Sticking my tongue out at Ethel

[ButtercupKid]

Everything has come against me this week - hadn’t made it out since last Wednesday. So I went to do the shopping and then I rebelled and didn’t go home until I’d done a run. Were they cross with me ? Yeah. Am I sorry that lunch was late ? What do you think ?! Is it just mums who are undermined by family demands, or do others get this too ? Any tips, anyone (apart from stubborn defiance ?)

[icklegui Graduate]

not just mums of humans - our cats get narky if we are late feeding them. To be fair, they don't understand why we might be late, our excuses are drowned out by the miaows! Come to think of it the boyfriend likes us to eat in a timely fashion too but he's more understanding if I've been for a run

[sunshinefish Graduate]

Good on you for doing your run! I get this a bit, especially as I have to take the youngest with me when I run (around a track).

What works for me is kind of bribery - they do a number of chores a week for their pocket money and this counts as one of them. So instead of unpacking the dishwasher or sorting laundry they get out in the fresh air and mess around on exercise equipment/do whatever outside for 40 mins tops. It works, the middle one also comes now and keeps the youngest company. Also the good weather helps. And at the minute I don't mind unpacking the dishwasher four extra times a week, although seeing that written down...

Guilt tripping them that this is for me and pointing out how much I do for them is my last resort!

I think we all probably have some demands on our time which can stop us doing our runs or anything really, sometimes you give, and sometimes they give. If it's only a late lunch then all's good!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to sunshinefish]

Thanks for that, SunshineFish. It’s always good to know you’re not alone ! Great idea to take your kids with you. Hopefully they’ll have fun and establish healthy living patterns by learning with you.

[sunshinefish Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

I think the ages that they are helps when I take them with me. A year or two ago it wouldn't have been as easy. And structure helps too, as of tonight I am writing down the following days tasks/events on a whiteboard so that everyone can see what's happening tomorrow and when. My run is on there and the time it is going to happen, along with their homework times and when my online shop is going to arrive and a couple of other things (new approach, not sure if this level of micro management will work!) Even if not, the kids realise my run days are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and on school days its go to the toilet, grab yourself some food and off we go as soon as we get in.

Hopefully your family will realise this is important to you and be a bit more flexible. Stick with it, and good luck!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to sunshinefish]

I am so in awe of you ! Hope your planning pays off. Happy running x

[sunshinefish Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thanks! If it works I will be in awe too...tonight was a bit slow getting out of the house, various forgotten things and "I'm not coming!" at one point...still another one in the bag.

I think we all get worse at everything towards the end of the working week 😂

Have you managed another run or got one planned?

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to sunshinefish]

I was out again today. It’s working to go out to do something else and then not go home till I’ve done my run too !

[Amandana]

Way to get the run in anyway!

Is your family supportive of your c25k goals? Hopefully! If so, perhaps you can let them know when you plan to run so they know to grab themselves a snack or do whatever they need to while you're running. I have two small kids and my hubby is being supportive, although sometimes is grumpy in the mornings if the kids are up before I'm back and showered, as it slows down his morning routine (which is usually gloriously solo)... we've had a little chat on how part of supporting me is doing what needs doing while I'm out of the house, and a stiff reminder that I've supported his weekly billiards league play (which is 9 months of the year) and weekly summer mountain bike rides for years, both of which take considerably longer than my runs (not to mention they're more costly activities too).

I think part of what you're getting at here goes beyond being a mum - it's a personality thing where some folks find it hard to prioritize personal goals over outside demands like those of children, the workplace, etc. You might like this book:

gretchenrubin.com/books/the... It's helped me understand myself better and I'm using some of what I've learned to help me meet my goals.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Amandana]

Thanks for that. I’ll see if my friendly local librarian can get hold of it for me 🙂📚