Exercise - Motivation, Priorities and What Really Matters

Daily newsletter #40. Exercise pt 5 of 7

I'm going to give myself 10 minutes to write this. You'll have to forgive me.

The aim was to write a post based on exercise and having a child with additional needs likely to mean they will remain dependent on you for the foreseeable future. Or more likely forever to some extent.

There is a need to stay fit both to help them practically, to do things around the house, as they will likely be living with you, and to advocate for them.

However, there is also the need to stay fit and sharp so that it doesn't all feel too tiring. It is one thing being able to do something, perhaps another to have the energy to carry it out day after day without it feeling too exhausting.

I was going to look at how this can either be a negative feeling - I need to stay fit or else - or a far more positive sense of 'let's get fit, let's stay fit - and this is the motivation'.

I much prefer the latter to be honest we all need something to kick our arse into gear.

And then there would have been another couple of hundred words going over this, you know the format.

Except, on taking myself off to write, fun started to breakout in the lounge - coincidentally I should add. It's not that fun happens when I leave (well, not all the time).

The boys have found a TV programme they can bond over - Ben and Holly. But, there is a lot more going on. Silly noises, pretending to be Gaston (the ladybird).

They don't need me in there, I certainly shouldn't try and impose myself on the fun - it is great to see the boys playing together, it doesn't always happen.

It would be nice to observe though - which I appreciate makes me sound a bit like a Dickensian father, glancing in to see his charges engaged in healthy horseplay.

It is a reminder that yes, there is that need to stay fit, our eldest may remain with us - with whatever degree of independence seems best - but this can also be a joyous time.

What really matters is staying fit - both to advocate and help our son, but also just to enjoy it. For holidays together, for walks and maybe even for some horseplay.

(That was actually 11 minutes of writing. I spoil you readers!)