Life With A Baby - The WWF Winter Challenge

Friday, December 09, 2011 6:49 AM

Message # 769740

Deleted user

Winter in Canada... a phenomenon encountered by millions of brave souls every year. With so many reports about SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) deadening the spirits of even the most energetic and lively characters, we've brainstormed a healthy, invigorating challenge to get us from here to April!!

What is the WWF challenge?

Water - 2 litres of clear fluids/day

Walk - at least 10 minutes outdoors rain or shine (or snow)

Fun - A childless, non-work related, rejuvenating activity at least once/week

Are YOU up for the challenge?

Friday, December 09, 2011 5:13 PM

Reply # 770054 on 769740

Tatiana

Sounds very interesting! I am definitely meeting the first two already (just by having to drink lots for breast-feeding, still, and walking tons with baby in stroller each day), but the third one is going to be a challenge for me, as a 'working mom'... hmm....

Saturday, December 10, 2011 4:05 PM

Reply # 770639 on 769740

Deleted user

Excellent Tatiana! Water and Exercise are the easiest to overlook - especially during the winter months - so glad to hear you've got it down :)

Being a working mom increases the challenge of adding anything rejuvenating. Are you a reader? A cafe gal? A concert lover?? Is there a dad/sitter in the picture that helps free up a couple of hours here and there?

The challenge is on to encourage those who may be struggling with these basic arenas of wellness. Our children capture so much of our physical, mental, and emotional energy that other vital areas - namely social and intellectual - may be compromised.

Which begs the question... what can a working (or otherwise occupied) mom do to find time to rejuvenate - to feel "young" again???

Saturday, December 10, 2011 8:36 PM

Reply # 770767 on 770639

Tatiana

Yes I agree that personal 'me time/leisure time' is the easiest - and sometimes necessary - aspect to 'sacrifice', when faced with overwhelming pressures of balancing work and family... I have a wonderful husband, who is actually the stay-at-home parent right now, and does give me a lot of time away from baby - however even all of THAT time is needed just to keep up with my work, while also spending some time with baby throughout the day...(I do a lot of my work from home, and some out of home at my work place.) Right now is especially the peak work time, and it should end in about 1.5 weeks; I am *soooo* looking forward to doing some catch-up on R & R...

As for 'rejuvenating'... massages and spa treatments has to be one of the best ways to do it... I live close to Hillcrest mall, and there is a spa there; I even have a gift-package waiting to be used, whenever I finally get a chance... I think giving spa gifts (gift cards/certificates, or packages) is probably one of the nicest and practical ways to force a mom to take some 'rejuvenating' time. I also love movies (actually used to love movies with my husband, but now it's hard for us to go out, without any family in the city), so maybe a lone-movie outing is also a possibility (taking turns with my hubby).

Thanks, Nadine.

Last modified: Saturday, December 10, 2011 9:19 PM | Tatiana

Saturday, December 10, 2011 8:40 PM

Reply # 770769 on 770767

Tatiana

Sorry I think I misunderstood your last question, about how to free up time for rejuvenation (rather than how to rejuvenate)... that can be a tough one, if there is no other person to take the child for some time, to give free time to the mother... perhaps instead of buying gifts for the holidays (and/or whatever other occasion), friends/family can instead give 'gifts of time' to the mother, by taking care of child for a little while so that mom can go out...

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 6:50 AM

Reply # 772397 on 769740

Deleted user

You make a great point Tatiana! So often we look to give people stuff, when what they really may need the most is "us" - whatever that may look like.

Yesterday was my first day back at work !! All the excitement was draining, there are lots of changes, and the pace is very different. I found myself ready for a nap around 1 o'clock - still on baby schedule :)

How did you find the first few weeks?

My husband is also Mr. Mom for a bit.... it's nice to see him have more time with Keone.

As for WWF - I flooded my body with water and had every intention of excercising by walking to and from work - only to get a ride both ways - Not so lucky today ;) Gotta plan some "me" time for sure!!!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 7:21 PM

Reply # 773554 on 769740

Tatiana

I found the first few weeks back to work very stressful... I went back early, my son was only 6.5 months old, and although my husband was at home with him, it was still difficult to manage him because back then he still relied mostly on breast milk for food (we'd just started solids at 6 months, and he was NOT eating well at all, still isn't!), and only directly from the breast... (he refused the bottle very early on, around the time his acid reflux kicked in at 3 weeks; even if I pumped my own breast milk to put in a bottle... only directly from the 'source'.) Luckily back then I wasn't going in to work very often at all, even less than now, so I wasn't gone very long, so I could get back and feed him before he'd really 'starve'...

On the first day itself I almost broke down crying to a friend when I first got in to our first meeting, so many different emotions and stress running through me...

8 months later, it's a lot better.

Overall it is hard to manage work and kids, as I'm sure all working moms would agree... it helps if you have a supportive work place, and coworkers.

Good luck!

The WWF Winter Challenge

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