"Do Not Engage"

When this phrase was uttered to me last week, I thought, "Is this lady crazy? Does she not know who I am?" But after some time I wondered if it was possible for me to not engage people or situations. 

Then the test came...

On Friday, I asked Miss Traditionalist to get her shoes on so that we could go on a jog. She stood up and declared, "ugh!! Mom!!! I hate jogging!" Then proceeded to get her shoes on vocalizing her dismay the whole time. Being the awesomely, great mom that I am :-) I would have normally responded with sarcasm and mocking lol. This time however, I chose "not to engage" and after a couple of minutes Miss Traditionalist calmed down and came to me. She explained that she doesn't like running and wishes it could be like it use to be when we bonded over pizza and a movie.

I am learning that it's important that my kids see me living my life, being healthy and enjoying it. Do I love running? Definitely not!! Do I love spending time with my family? Yes, very much! So, to help me enjoy running and encourage the kids to do the same, they join me. They hate it until I begin racing them. I never win but I enjoy the challenge and they enjoy "playing" with me. On the weekend they especially love jogging once they figure out our destination is Jamba Juice. 

Exercise does not have to be those dreaded minutes we spend sweating and getting no where fast. Wake up and decide today to jog to the mailbox and back. Then, jog to the corner store and back. Challenge your kids, husband, boyfriend, brother or sister to a race. My favorite are 3-legged races :-)

Miss Traditionalist eventually ran with me. I knew she would. But the restraint I demonstrated by not engaging and the respect I showed her by my lack of sarcasm spoke volumes.

Our journey continues....