How big an asshole does this make me, exactly?

Question for the parents:

I’ve been trying to re-jigger my exercise routine so that it’s a routine and not, I dunno, some happenstance event like finding a twenty in the street. I’m okay enough with how I look, but I don’t feel great, so I’d like to work on that. I’ve discovered that my running stride is too bouncy to effectively push the jogging stroller forward without over-using my shoulders, so I’ve settled on five-mile walks, which let me work on my posture.

It took a long time to figure out how to incorporate Seamus into the walk once he started trying to ditch his nap. He fights getting into/being in the stroller if he’d rather walk, but the truth is that if he’s walking, Im not exercising, I’m walking with a toddler who still requires constant supervision and re-direction. I do those walks too, but not as my workout. Which I really need in order to not grey-out like I have been, or to keep my crankiness in check.

I’ve discovered that if I put Seamus into his stroller at mid-day, hand him his lunch, and go for a five-mile walk, he eats well then has a nap/quiet time, and I get some exercise. But he’s eating a meal alone, essentially, and I’m wondering how much of an impact this has. All breakfasts and dinners are family meals, and I’m a much more patient person when I’ve gotten my time to do something that is mostly for me now, but he could join me in walking when he is older and undertands that this is not a walk for exploring every single driveway on every single block.

I’m torn between thinking that this has benefits for us both, and that it’s a total dick parenting technique. Enlighten me please.

Comments

[Jason]

So...let me get this straight. He get to eat while sitting in his stroller being wheeled around one of the most beautiful cities in the country if not the world, probably as often as not in one of the prettiest, largest parks in the world, and you're worried that's a bad thing?

I get it, you're worried that he doesn't get mama time while you're walking, so you're worried that that's a bad thing. But you've already worked out the cost/benefit analysis:

With walk = happier, more patient, more healthy mama
Without walk = a third meal a day with a (generally) less relaxed, grouchier mama.

Seems like a no-brainer to me :)

Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if he likes the walks too...

[joy]

This seems like a family-response (!) I agree with Jason about Seamus--and as long as you talk with him as you walk, which I know you do, then what's the harm? You're still having lunch together--you're just not eating! I only disagree with Jason about SF being the prettiest city in the country or the world--not in the last 20 years, I would say!

Relax-you are a fabulous mommy, Seamus gets a ton of fresh air (well, city air anyway) and brain-teasing. Don't feel guilty because you want to do something good for yourself along the way--too many of us have gotten wayyyyy too much shit for that already!

[Sarah]

Thanks you guys. I've been trying to shake off some bad mama vibes - we had an ER visit in the last couple of weeks which brought them on. He's fine, no lasting harm, but it happened while my back was turned and blah blah de mindfuck blah blah.

It did go absurdly well yesterday.