Any moms of young children out there?

[singletrackmind]

Sneak out before the hubby leaves for work (4-4:30am).

Used the trailer when he was younger....tried to make the rides end with something fun for the kiddo. Alternate short and long rides, making sure he's stocked with treats, drinks, pillow, toys.

Now using a tandem. He's 4. Started out with short rides to the park. All rides end with a treat of some sort...playground, ice cream, whatever. He now does up to 50 on road and 27 on dirt. It's now much easier to ride on road and in group rides, though bike and kid total 80# so I'm not as fast as a single bike. It is faster than the trailer.

Sneak out after kid is in bed/hubby home.

Also hike with backpack for alternate excercise, and walk or ride for groceries/errands/library/parents as teachers classes/etc. (I'm a stay-at-home mom)

My sister is a single mom too, working, going to school, raising with her kid, whose father takes her part of every other weekend. She doesn't find much, but finds time to squeeze in excercise too. She amazes me.

It's a compromise but he's worth it.

[HoddyToddy]

I, too, asked this same question not too long ago.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=18242

Hope my thread link worked!

There were a lot of great posts and encouragement.
I'd agree with all the ladies' answers here already, especially Limewave's comment about not comparing yourself to other riders and just doing what you can.

I have a three year old and one on the way, a DH who is also very much into riding and inline speedskating, and I only have about 1500 miles in the last two years under my belt!
But I love it and just get out when I can. We use a trailer for #1 (who is almost too big for it) and DH and I just have to take turns. I wish he and I could ride more together (not that I can keep up, but that is another story )

Also, if you can afford it, think about hiring a babysitter for an hour or so a few days a week. I'm going to try that once #2 comes.

Good luck!

Jenny