It’s Q&A time my friends! ย I’ve done this once before, and today I’m happy to be answering questions from Christy at Uplifting Families. ย Check out Christy’s blogย for the questions I asked her, and of course, follow anyone and everyone though this question game we like to play on Fridays. ย Unless you hate having fun on Friday…
This is Christy
and these are the questions Christy asked me:ย
1. How do you find time to train and raise your children?
I basically let them raise themselves, Lord of the Flies style. ย Kidding! ย I won’t say how hard it is because I don’t have a full-time job. ย Yes, raising them isย a full-time job but, I don’t have a boss hovering over my shoulder, making sure I’m putting in my 40 hour work week. ย The bottom line is I make training aย priority over laundry, cleaning and making dinner, because I can. ย I’ve also trained before the sun comes up while they’re still sleeping, or (most often) when they’re at school three days a week. ย I also take full advantage of my YMCA daycare and I’ve been known to ask family to watch them so I can run or bike or both! ย It takes a village.
Have fun boys!
2. I love your post ย10 Things All Twin Momยs Knowย. I have fraternal twinย sisters and people always ask how they can be twins if they donยt lookย alike. What is advice do you have for momยs who just found out that theyย are expecting twins?
Ask for help! ย Seriously. ย I found that it was easiest to care for them (especially in the newborn stage) if you outnumber them. ย You need two people, to each hold a baby and another to run interference. ย I would also say to get ready to be blown away by what an amazing opportunity you have been given. ย Twins are special, and I’m lucky to be here to watch mine as they grow!
3. I have seen a ton of controversy over parents using leashes on theirย kids. I remember when my twin sisters were old enough to walk they wouldย both take off in opposite directions. The leashes were a must have if youย wanted to get anything accomplished without them running off. Do you useย leashes for your twins? If not, why?
It’s funny you’re asking this because it’s definitely one of those things I didn’t understand before I became a parent! ย I was so judgy about the leashes! ย I thought it was horrible for a parent to do it, and showed they’re incompetence to be able to keep track of their own children. ย What a fool! ย Although I have never used leashes on the twins, they could certainly use them! ย Now, when I see parents with them, I just smile and think “I get it.”
Worn by someone with zero children.
4. I remember when I was growing up that my parents let me play outsideย unattended with my friend as long as I told her where I was going. I neverย let my kids go outside unattended, do you allow your children to playย outside by themselves? If they are still too young, will you let them playย outside when they are older by themselves?
I actually just wrote a post about this very issue. ย I’ve been giving them a little more freedom outside now, but they’re only five and I think that’s too young to be completely alone. ย They would probably end up hurt or hurting someone(thing) else! ย As they get older I will definitely let them playย unattended. ย I think it’s important for them to become responsible and to learn some lessons without mommy peering over their shoulder. ย I’m also prepared for an emergency room visit at a moment’s notice!
5. If someone wanted to start training for a triathlon, what advice wouldย you give them?
Go for it! ย Work on your weakest link, even though it’s not as fun and, since it’s your first one, itย will definitely be a personal best, no matter what time you cross that finish line!
6. What is your go to meal when you are busy and have to get the familyย fed before bedtime?
Pasta! ย Whole wheat of course, withย roasted veggies or shrimp. My boys love pasta and they devour peppers and/or carrots too. ย It’s something everyone can have and, as an added bonus, there are usually leftovers for the next day. ย Let’s face it, most days I’m scrambling to get dinner done! ย See #1
7. What is your favorite snack?
That is tough because I love to eat and I snack all.day.long. ย My favorite right now are these whole wheat fig bars that are homemade from a local natal grocery store near me. ย They have free wi-fii so I hang out there, blog and eat fig bars.
Come to mama!
8. Do you encourage your kids to being active?
If they needed any encouragement, I would certainly provide it. ย I have to actively discourage them from being active. ย If anyone has tips on that, please let me know!
9. If you won a $500 shopping spree and you could only spend it onย yourself, where would you go shopping and what would you buy?
I would shop for someone who would get my kids dressed in the morning, just one time. ย I would actually pay someone at least $1,000 to do it. ย The ideal candidate would have experience wrangling monkeys from trees and outfitting them in a three-piece suit, after they’ve been injected with adrenaline. ย That scratches the surface of what my kids act like when getting dressed.
10. What is your favorite ยmeย time activity?
Aside from running and biking? Sitting on my back deckย in the morning, with a steaming cup of coffee, and enjoying the quiet. ย Perfection.
Answer any of the questions above or comment on my answers. ย Go ahead – I can take it!
haha yes advice on discouraging so much activity at this point would be helpful!!!
Wait until you have TWO! ๐
I love this! I thought leashes for kids was the most horrible thing…until I became a parent of twins that only know one speed. I’ve never used them but I’m very, very tempted!
Right? When the boys were little, I could only go to enclosed places with them by myself. It was pretty limiting!
