LOVE Joni's idea. And actually, she may be on to something. I am thinking that when you take all three kids, it ought to be a walk intended for THEIR enjoyment. This is for two reasons:
1. If there is any way you can get 30-45 minutes worth of a sitter to go walking alone, or with the non-talking, non-crying furkid, it would be a great sanity recharger for you. I know, there is no time, and DH is tired after work, and your three kids are more difficult than most (that is what I always used to think)......but the truth of the matter is.......if you can arrange this, even once or twice a week......you are going to be so much better for them. It is a short time for someone else to watch them........and like a goldmine of time for you.....to be alone..........do you remember what that is like????
2. Sometimes, as mom's, we are tricked into the illusion that we and our children truly enjoy the same things. Sure, the kids like a walk for a short time.......but they really don't understand your need to get your heartrate up for so many minutes.........or the need to cool down before they $hit themselves, or get thirsty.......or stung by the bee...or whatever the case may be. If it is too stressful to take them all with you..........you are not going to be as likely to keep it up. And, you don't want what is supposed to be a nice fun time for all of you, to end up being a frustrating crying disaster.
I kind of have the same attitude about shopping with my kids. I take them with here and there in order to teach them how to behave in a store........but only on a short shopping trip........or one I can leave in the middle of if I have to. It is way less stressful that way. Also, by taking short low stress shopping trips with them, they have learned to have excellent manners and behavior in the store.......and I really think it is because they had the opportunity to learn under the right conditions, and in the amount of time their short little attention spans could handle. They are all pretty much great shoppers now.........even if I have to stay longer than I ought to with them. Sometimes, I even get brave and take the team to the grocery store (not very often though......they all talk now, and it costs me way too much to bring them
).
I bet walking with them, (whatever system you come up with) will get easier and easier, as long as you don't expect them to last for a work out at this time.
And who knows..........maybe they will do way better than I am guessing. I just never really had great luck working out with more than one child along.
Plus......getting to be alone made working out a super d duper great treat for me........you know, back when I used to work out..........LOL.
good to see you again!!
