A family run

My partner and I are both regular runners. We don’t train for marathons or follow iPhone app running programmes but we run to keep fit and we find it helps us deal with life’s little challenges better too.

In addition to our running habits, we also have three children aged seven, five and three. We have to fit our running in around them with me usually running before my partner leaves for work and him running home from the station most days. Today, we had a very successful park trip and my five year old and I managed a run too! I’m sharing it here in case it inspires any of you to find ways to take exercise that combine well with family life too.

Today, in my head, I’d planned to have a run after lunch. Hoping to create a new activity (and also take the pressure off my partner!) I asked my two eldest children if they’d like to come running with me. My five year old accepted and, while we were digging out trainers, my partner suggested that he and the others come too: they could play in the park and me and my 5yo, R, could run round it. Off we set, walking together while R and I warmed up. R and I peeled off after we’d crossed the road and started our run. She did really well! R ran fast for a couple of minutes, got worn out and then we walked briskly for another minute or so before running again. After one running/walking circuit, during which we’d jumped over the park speed humps, had a few races and some great mum-and-daughter time, she was a bit tired so we went looking for the others. We found them in a tree by the lake. R wanted to climb the tree too so I left her there with her dad and siblings and did another continuous, grown-up circuit on my own before coming back to see how they were all getting on. This child-led interval training continued with me running alone, visiting the tree-climbing delegation for a hug and a giggle and collecting and dropping off R. Finally we headed for home, calling in at the playground en route.

So, all in all, a very successful afternoon. I got my run but not at the expense of a family trip out and I had loads of fun with my middle daughter too!  My partner and I plan to do this again but with him in his trainers too so he can have his run as well. I hope to persuade my seven year old to do a lap next time too!

Three children's books for parents

As well as all the mainstream, well-known parenting books, I feel there are some fantastic messages about family life  to be found in children's picture books. Here are three that spring to mind. You might have your own list too!

Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul.

Plot: Winnie the Witch lives in a black house with her beloved black cat Wilbur. Unfortunately, she can never see him because he is always camouflaged against the black decor, with the result that she continually sits on him or falls over him. She tries to make things better by changing Wilbur's colour but  that just upsets him and he disappears up a tree to hide. So Winnie has  a think and turns him back to black and makes the house a difference colour instead.  And now, Winnie can see Wilbur no matter where he sits. 

Message: we shouldn't try and make our lives easier by changing our children. There are bound to be other things we can have a go at changing first. 

Zou and the Box of Kisses by Michel Gay

Plot: Zou the little zebra is going to a summer camp without his parents for the first time. After he tells them he is worried about it, they make him a box filled with paper kisses to take with him, enough for every night of the trip. The next night, the little zebras travel together on a night train to the camp. Zou feels a bit worried but he gets a kiss out of the box and feels better. One of the other zebras is inconsolable but Zou offers him a kiss from his box and cheers him up. Soon all the little zebras on the train have a paper kiss and the box is empty...but everyone is asleep and happy. The next day, they arrive by the sea feeling great and all ready for summer camp. 

Message: If we make our children feel confident and secure in our love, they can pass that emotional confidence on to others and make a real difference in their lives. 

  

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Plot: Max's games get out of hand and he charges around the house making a mess. His mum shouts at him and sends him to bed without any supper. He gets into bed and sails away to where the wild things are. He rules over them and they all have a wonderful wild rumpus...only then he wants to go home. Home he goes and there, on the table in his room, is his supper waiting for him. And it is still hot. 

Message: This books gives me so much strength on a bad day! Us mums all try our best but sometimes we lose our rags. Even so, the breach can be healed, we still want our children there and they still want us there.  Afterwards, it is absolutely right to show our children love and affection again. It isn't weak at all.  

Of course, these books are primarily for us to read to our children for their enjoyment and these are just my own additional interpretations.  That said,  I sincerely feel they have some great messages for parents.  There many tools - memories, books, news stories, other things I haven't thought of! - out there to guide and support us in our parenting journeys and we can find them if we keep our eyes, ears and minds open. That's a fantastic thing to teach our children too.