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Page 10 MADISON PARENT

Do at I Do:Active Parcnts Make

Active Familiesffi BYMASARAHVAN EYCK

for Capital Newpaperd

With the immeasurabledemands of raising a child,staying fit as a parent can bedifficult. Especially in thefirst years, when parenting isan around-the-clock job,what used to be a mind-clear-ing, exhilarating workout canfeel more like another chore.Add sleep deprivation to thechallenge and few parentswould choose an invigoratingthree-mile run over a pilferedsnooze between feedings.

But medical advice tells usthat the benefits of being inshape while expecting andraising children are clear:

mothers experience easierlabors when they are strongand flexible, we all sleepmore easily and deeply aftera workout, and regular exer-cise makes any parent betterable to handle the tossed peasand harrowing car rides thataccompany life with smallchildren.

"Mindful exercise can beso important," said Dr.Alison Craig-Shashko, a

pediatrician with theUniversigr of WisconsinHospital and Clinics,"because it makes you taketime out for yourself." As anew mother herself, however,slre algo knows how challeng-ing tliis can be. "You have tobe realistic with your eners/reseryes," she conceded. "Eatas well as you can, exercisewhen you can. But the rest isup to nature, you just dovour best." Still, she contin-

ued, "fparents] have to real-ize that taking care of them-selves is taking care of theirbabies."

Dana Micinski, a motherof two who teaches a pre-and post-natal fitness class athe west branch of theYMCA of Dane Count5r,agrees. "You have to have alittle time to decompress sothat you can deal with beinga mom again," she said,

Micinski, who has been anobstetrics nurse for 10 yearsand a fitness instructor evenlonger, also says that mothersbenefit from the social aspectof her classes, as they followone another's pregnancies

and ask advice about every-thing from epidurals tobreastfeeding. "I dont knowwhy they cant ask thosequestions in a doctor'soffice," she laughs, "but theyfeel more comfortable wheneverybody's talking about it

Often, she said, pregnantwomen who have never exercised or who have come toclass, just to meet new peopleend up staying long past thedue dates once they realizethe benefits of being inshape. "Getting started andfinding a class that fits a person's needs and has q.socialaspect is key," she explained.'1But once th"yr"illze lhuJenjoy fthe class], they stick#ttt it." !;

While some glms, like theYMCA, offer in-house childcare, staying in shape neednot induce separation anxi'

continu0 on page 15

Eeectant mom |{d,rcn Zanoya keeps in shape by attendint a pte- and post-natalfihess crass at the WestYMCA. pHoro: ATMANDA wEcNER

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A LOCAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS IN DANE COUNTY Page 15

Teenscontinae?from page 12

qr in general. Your teen willdevelop an attitude ofresponsibiligr and caringtoward others that will carryover into adult life.

"Communigz involvementgives the kid self-esteem,"said Kiefer.

Second,involvementwith a mentorfrom outside the

in friends, personaligrchanges, failure to make cur-few and being unusuallyuncommunicative. Whilemost teens go through nor-mal periods of difficulty inthese areas, it can also signaldrug use or clinical depres-s10n.

Work out house rules withyour teen instead of imposing

them. Kieferurges Parents tobe realisticregarding ruleslike curfew. Be

AC{iVg continuetfrom pase Ioety. In fact, a whole line of athletic equipment is gearedto-ward parents *ilIi" to take children along for theride. Baby packs and carriers, for example, make a walkaiound the late or even a day s hike possible. BabyJoggers - three-wheeled, lightrveigtt strollers ! comewitH full surpension *ttd a le.rh thx loops aro-und thewrist, allowing parents to run while pushing the stroller

Fo. cvclist*-toroud-p"t"nts, the bike trailer - abrightb'"-q6lori, t""i-t[" nylon carriage that attachesto tbe seat stern of an adult bike - is also an option'

According to Darin S"hultr, manager of BudgetBic-ycle C,,utier. main store, the bike trailer is a safe wayto iansport up to three kids, thanks t" i* lo*-L-the- -grorrrrdlonst uction and aluminum frarne, which makesit "pretty much a built-in roll cage." Burleyi fully col-lapsible modelwith quick-release wheels can easily betossed in a trunk and its optio"t stroller aftachmentallows for a quick transition from bike toui to zoo tour'

At some poiot, ho*"ver, kids can get tired of sittingin the stroller or trailer and watching the world go by."That's where the trailer bike comes in," said Schultz.Basicallv a child's bike without a front wheel, the trailerbike attlches to the stem or ra"L of atty JJt biLe toconvert it into a tandem. Whil" bike rides are not limit-

"Jr"-ift. "ftifa!.tr."sth o" bik" h*ndiitg tkill*, kid"can still contribute tolhe ride by pedaling, said Schultz,"it makes them feel like one of the adults."" s"il;; ;;il;i.-;;;;;;;,o be as a",i,,"as they *.r" befo.."*"y Ua children. pquipment likeBaby joggers and bike trailers are a popular solution,he conjectured, because "the;4 allow parents to taketheir whole f.*ily with them and still do the things theyused to do." And by watching and participating in par-ents'activities, kids are more likely to live acJiveIifestyles, he said. "11 ..rlly has to do with the wholefamilv being active."l

You aren'tyour cbi[22frien? -

T::E:,:}:rv you are tlae onb :ii"'l:I T .can give a teen j' a, ^ nu age-aPProPnate.pu".[""tirr". Thi. trIom or DaA {.Jse your con-adult serves as a UOU. Cbil/ Will cerns, such asrole model and v , 9uestlonablegives the teen a e\er laa7e. fiiendships, toneutral adult highlight posi-viewpoint. The emotional tive attributes, such as loyal-baggage or conflict between a ty. You'll open your teen'sparent and teen is absent in eyes to a bigger picture.this relationship, and that Most of all, realize themay make it easier for a teen power you have as a Parent.to share feelings, fears or You aren't your child's friendworries. - you are the only Morn or

Be alert for signs of trou- Dad your child will everble in your teen's life. Note have. Use your position ofany changes in behavior, power to give your teenKiefer explained, such as everything needed to suc'changes in grades and school ceed'attendance. Keep track of "And catch your kid doingInternet use. Pay attention to something right!" Bushywarnings such as disinterest said'l

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