Run With Your Kid: You May Learn Something

Today was my first run back.  I was allowed to do 1 18 minute mile.  I took my 4 year old Paddy out with me.  We had had a rough day, I figured we could use some alone time.  Plus, he's been itchin' to do a mommy run since he signed up for the Healthy Kids Running Series.

We started out slow, steady, and pretty quiet.  I asked him about his day and his friends.  At first he just said "fine" and "ok".  But after we passed the quarter mile mark, he started to open up.  Maybe he was just tired of my questions.  He told me about a friend he has that doesn't have anyone to play with, so he always plays with him even though he doesn't like the games.  I have to admit, I was impressed.  I had no idea my loud, obnoxious, 4 year old, who laughs about butts and boogers, was so intuitive and sensitive.  Around 3 quarters of a mile, he asked me why I was so angry and yelled a lot (boy, did that feel bad).  I told him that when he doesn't listen, I feel like yelling is the only way to get his attention.  I explained that when I ask him to do something 3 or 4 times and don't get a response it makes me very angry because I feel ignored and disrespected.  He said that he wanted to do his own thing and sometimes I should let him.  He may be right, but he's also only 4.  We came to the realization that when he doesn't listen it hurts my feelings, and when I yell it hurts his.  And we're both going to try to do better.

Oh and we ended up doing 1.25 in 20:30...I may have gone a little further and a little faster that advised, but it was worth it.