Even though my girls aren’t twins having had them only 16 months apart and so close in age, I totally agree that moms of twins or even with kids this close in age, do need help and you are never be too proud to ask for help, because it is something we do very much need and I thank god each every day for all the support and help I received with my girls, too!! ๐
It was very hard for me to admit that I needed help but, it was for the safety of the boys and sanity of their mom! Now I ask for help all the time!!
If you find a candidate for your wardrobe project, please let me know! Experience wrangling adrenaline-injected monkeys would be really helpful in my house too!
I got an offer from someone at the gym today ๐ I’ll let you know if she’s willing to travel! Ha ha ha – thanks Nicole!!
Love this Allie ๐ I think I will be asking you for some Tri advice down the road, as I look to go there eventually! You are a superstar with all you are able to fit in! Keep up the good work ๐
That’s a high compliment coming from you – thank you!! Anything I could help you with in the TRI I would be more then happy to do. I’m sure you would dominate any race you entered! They never see the runners coming…:-)
I definitely understood the leashes too after having kids. ๐ And getting dressed- such a chore! Even with a relatively calm daughter- with her it’s not so much the wrangling, it’s getting her to decide on an outfit!
I’ve heard that from moms of girls and that is my one saving grace! The biggest issue is to get them to stop playing with one another and focus!!!
He, he–number 9. That’s awesome! And love that your kids are active naturally. I think most kids are unless parents have handed them devices from a very young age and they don’t have incentive to get out. Not that I see this with my nephew or anything (it’s so sad).
Have a great weekend!
I know you are very strict about screen time and I’m right there with you. I definitely give them LeapPads and use of my iPad, but only when I really need to do something. It’s scary how quickly they become obsessed with games and YouTube!!
Those whole wheat fig bars look amazing! I always thought Fig Newtons were at least onto something, but…chemical-laced, I would imagine!
Having spent a day with your twins yesterday, I am laughing at many of your answers. They were really wonderful with Scarlet – it was Des who scared the dickens out of me.
Scarlet would be happy to help them get dressed. She’s an ambassador for that in my house. She picks out her clothes, and Des’ clothes and mine.
And that’s my excuse for why I looked how I did yesterday.
Is there nothing that child cannot do? She’s the finder of dinosaurs, excels at hide-and-seek and now this? Clearly I need to have her spend a week at my house! And, you looked absolutely comfortable yesterday and I loved the Hurley ๐
I love it! I would love to know more of #6 because I am always scratching my head with what to eat for max performance. The leash thing is an awesome idea. My oldest could definitely have used it!
I eat a lot of protein. My favs right now are fish for most of my dinners (with veggies!) and for lunch I either make a smoothie with natural peanut butter, greek yogurt, almond milk and lots of fruit! I also saw on Jess’ blog Blonde Ponytail, a lunch idea for avocado and cottage cheese on toast! YUM!!!
Can I just tell you how much I loved this?! I think you and I have the same parenting style! I give my kids a fair amount of freedom (of course mine are older) and basically they have it till they screw up. So far, nothing major. In fact, honestly I think they have screwed up less than I (or my husband) did at the same age. I can’t speak for hubby, but I was on a very short leash.
That is just awesome Michelle! I can say that I was on a very short leash and it absolutely backfired. I believe in giving them room to make mistakes, and then giving them the tools to correct them and learn. Good to know it’s working for you!
Allie the way you talk about your kids it seems like they never stop moving! Are you planning on enrolling them in sports? They’ll probably be so good at it!
I just watched a hilarious Modern Family episode where they have the girl on a leash. I mean, would rather have the kid on a leash or have them run away. That’s how I see it!
They never stop moving or talking! They are in soccer and gymnastics right now and love both. My dream is for them to find a sport they love and then give it 110%!
I think I saw that episode with Lilly at Disney? Too funny!
Oh the leash! I get it, I almost wanted one until my sister say “No freaking way!” but I had three under 2 – I didn’t know how I was going to manage. Suffice it to say I don’t remember the day we hired our nanny/mommas helper but I know the day she quit. I couldn’t have done anything without a lot of help.
I need to know what kind of whole wheat pasta you use – I hate it and so does my family, but I’m willing to keep trying.
Have a great weekend Allie!
It’s so funny that the leash is so controversial ๐ And I love that you know the day your nanny quit! I definitely know the day my aunt hurt her back and wasn’t able to take care of the boys anymore. It was a dark, dark day.
I’ve used a few different brands of whole wheat pasta because some of them are just yuck! I settled on Barilla because it’s the only one my husband will eat. Let me know if you try it, or already have. Good luck!
Love this! Hilarious! Thanks for posting.
I will dress your boys for free if you deal with Ashlyn’s 7:00am, “I don’t want to get up yet, don’t take me to the sitters” mood swings! Did I mention she likes to sleep until 8:30?? I haven’t been to work on time in 30 months!
