Last year for Christmas, my mom gave the kids & me a membership to the YMCA. Little did I know at the time, that it would be the best gift ever for reasons I wouldn't have guessed.
Sure I was excited about working out more; I envisioned a fantastic goddess-like body that hasn't materialized. I was also thrilled that the kids would get to interact and play with other kids in playcare, while I worked out. The YMCA allows for kids to be in their care for two hours a day while the parents are on the property. I must be honest and admit that sometimes my main motivation for going is for the kids' social lives. There have even been times that I wanted to go mainly for my workout.
Lately though, it has been very clear that going there is the key to my sanity. Not only am I a single mom, but I am a full-time single mom. I don't share custody (because he is in Texas). My kids are not in a mothers' day out program or pre-school. I don't have a babysitter. There is a RARE occassion where my mom will watch them after I put them in bed so that I can run a quick errand or even less often while I go to a movie with my sister. For the most part though, I don't get any breaks. My mom is certainly willing, but I realize that she works too hard to have the energy for silly/loud kids.
As for "me time," I have come to consider me time the time when I am in the shower pretending that I can't hear them arguing and the time that they are in bed sleeping and I am working for my company. Good thing I like my job.
Back to the point, going to the Y means that I have a 2 hour break. I don't have to worry because they are well cared for and I am easy to find if anything should go wrong. It is nice and quiet during the time I go, which is 10 am to noon, when only other moms and senior citizens are there. Plus, exercise gets my blood pumping and reduces my stress. I can feel a huge difference in my ability to be patient and handle the constant chatter on days that we go. Thanks to the YMCA I have survived this last year and I know I'll be ok for the half of next year that I'll be living here.
2 comments:
What a nice gift! I should look into the one near us. It doesn't have everything, but there's probably something worthwhile there.
I've never been to a Y but I am interested to go check one out.
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