We all know how hard it can be to make sure your little ones are getting enough physical activity – especially when you’re exhausted yourself and just want to collapse on the couch after a long day! One CBeebies dad has taken up the challenge to get his family more active in day-to-day life and we caught up with him to find out how they've been doing it…
My name is Tom and I'm the proud dad of two little boys called Dylan and Xander. They're four and three respectively, so we're all big CBeebies fans and it's an honour to be writing a guest post on here.
Lifestyles have changed so much since I was the age my sons are now and it's scary how much they know about technology already. While they're picking up important skills that will help them in later life, I do worry about the amount of time they're capable of spending on the tablet and in front of the TV – CBeebies shows and apps excluded, of course! There are so many health conditions that can be caused by not getting enough exercise and the idea of them not having long, healthy lives fills me with dread, so we – my wife, Kate, and I – have been trying to encourage an active lifestyle from day one.
We don't have a car, so have to walk everywhere which is a great start! The boys cover a mile a day at the very least on the walk to and from school and pre-school and we often spend a couple of hours out and about on Saturdays. After a while, Xander often gets bored – not tired; he never is! – and refuses to take another step. This can be a struggle if I’m carrying shopping too as he’s a big, strong lad, but the exercise outweighs the odd meltdown and lower back pain.
It’s not always easy though. For example, we've started taking them swimming every week. Dylan has always been less adventurous and took a lot of persuading to get in the water – and he still refuses to have a shower first – but, like a Furchester, we never give up and they both enjoy it now. This can be hard work too – particularly if I have to get Xander changed, which is exercise in itself...
He constantly tries to open the door while I’m not decent before the swim and can also be relied upon to drop my socks and pants into puddles of chlorine afterwards – all on purpose, of course! To be honest, swimming is the last thing I want to do on a Sunday morning; I don’t really enjoy it and would much rather have a lie-in, but it’s important that they learn and we feel good about taking them afterwards.
So they're now getting regular exercise and that can only be a good thing. As a keen football fan, I've also been attempting to get Dylan and Xander interested in the beautiful game since before they could even walk. It's a challenge, but I'm also a lifelong Spurs fan so am an eternal optimist.
The funny thing is that they don't seem to differentiate between the football I play and the matches I watch on TV; they seem to think that I play for Spurs. Xander recently asked me upon my return from my weekly game how many goals Harry Kane had scored. I *may* not have got round to explaining that I'm too old and not nearly good enough to play in the Premier League...
So what of our progress? They both demonstrated a prowess with dribbling skills early on – sadly this was a result of teething rather than with a ball. Now they're both well and truly upwardly mobile though, I've been trying to teach them a few basic skills and they seem to be getting the idea and, more importantly, doing so with smiles on their faces. When Dylan first kicked a ball, he did so with all the poise and grace of Mr Tumble, but he's got a good aim and powerful kick now. Similarly, Xander is getting good with the ball at his feet – though, given the fact that he's a force of nature who has been able to rugby tackle me since he was one, I think he may end up preferring a different-shaped ball.
My Dad – who is 65 – still plays five-a-side with me every week and I'd love to think that we can enjoy the same shared experience. By getting exercise together now, I hope we're giving that the best possible chance.
How do you try to keep active as a family? the chat with other parents on the CBeebies Grown-ups Facebook and Twitter communities.
Find out more:
Swimming with babies and toddlers
BBC Get Inspired
Sports for children with disabilities
