Transformation & Tiny Humans

As parents, when try to improve in different aspects of life, we’re doing it as much for those around us as we are for ourselves.

I want my children to be inspired by my actions, to see the work I put into reading, writing, learning. To see that my progress in exercising is not only measured in physical gains, but also emotional. That I have more patience and calm. That I’m happier.

The tricky part is that it’s not always easy to find time and space for self-improvement when you also have tiny humans around. With babies and toddlers, this can feel near impossible, especially if they don’t sleep and/or you’re doing it on your own.

I remember the first time Mike and I realized our kids were old enough to be home alone while we went for a quick jog together. We hadn’t jogged together in years. Up until that point, time for exercise always necessitated tag-team parenting, because someone had to be on duty.

It was such freedom. It felt like a luxury.

(Then there was the second time we left them home alone and we returned to find that they’d lit all the candles).

Not only do endeavors of self-improvement get easier as kids grow and get more independent, but we now can include them in our efforts…not that they always want to be included. Though we invite them to do our workouts with us, they have yet to take us up on the offer.

There is no downside to transforming into the best versions of ourselves. It creates a positive, ripple effect that flows out from one person to the next.

If you’re on a similar journey, and navigating your path with small children in tow, my hat goes off to you. It gets easier. One piece of advice: when they’re old enough to give you that first bit of freedom, maybe have a talk about fire safety before you head out for a jog.