kids!

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    1. I think when I was younger, with young kids, I had sort of a callous when it came to exhaustion. I was tired, but that was the state of things and didn't make me notice it anymore! But now, I'm not used to it and my husband had to work and my teenagers were hanging out upstairs (off limits to little cousins) and it was all me and them....exhausting!

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  2. How do they have so much energy!!!???

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    1. It's crazy how they can go-go-go until 10:30 at night....I'm sure it had nothing to do with all the cookies I let them eat after dinner!

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  3. Love the comparison. I think about this often when my 2 1/2 year old niece is over. I usually have her a couple hours a week so I'm not horribly out of practice, but I am definitely older and I spend a few minutes each week thinking, how the heck did I ever do this day in and day out with MULTIPLE children?

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    1. Exactly! I've been working so much lately I've had to give up my weekly nephew fix and that lead to me not being in practice. I don't usually nap during the day, but I so did after the boys left!

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