As parents and caregivers, we spend more time scheduling activities, driving carpools and waiting in lobbies while our kids have all the fun, than we spend on extracurriculars for ourselves. We wonder how we can find time to pursue our own interests and workout when their lives keep us so busy.
We have found the answer for our family.
Our girls (Ms. 5 and Ms. 7) have been taking Taekwondo for over a year. The school offers 3 different levels of classes: a younger class for ages 4-7, a junior class for ages 8-14 and an adult class. One of the things we love about the school is that, at any level, we can choose from classes six days a week. Even better, three of those six days offer family classes which all junior and adult students can attend. Once Ms. 5 moved out of the younger class and into juniors, my husband and I signed up and we all get to go together. We each get in the workout we personally need, our kids get to see us having fun and we get to truly enjoy an activity with them. Ms. 5 is the queen of high-fives and often says "I love that I can hug you when it's not my turn."
I urge you to look around in your area for a facility that has family classes. Many local gyms and YMCAs have classes that older kids can join in on and some even reach out to younger kids as well.
Do you participate in an extracurricular activity as a family? Something that is geared towards both the grown-ups and the kids? I'd love to hear about it!
