Page 10
Do at I Do:
Active Parcnts Make
Active Families
ffi BYMASARAHVAN EYCK
for Capital Newpaperd
With the immeasurable
demands of raising a child,
staying fit as a parent can be
difficult. Especially in the
first years, when parenting is
an around-the-clock job,
what used to be a mind-clear-
ing, exhilarating workout can
feel more like another chore.
Add sleep deprivation to the
challenge and few parents
would choose an invigorating
three-mile run over a pilfered
snooze between feedings.
But medical advice tells us
Eeectant mom |{d,rcn Zanoya keeps in shape by attendint a pte- and post-natal that the benefits of being in
fihess crass at the WestYMCA. pHoro: ATMANDA wEcNER shape while expecting and
raising children are clear:
mothers experience easier
labors when they are strong
and flexible, we all sleep
more easily and deeply after
a workout, and regular exer-
cise makes any parent better
able to handle the tossed peas
and harrowing car rides that
accompany life with small
children.
"Mindful exercise can be
so important," said Dr.
Alison Craig-Shashko, a
pediatrician with the
Universigr of Wisconsin
Hospital and Clinics,
"because it makes you take
time out for yourself." As a
new mother herself, however,
slre algo knows how challeng-
ing tliis can be. "You have to
be realistic with your eners/
reseryes," she conceded. "Eat
as well as you can, exercise
when you can. But the rest is
up to nature, you just do
vour best." Still, she contin-
MADISON PARENT
ued, "fparents] have to real-
ize that taking care of them-
selves is taking care of their
babies."
Dana Micinski, a mother
of two who teaches a pre-
and post-natal fitness class at
the west branch of the
YMCA of Dane Count5r,
agrees. "You have to have a
little time to decompress so
that you can deal with being
a mom again," she said,
Micinski, who has been an
obstetrics nurse for 10 years
and a fitness instructor even
longer, also says that mothers
benefit from the social aspect
of her classes, as they follow
one another's pregnancies
and ask advice about every-
thing from epidurals to
breastfeeding. "I dont know
why they cant ask those
questions in a doctor's
office," she laughs, "but they
feel more comfortable when
everybody's talking about it."
Often, she said, pregnant
women who have never exer-
cised or who have come to
class, just to meet new people,
end up staying long past their
due dates once they realize
the benefits of being in
shape. "Getting started and
finding a class that fits a per-
son's needs and has q.social
aspect is key," she explained.
'1But once th"yr"illze lhuJ
enjoy fthe class], they stick
!;
#ttt it."
While some glms, like the
YMCA, offer in-house child-
care, staying in shape need
not induce separation anxi'
continu0 on page 15
A LOCAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS IN DANE COUNTY Page 15

AC{iVg continuetfrom pase Io

ety. In fact, a whole line of athletic equipment is geared
to-ward parents *ilIi"€ to take children along for the
ride. Baby packs and carriers, for example, make a walk
aiound the late or even a day s hike possible. Baby
Joggers - three-wheeled, lightrveigtt strollers ! come
witH full surpension *ttd a le.rh thx loops aro-und the
wrist, allowing parents to run while pushing the stroller

Fo. cvclist*-toroud-p"t"nts, the bike trailer - a

brightb'"-q6lori, t""i-t[" nylon carriage that attaches
to tbe seat stern of an adult bike - is also an option'
According to Darin S"hultr, manager of Budget
Bic-ycle C,,utier. main store, the bike trailer is a safe way -
in friends, personaligr to iansport up to three kids, thanks t" i* lo*-L-the-
Teens changes, failure to make cur- grorrrrdlonst uction and aluminum frarne, which makes
it "pretty much a built-in roll cage." Burleyi fully col-
continae?from page 12 few and being unusually
uncommunicative. While lapsible modelwith quick-release wheels can easily be
qr in general. Your teen will most teens go through nor- tossed in a trunk and its optio"t stroller aftachment
develop an attitude of mal periods of difficulty in allows for a quick transition from bike toui to zoo tour'
responsibiligr and caring these areas, it can also signal At some poiot, ho*"ver, kids can get tired of sitting
in the stroller or trailer and watching the world go by.
toward others that will carry drug use or clinical depres-
"That's where the trailer bike comes in," said Schultz.
over into adult life. s10n.
"Communigz involvement Work out house rules with Basicallv a child's bike without a front wheel, the trailer
bike attlches to the stem or ra"L of atty JJt biLe to
gives the kid self-esteem," your teen instead of imposing
said Kiefer. them. Kiefer convert it into a tandem. Whil" bike rides are not limit-
You aren't urges Parents to o" bik" h*ndiitg tkill*, kid"
Second, "Jr"-ift. "ftifa!.tr."sth
can still contribute tolhe ride by pedaling, said Schultz,
involvement be realistic
your cbi[22 "it
" makes them feel like one of the adults."
with a mentor regarding rules
s"il;; ;;il;i.-;;;;;;;,o be as a",i,,"
from outside the frien?-
you are tlae onb
like curfew. Be
as they *.r" befo.."*"y Ua children. pquipment like
T::E:,:}:rv
can give a teen j' a,
:ii"'l:I T .
nu age-aPProPnate.
Baby joggers and bike trailers are a popular solution,
pu".[""tirr". Thi. trIom or DaA
^ your con- {.Jse
he conjectured, because "the;4 allow parents to take
their whole f.*ily with them and still do the things they
adult serves as a Cbil/ Will cerns, such as
UOU.v used to do." And by watching and participating in par-
role model and , 9uestlonable
e\er laa7e. ents'activities, kids are more likely to live acJive
gives the teen a fiiendships, to
Iifestyles, he said. "11 ..rlly has to do with the whole
neutral adult highlight posi-
familv being active."l
viewpoint. The emotional tive attributes, such as loyal-
baggage or conflict between a ty. You'll open your teen's
parent and teen is absent in eyes to a bigger picture.
this relationship, and that Most of all, realize the
may make it easier for a teen power you have as a Parent.
to share feelings, fears or You aren't your child's friend Dress-up Theme
Parties for Children
worries. - you are the only Morn or
Ages 5 & Up
Be alert for signs of trou- Dad your child will ever
ble in your teen's life. Note have. Use your position of - 7{E4tsoofttg
Qarden fairy -lPrfficess,
any changes in behavior, power to give your teen
lPirate A.drtenture
Kiefer explained, such as everything needed to suc'
changes in grades and school ceed'
E La-'Tea-D o I tea eafties
We offer partyAroslin8.andochildren s
attendance. Keep track of "And catch your kid doing
Internet use. Pay attention to something right!" Bushy (608) 455-3WSr{
warnings such as disinterest said'l www. 3 wishesandawardrobe.com