As I see it, you would probably get less stares if the child was on a leash then if they knocked down an old person, or a big store display. It’s for your own safety, people! LOL
Maybe our next $1M idea is the “I support leashes” tshirt…
I will definitely swap children with you. I WISH mine would sleep past 6…at least on the weekends!
I completely agree about the leashes vs annoying/hurting people. Brilliant!
Woman, I love your stance on Question #1. Never regret taking care of self!
I would lurrrves to be asking you the questions one day here on your blog. Holla at me if I can play along! ๐
HOLLLAAAAA!!!! I would love to do this with you!
THE LEASHES!! I was SUCH a judge. I couldn’t BELIEVE these parents with so much gall to but a bunny on the back of their kids and hold on tight to a string. I used to think “OMG, seriously?! just tell your kid to stay next you, it certainly can’t be that HARD!!”
Then I had one boy, then another. And now my tail is tucked between my legs. I almost got one for our disney trip a few years ago until I realized we were going to get a double stroller…I completely get it now!!
I want some of those figs ๐
Love that you are doing ask away friday!! Its one of my favorite ways to learn about my favorite bloggers ๐
I did the same thing with the leashes! It’s amazing all the growing and learning one does when one has spawn.
Maybe I’ll bring a bag of figs to Healthy U ๐
My kids were older when the leashes became popular and I was all judgey about it. I must have had some sort of mental block…you know like when people say that you’ll forget the pain of labor. Then I had grandchildren. I call Jessi “the wanderer”, she’s in her own little world and if you turn away for even a second she’s nowhere to be found. Now I’m like “okay, who has Jessi’s leash?” because I so can’t take her anywhere without it.
I think you have to block out certain things as your kids grow. Your brain can’t hold onto all that trauma!
I love that you call her “the wanderer!” Perfect name and definitely needs a leash ๐
What a great swap! So wonderful to get to know you. The leash question made me laugh, though I never had to use one, because there was enough of an age gap between my three that there was really no need. Those fig bars look absolutely wonderful, I grew up on fig newtons, my great grandma always had them in stock. Now that mine are at the tween/teen stage, I don’t mind them going outside by themselves…but my biggest worry is not really them but the weirdos of the world, which makes me just a bit clingy even at their ages. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks Stacey! This is absolutely a great way to get to know other bloggers.
I’m here to sign up for the $1000 to help with dressing those adorable twins? This was such a great AAF; it was nice to learn more about you.
I understand why people may leash their children, but I’d rather not.
Those fig bars look delish!!!
XOXO
It’s funny how many offers I’ve had ๐ I would love to see how many people actually would come back after one time!
Thanks!!
Those fig bars look yummy! I remember trying to get my kids dressed when they were little – I can only imagine how challenging two at once must be.
They are soooo good!
It’s ridiculous how hard it is. I’ve tried locking one out of the room, bribing and a host of others things and nothing seems to make it bearable. Thank God they put on whatever I put out for them!
This is my first time visiting your blog – it’s great! Can’t wait to read more posts.
Welcome! Thanks so much.
Pasta is my go-to dinner dish too!
And good advice about twins ๐
Question #1 – So important to take care of oneself, even if working, and especially with kids. I think it makes us a better person and I think it sets a great example for our children.
Love your answers to 8 & 9 !
My me time is Saturday morning, with coffee, reading the paper before anyone gets up or the city starts waking up. Pure, un-interrupted me time… Heaven.
I’m glad to hear we have the same idea of heaven. I’m thinking if I were in France it would be that much more heavenly…not to mention the quality of the coffee ๐ Thanks Karen!
I love that your boys are active naturally – as they get older that will turn out to be a really great thing!!
And, pasta is about the best dinner ever – busy or not!!!
Carb load, right Kim? HA HA! Yes, as much as I complain about all the activity – I would absolutely rather them be active.
Good evening, Vita! It’s Courtney from The Brown Girl with Long Hair blog…
There is SO much I want to comment on, here, that I don’t even know where to begin…
For starters, the following comment not only made me laugh, but made me realize that we share the same quirky sense of humor: “I basically let them raise themselves, Lord of the Flies style.”
Secondly, my mother is a fraternal twin, and this post was published on her (and her twin’s) birthday. My grandmother, in fact, had two sets of fraternal twins TEN MONTHS apart. What I wouldn’t give to pick that woman’s brain to glean all of her wisdom, but I digress…
Lastly, my husband is positively obsessed with Fig Newtons.
Oh, and one more thing: I used to run track — I began at age 8; long jump and sprints. I was an only child (read: The son my dad never had), and my father was a sprinter who held the 60 yd record at the University of Michigan for over 30 years.)
I’ll just stop there. I love you blog and am on my way over to give you a “like” on FB…
xo
Hi there!! I’ll just start with OMG TWO sets of twins, 10 months apart? She must have been one amazing woman!!
I’m so glad we found each other out here, as it seems we have a TON in common! Thank you for reading, commenting and the FB love. I’m curious to see in just how many more ways we’re alike ๐