Anyone else not very physically active and how did your kids turn out?

[Anonymous]

We seem to be a low-key family and I have some guilt about it. After a long day at work I'm happy to just do some reading after cooking and cleaning up dinner and handling all the household chores. Even on the weekends I see other families out completing long bike rides, going on long hikes, or engaging in other active, stimulating activities. I just don't seem to have the energy or interest in all that and I'm worried that I'm raising a kid that will become an in active homebody like me. Child seems very happy to just be home playing around on the Internet chatting with friends etc. He doesn't gravitate towards sports or group activities. None of us has an issue with weight and when he was younger we did all sorts of concerts and activities that were stimulating. Now as a preteen we seem to just have become homebodies. Am I dooming my kid to be a boring homebody or is this just a phase that he will dig himself out of as an adult? What's my role in forcing him out of the house when he seems perfectly happy to just be here hanging around? Most kids seemed completely scheduled with a long list of activities. We are just hanging out happily at home.

[Anonymous]

I think that it is unlikely that a kid who isn't asking to do those kinds of activities now will suddenly discover them as an adult.

You need to do what you need to do to keep a happy home, but at some point he will stop growing and with no habit of being active, a "homebody" can quickly become a lonely 20-something with a weight problem.

I'm not saying he necessarily will, just that maybe if the three of you can dredge up an interest in anything active at all, or if he has a vague interest in something, it really might be beneficial to try to pursue it.

[Anonymous]

We are the opposite. My husband and I both value reading/intellectual activities, but we are highly into physical fitness and played sports competitively as kids.

My kids have always seen mom or dad running or going to the gym. In fact, they were at the gym with us in the adjacent daycare room playing indoor sports. We do go up to the HS track as a family--kids will play on field while we run, run bleachers, etc. We will have races.

Exercise has always been a great release for my spouse and I. We look 1/2 our age and can keep up with our active kids.

They are in their rooms reading right now. My oldest has a lot of interest in drawing, writing, card games, etc. They are pretty well-rounded and school work will always trump practices no matter what level they are playing.

I do think physical activity---even if it is just walking is very important to teach kids. It should be part of everyday---like brushing your teeth.

I think it's harder for kids that aren't exposed to physical pursuits to adopt them when they are older. I know for my mom that did not grow up playing sports like me---getting an exercise routine going later in life was more of a challenge. Now in her 70s, she and my dad are regulars at Gold's gym.

[Anonymous]

Computer time and TV is never allowed in our house unless there was some outdoor physical play and homework is done.

I don't want my kids spending all of their time on the Internet or video games in the spare time.

When my kids have a heavy sports practice week, some nights I do let them do just that. But weekends and such we all get out and get fresh air and exercise.

[Anonymous]

Our kids do not know us as particularly active. They are - each 2 sport HS varsity athletes. Their own initiative. It's much more about what their friends do than their parents. We were much more active when we were their age, HS sports

[Anonymous]

We're not very active - I never packed on extra pounds until I hit 40 despite my couch potato tendencies, so no, I don't think my kids will be obese if they don't see me go to the gym every day (I really hate gyms). I try to hit the treadmill four or five times a week. DH bike commutes sometimes. We try to plan family hikes that sometimes actually happen. Kids are not into playing organized sports, but older DC is in a beautiful outdoor environment in college and has taken up hiking and climbing - there was no freshman 15. Younger DC does some of his Netflix watching on the treadmill and sometimes lifts weights after school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that it is unlikely that a kid who isn't asking to do those kinds of activities now will suddenly discover them as an adult.

You need to do what you need to do to keep a happy home, but at some point he will stop growing and with no habit of being active, a "homebody" can quickly become a lonely 20-something with a weight problem.

I'm not saying he necessarily will, just that maybe if the three of you can dredge up an interest in anything active at all, or if he has a vague interest in something, it really might be beneficial to try to pursue it.

Total BS. I grew up in a family that never played any sports and never did any hikes. My parents are still couch potatoes.

I am 40 now and every single year I am trying to learn something new. I got a diving license when I was 20 and still dive every year. I ran my first race at 30 and keep running now. I learned to swim at the age of 25 (when I saw the ocean for the first time). I tried yoga and pilates for the fist time at the age of 35 and loved it so much! I accidentally walked into the kickboxing class last January and now doing it once a week. I tried for the first time TRX and using it once or twice a week now. I still have a tennis on my bucket list (I wait until retirement).

I never had a weight problem. Was 105 lb at 5'2 prior to having kids and 115-120lb now.

[Anonymous]

^ I forgot to mention that I learned to ride a bike when my youngest child was 6-7 y.o. and all family wanted to bike together. I still remember that amazing feeling of riding down the hill and thinking "Why I've never done this before?". We are going for a regular bike rides with my family now.

[Anonymous]

I was never particularly active growing up. Organized sports were definitely looked down on in my family. I am 100% paying the price for it now and have moved heaven and earth to make sure that my kid grew up differently. She plays a varsity sport and sets a fitness goal every summer. She is in great shape and views exercise as a major source of stress relief and social time. Starting to look at colleges and a big consideration is each school's exercise and fitness facilities for regular students.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure there are people who will turn out just fine but as a lifelong athlete it makes me sad for them that they won't learn any of the lessons that playing a sport can provide--teamwork, time management, goal setting, and getting along with others to work toward a common goal, among others. They're really missing out on a lot. Team activities also look great on a resume--as a college athlete, it's been mentioned during every single job interview I've ever had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ I forgot to mention that I learned to ride a bike when my youngest child was 6-7 y.o. and all family wanted to bike together. I still remember that amazing feeling of riding down the hill and thinking "Why I've never done this before?". We are going for a regular bike rides with my family now.

You mean: wth did my parents not teach me this joy as a kid?!?!!! Bikes were a regular part of every kid's childhood. Wow!

[Anonymous]

Lack of Education and fitness were deal breakers when I was dating.

Exercise has always been a daily part of my life and could never be with somebody that didn't also view it as a priority like healthy eating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ I forgot to mention that I learned to ride a bike when my youngest child was 6-7 y.o. and all family wanted to bike together. I still remember that amazing feeling of riding down the hill and thinking "Why I've never done this before?". We are going for a regular bike rides with my family now.

That's awesome, good for you!

[Anonymous]

I did no organized sports as a child, and by the time I was interested (middle school / high school) I was really behind and uncoordinated. I also developed a weight problem once I got away from school campuses where I had to walk/bike everywhere. I want to make sure my DD can throw and catch, ride a bike, and knows the basic rules for social PE type sports like soccer and basketball.

So far -- and she's only in preschool -- DD hates organized sports and prefers to stay inside. We make a point of going outside every day: to walk the dog, to count birds, to check on the neighbors up the street, whatever excuse will get her out. I'd strongly recommend you develop a family habit or tradition like daily walks, charity fundraising walk/run, pushup challenge ... just something to develop that daily habit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure there are people who will turn out just fine but as a lifelong athlete it makes me sad for them that they won't learn any of the lessons that playing a sport can provide--teamwork, time management, goal setting, and getting along with others to work toward a common goal, among others. They're really missing out on a lot. Team activities also look great on a resume--as a college athlete, it's been mentioned during every single job interview I've ever had.

There is no reason to feel sorry for people who do things differently than you. I know you said "people turn out fine not doing what you did BUT you sound very judgmental. Are you an artist? a gardener? a musician? If not, than I feel sorry for you! ( but not really because I respect people's choices)

Btw, I did experience team sports and I don't think it was all that and a bag of chips, for me.