#12. Parenting Quote of the Week
April 15, 2007 by kate baggott
Filed under Mental Health
I didn’t rush back into sport after my children were born. I let my body tell me when it was ready, and I didn’t push my goal setting, nor my training. I allowed myself to train with a relaxed and joyful attitude, which reinforced my belief that running and being athletic are an integral part of my life. After my early, burning years of intensity and obsessiveness, my training has taken on a meditative quality.
– Long distance running champion, duathlete and two-time mother Lucy Smith in Transitions Magazine, the publication of the Ontario Association of Triathletes.
Awesome quote, and it can easily be transfered in to “real life” for us non-super athletes! I, too, took my time and let my body tell me when it was ready to do things (return to the gym, etc), but I think too many women rush back to sport, work and other every day things rather than listening to their body and enjoying what they are doing! Of course, that is just my own opinion and observations!
Maria- I agree that women rush back, but what is worst is contemplating all the pressures there are on us to keep rushing. When the hospital lets you go home 4 hours after birth, the message to the outside world is not “care for the mother at home,” it’s “Wow, she must have had an easy time.”
Then, there are finances and the lack of emotional and physical support. As much as I wish it were possible, not everyone is in a position to stop and think and listen to her own body after she has a child.
Getting to know the extent of the problem has been the saddest thing about writing this site.
I know I did too much after the birth of my children. With the 1st baby, we moved 2 weeks after she was born. With baby #2, I had a young child to care for. Sometimes it’s hard for moms to take a rest.
As far as the hospital goes, I asked them if I could leave. They were driving me nuts coming in my room all the time waking me up and my room was so hot!
I do wish I would have rested more after their births and wouldn’t have been so stressed out.
Ah Karen, what a regret to have. I hope there is a new mother who reads it and goes back to bed for a nap.
Well, I didn’t have a choice about moving. I packed as much as I could before she was born, but still had a lot to do after her birth. I remember picking up boxes that I know I shouldn’t have picked up. Then I remember feeling guilty because I took a nap while people were unpacking things on the truck for me. I wish I wouldn’t have been put through so much stress after her birth. Plus, I had huge breastfeeding issues that about put me over the edge. I am thankful it is over with now.
It is hard not to worry about the mounting dishes and housework, but moms should take a break and rest.
I was lucky. I had my baby in Germany, so I had a ton of support after the birth even though I was at home just 12 hours after The Boy arrived! My midwife came daily at first, and then every few days. Towards the end she came every two weeks or so.
It is true though about the pressures. Things “must” get done, and sometimes work does not wait.
I had the same kind of midwife support, but what really made the difference was having my mother here to provide healthy meals for the first 6 days after my first child and two weeks after the second.
The second time, her help was even more necessary because my oldest needed so much attention.