Seeing the world through the Tornado’s eyes.

Her feet are catching up to mine!

Ive always said (to Ren Man, to friends, to *anyone* who would listen) all that matters to me is the kind of person the Tornado grows up to be.

I dont care how much money she makes.

I dont care what profession she chooses.

I dont care if she gets married or has children or any of the’ traditional’ stuffs.

I care she learns and truly grasps the notion life is as simple as do unto others.

I care she learns & hones the ability to put herself in the place of the other and employ empathy.

It was only after I became a mother I learned in order to teach these concepts to her I needed to *stop* & view the world through her eyes first.

Im taking about this over at the FILA blog today.

Ive taught Sunday School. 

Ive taught swimming. 

Ive been a trainer. 

I am a mother.

The one thing all my ‘teaching’ endeavors have in common is the fact none of them “clicked” or fell into place until I *stopped* and considered how each of my students (or the Tornado) viewed his or her world.

It’s amazing what you learn & discover when you make the effort to view your surroundings through the eyes of another.

Friend, co-worker, boss, family member, acquaintance or child.

View the original article here

Fonebloggin’ (the Tornado’s) Foamrollin’

(not a foam roller, but it’s what Ive got on my smart phone. d*mn spontaneous posts…)

Subtitle: Arent I the one who says if you practice what you preach there’s nary a need to preach?

Last night, after a day of active vigorous mama/daughter play, the Tornado gestured vaguely to her side and announced:

Mama if this still hurts tomorrow Im going to get up and foam roll it.**

Yes I laughed (on the inside where it counts).

Yes I told all of you (on FB where it’s less ephemeral than twitter).

Yes she’s gotten up and is attempting to mangle her 5 year old bod on my roller.

Which all leads me to wonder (aloud to you more experienced at parenthood and/or foam rolling types):

When we choose to practice and not preach should we simultaneously let our little people know some ‘stuff’ we are practicing is NOT for them to try?*And, more importantly, is foam rolling harmful to little bodies even when done in play with a big person around?  (remember my Airrosti adventure? they seemed to think not…)

Id love your thoughts, insights, & foam rolling fer 5 year olds tips in the comments below.

*By way of full dizclosure I should let you know Ive already walked in on her rolling her booty with the grimacing tennis ball pictured above.

**When I closed down my mom-blog to pursue MizFit fulltime I purchased a (fancy for us) notebook with the Tornado’s initial on the front. I leave it on the kitchen table and when she says or does anything Id have blogged about I write it in there.  I already love going back and reread the jottings.  If you dont do this already I highly recommend it!

View the original article here