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E=mc2
In Sandra’s theory of relatives, this equation translates roughly to: in a world of mathematical perfection, energy (mine) should equal somewhere near the movement of children, squared.
Energy is a big issue in parenting, and even more so when the parents are older. One concern voiced by some not at all in favor of older parents adopting young children is all about vim and vigor, and whether or not there’s enough to fill the demands of busy little kids. Moms worn to a frazzle with sleepless nights, adventurous toddlers, chasing and bending and stooping and wiping and feeding, can often not present the most picture-perfect image of maternal sweetness and light. And when kids and parents age in tandem bringing into the mix soccer, dance, play group, karate, etc., etc., etc., schedules that require lots of parental participation and non-stop driving alongside failing eyesight, creaking joints and an increasing tendency to forget stuff, there are those who suspect the kids may be getting a raw deal.
(To digress just for a moment here … can one have vim without vigor? If I am vigorous, am I allowed to think of myself as ‘vimish’? … sorry … )
At fifty-four do I have the same level of energy I had at twenty or thirty?
No. I need naps. I also need to eat right, take vitamins, get at least a good nine hours of sleep at night, drink plenty of fluids, keep myself regular, never forget to floss, and keep learning things so my brain stays fit and flexible along with the rest of me.
Long gone are the days when I could boogie until the early morning hours, then pop out of bed with a smile on my face and the ability to perform arduous tasks for the following twelve hours. Nope. Can’t do that any more. I’ve also lost the capacity for doing the splits AND I can’t walk on my hands anymore. The handy knack of eating whole bags of Oreos without putting on a pound, then losing five kilos in a week just by thinking about it is gone, too.
So, how does an old broad parent two little kids? How do I make my ‘E’ equal my ‘MC’, square or otherwise?
First, what I lack in energy I make up for in enthusiasm. I may not be chasing Sam through the jungle in games of “Me Tarzan, You Mom”, but our art sessions are wildly exciting, and our reading times are full of adventure.
Second, I enlist others for the rough stuff. Mark and Gay are both big on nature hikes, soccer and other more strenuous activities, so the kids get some physical escapades with them, while I act as official photographer … or get a nap.
Third, I rest when the kids rest, and we all go to bed early.
And, fourth, sometimes I just go nuts and do wild and crazy stuff with them, then deal with any aches and pains that may result.
As it turns out, Einstein might have known a thing or two after all.
I like this post Sandra. I had been considering writing on this topic. I remain fairly active with my kids but I think that is become I am pretty high strung. Sometimes I think energy level if driven by personality types as much as the environmental factors that you mentioned. Still, like you said, I feel it after a day at the waterpark or riding bikes or skating. I wonder if that’s because I’m old or just because I don’t do it that often? Or is it that I don’t do stuff like that often, BECAUSE I am old?