SacMomsClub.com

Fall is almost here, and for many families this is a time for new beginnings – many children are entering a new year in school (or preschool) or starting new groups or activities.  What about YOU?  Physically, socially or educationally, what are YOU doing that’s new and exciting?

If that question made you laugh, then you really need to think about how to improve this.  No matter how busy your life is, or how small your children, there are always ways to liven things up.  If you’re in a rut, and you can’t remember the last thing that excited you, it’s time to do something about it.  Now.

Let’s break this down by the age of your children.

If you have a baby:  Your choices may be more limited, especially if you’re nursing, but you still have some good options.

• Look for a kid-friendly group to join – many are listed on this website
• Take a class with your baby.  If you’d like to learn a fun way to communicate more easily with your child, Baby Signs offers great interactive classes in many locations; if you just want to play, Gymboree and many local kid gyms offer parent-tot activities
• Get outside and take a walk, with a front-pack or stroller – there are so many beautiful trails around this area, you can find a new place to go, to get out of the house and get some exercise too
• If you’re really keen on the exercise, join one of the stroller fitness groups – there are several to choose from, including Stroller Strides and Stroller Fit, throughout the Sacramento area

If you have a toddler – 3-year-old or so:  Your days are probably spent trying to keep up with your child, but if you’re no longer nursing you have a few more choices than before.

• Again, child-friendly activities are key.  Where could you let your child play that would also be fun for YOU?  A playgroup with cool moms, perhaps, or a play center (like Funtastic or Bounceopolis) where you can relax while your child burns off some energy?
• You could swap sitting with another mom, and go somewhere fun for a couple hours – out to a restaurant you haven’t tried, to a store you’ve been wanting to check out, or even to a movie.

If your child is now in preschool or older:  You actually have some regular time to yourself now – indulge, and make the most of it!

• Look at local classes, through community colleges, adult education programs, your gym or elsewhere.  Whether you’d prefer a weekly event or an occasional outing, there are lots of great options to choose from.
• Think about your hobbies or desired hobbies (scrapbooking? rock climbing? gardening? gourmet cooking? tap dancing, ballroom dancing or even pole dancing if you’re very adventurous?) and look at how you could build one of these into your schedule.
• What activities have you told yourself you’d try “when there was more time”?  Well, now you have a bit – seize your opportunity!

You’ll have more of yourself to offer to your children (and to everyone else) when you take the time to renew yourself and do things to get you out of the daily grind.  You owe it to everyone in your household – yourself included – to make “me time” more of a priority.

Your assignment:  Come up with one new or interesting activity that you would love to do – then make the time over the next week to build it in, or at least to get it planned.  You deserve it!