Kerrie Ann Frey

Irony is an ironic thing. Happy weather person says no rain; it deluges all afternoon. Son requests me to make his lunch because the school lunch is “disgussstin’”. When I pick him up he is disgruntled because they changed the lunch to pizza. Irony makes up the little things in life that the universe throws in to shake us up.

My friend Alyson says it is pure irony that my daughter just doesn’t have the gotta-run-my-legs genes. While I spend half my day moving, creating movement for people, writing about movement or designing movement programs, Mae is content to watch. I’ve tried every form of exercise known for children to try to entice her to like something. It’s not that she won’t get exercise with a little prompting; but, she just hasn’t found something that she likes to do. She doesn’t feel a deep-seated need to do any. Which kills me.

I had this jumbo muffin pan for years. Sometimes I still rummage in my cabinets looking for it even though it was washed away in Katrina. Three years later I’m still looking for that pan even though it is not there. That’s how it is with Mae. I’m looking in her for the love of exercise that I have, but so far, it’s hibernating.

When children simply can’t find something they really enjoy doing, it is still our responsibility as parents to help them to get the minimum 30-minutes a day of cardiovascular work. We can’t force it upon them. That’s only going to lead to control issues and anger directed at you. Instead, it’s time to break out the creativity.

1. Make a fool out of yourself on the front lawn. My kids like to play Olympics – irony, again. To make sure they get their exercise in, I will tumble set, cartwheel and round off my way across the lawn. Yes, I look like a gymnastic version of a cougar at a college keg party, but it’s for my kids. Get off my back. I’m 37 years old and can still do a backbend that impresses Mae. Then she tries and the next thing we know we are running all over, exercising our hearts and enjoying one another.

2. Be willing to call something exercise that, technically, may not be. D-E-F-E-N-S-E! Mae is on her pep squad at school. They cheer behind the cheerleaders at games. No, it’s not a jog around the block or sprints on the soccer field, but it is something. She needs water when she’s finished, so she’s done something. Don’t be too picky about what qualifies to you as exercise. Their little legs tire out more easily than ours so her “Push ‘Em Back” is a calorie-burner for her.

3. Make the time and stop complaining that it takes too much time. You are just wasting time. I hear so many parents at events or Club Fit Kid or even the gym itself, who are complaining that all these activities just wear them out. All that driving. We need to take a more positive look at what we are driving our children to – better health, stronger bones and a longer, happier life. No, your 8-year-old cannot drive himself to basketball. You will have to do it. Unfortunately, by agreeing to bring the child into the world, feed it, clothe it and name it George, you have also taken on the role of health-provider. Making sure your children get the exercise they need is as important as making sure they do their homework.

By finding activities that encourage your children to enjoy exercise, they will take that love of movement into their future. Going for a morning bike ride will be second nature and pumping out push-ups like Charlton Heston will be their trick for truth or dare. After all, before we know it these little guys will be in high school and then college. Then they won’t have us to watch out for them, encouraging them to find something they love. And to shy away from the older lady in leopard at the beer tent.