I live for finding creative solutions to challenges.  I’m a “think outside the box” kind of mom with a frequently weird strange different …..unorthodox (yep, that’s the word) approach to things.  Of course MY version of creativity isn’t always met with appreciation.

Take physical education.  I hate it.  Have hated it since I was forced into wearing a horrid one piece stretchy green/white outfit (with my initials embroidered on the shorts) for gym class. They were NOT intended for “big girls” – meaning anyone larger than a size 6.   I don’t DO “exercise”.  Sports are great – - – when watched from the comfort of my sofa, remote in one hand, bowl of chips in the other.

But I’m a homeschooling mama.  I am responsible for the PHYSICAL education of my child as well as the book learning.  (Why I didn’t think of this BEFORE I started homeschooling is beyond me – it might have been a deal breaker.)  I have  to teach my child the benefits of physical activity.

This was all fine and dandy when she was young enough to drag to a playground and let her loose with other screaming toddlers/little kids to run and play while I sipped iced coffee and flipped through a magazine (hey, I deserve a little down time). Now that she’s older, the lure of the playground is not as strong – especially when there are few – - -okay NO – - children her age playing there during the day in the middle of the week.  So Mom is recruited to fill the void….and well, I’m too old and lazy to run the bases, chase the soccer ball, jog beside the bike, etc. It’s a sad truth.

What are the solutions?  Well, I can pay for some type of class (karate, ballet, swim lessons) or enroll (read: pay) for local sports teams and schlep to Saturday morning soccer, t-ball, hockey practice and games.  You realize that we’re a ONE INCOME family right?  The expense for these classes is frequently a line item veto in our household budget.  What’s a mom to do?

Grandma to the rescue!  Who’d have thought that my own 72 year old mother would (unwittingly) come up with the solution?!  Her unexpected (and at the outset under appreciated) Christmas gift of WII has been my saving grace.

Yes, WII.  It is the “NEW” Phy Ed class in our house!

The kiddo gets to play baseball and soccer, go bowling and play tennis. She boxes and takes step and cycles and jogs.  And I didn’t break a sweat teaching!  She’s had to learn about BMI and calorie burning, deep breathing and stretching – and I didn’t break a book teaching.  She’s got everything she needs to take “phys ed” daily (which is more than most school systems provide).  I don’t have to schlep to morning practices or games, organize can drives or bake sales.  Am I loving this or what??

(Before anyone gets their panties in a bunch, trust me, this kid gets PLENTY of outside time at parks and playgrounds with friends routinely. She is FAR from deprived.)

So WII is the new Gym Teacher in our home.  It doesn’t require you to wear white tube socks (no colored stripes allowed), rubber soled sneakers and the standard school issue gym uniform.  Heck it doesn’t care if you’re doing hula hoop in your pajamas!  Sure, it doesn’t take the place of fresh outside air, but folks, it’s January in the northeast; NO ONE wants fresh outside air right now!

There is, however, one unexpected (but not unwelcome) side affect of the WII – I want to use it too!