I Chose a Swanky Gym Over Preschool

School is back in full swing here in TN and since I have a 4.5 year old people are constantly asking me, "Where are you sending Corban to preschool?"  Um...I'm not.  That's right, I'm not sending my kid who starts kindergarten in 2015 to preschool and I'm not even homeschooling him.  And you know what?  I don't feel guilty about it.  In February of this year I made the decision to pull him out of his 2 day program.  He loved it and I'm sure he was learning stuff but when he was sick for a day or we were out of town, I still had to pay and that hurt.  I hate throwing away money and at $30/day it wasn't just pocket change.  One of the big reasons I pulled him out was because I desperately wanted and needed a gym membership.  Not just any gym membership but a top of the line, feels like a spa, has it all gym membership.  It just wasn't really in the budget to do both preschool and the gym.  So I chose the gym.  Yes, I realize this could be seen as a selfish move but I think it was the best thing for our family and here's why:

-I truly believe this membership has helped me combat a second round of anxiety disorders.  After I weaned Corban in 2010, my hormones went crazy and so did I.  I was terrified the same thing would happen when I weaned Sage in April and I really believe that being active and getting out of the house daily has kept me from becoming another mess.

-This gym has a rock climbing wall which has allowed our family to do something we didn't normally get to do.  My kids love climbing and Jacob and I love our climbing "dates".

-The gym has a Kids Academy where Corban takes classes while I am in classes.  Today he did a school skills class and gymnastics.  Sage even got to practice tumbling and painting this week.  Some days he does sports classes or karate.

-I get a little break from the kiddos.  I love my kids but momma needs just a little time to herself.  Let's face it, a majority of parents send their kids to PDO or preschool to have a break, not because they really think their kids need it.  I'd rather just have that break while I exercise (or sit in the sauna - not that I've done that...yet).

So why am I telling you this?  I'm not trying to justify my decision (I know it was the right one) but rather I want to encourage other moms out there and let you know that it is ok to do something for yourself, even if it seems a little unconventional.  In the big picture of Corban's life, he's going to remember having a happy, healthy momma a lot longer than the cute preschool graduation ceremony he participated in.  So moms - if you are struggling with a choice between you or your kids - pick yourself every once in a while, it may be just what your kid really needs.

I'd love to hear some other examples...what have you done for yourself lately that turned out to benefit your kids?