This is Jake’s third summer as a swimmer; Sam learned how to swim last summer. They had a wonderful teacher (Susan at JCC) and they both love time at the pool. For me, as a mom, there is no price to be put on the fact that I no longer need to tug them around in the water and I can feel OK if my eyes are off of them for more than five seconds while the life guards watch them. My question this summer is whether or not I should pay for the swim lessons they still want.

I know part of the reason they still want them is that they love Susan. She is a kindergarten teacher and her personality was a great fit for the boys. They never once complained about having to get up for lessons. I also know there is still a lot she can teach them. They can only get stronger and better, but that would come at a price and they don’t really NEED it..we all WANT it.

I still don’t know what I will do about signing up. The first session is already decided for us since it conflicts with tennis lessons, but after that…I will have to decide if it would be worth the cost. I suppose it is like so much else in life…you reach one goal and as soon as you get there….you start to look for a new one. They already learned how to swim…that was ALL I wanted….at least I thought it was.

Did your tweens take swim lessons after they learned to swim? What about swim team? A better option?

It seems spring may finally be here (I know…I may have spoken too soon,) but I am a positive thinker!

If we really can count on warmer (and very soon longer, too) days, we should also count on doing all we can to get our kids outside and moving! With two boys and working in a school, I see what too much time cooped up inside can do to a child and it is not pretty. All that energy inside needs to go somewhere and I don’t know about you, but I would rather it be directed at a soccer ball or bike than my living room lamp or our Xbox.

Don’t get me wrong…..I think video games have a time and place (like very long car rides) and my kids do know how to play inside without breaking things, but I don’t want them to fall in love with being inside the four walls of our home. I want them to enjoy playing outside. I want them to meet kids down the street and play cops and bad guys. I want them to yell, get dirty and really, really tired (all this makes for easy bed times, too!)

I see too many kids today with their heads buried in the Nintendo DS or tired after running one lap around the playground. It is up to parents to push those kids outside. Don’t give them the option to stay in. Get out there with them, go on a bike ride or take a walk with the dog. It is up to parents to set the example and with spring and summer on their way, it is time to show our children how much fun it can be to get out and live a little in this world, and not just the one created by their games and TV.

Any ideas for ways to get kids to want to go outside and play? What are some of your favorite outdoor activities?

I’ve often complained about the bad winter weather and how it’s affected Mini’s weight (along with mine). Well, we’re on the way to making some more changes to our lifestyle that will negate the weather excuse for not exercising.

AM and I recently acquired a Nintendo Wii with the EA-Sports Active software. We’ll be getting a Wii Fit, soon, too.

The Active software uses the Wii controllers to detect the user’s movement and leads the user through an exercise regimen. AM has used it several times and worked up quite the sweat and has felt the “burn” for a few days after each use.

I’m going to get Mini to use Active, along with AM and myself, to exercise when she’s here. The fact that it’s a game makes it more attractive to Mini and makes her want to do it. And it’s an interactive video game, so what kid doesn’t like that? I’m hoping it’ll make her forget that she’s exercising and instead focus on the gaming bit. Plus, it looks really fun!

Once the weather warms up, we’ll transition the gaming to outdoors, minus the Wii, and introduce Mini to an outside exercise regimen.

Along with smarter food choices, which we’ve been teaching and making along the way, and the exercising, we’re hoping this will lead Mini to gaining a well-rounded understanding of being healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

How do you keep your tween active in the cold,wet winter months? Leave your ideas, suggestions and questions in the comments.