Motherhood & Words

I had a wonderful time at the book launch for Hot (Sweaty) Mamas on Saturday night. What could be better than helping friends (and a former student!) celebrate publication? But the next day I started coming down with strep throat, and between that and all my teaching and editing, I haven’t been able to post about the fact I actually have a copy of Hot (Sweaty) Mamas to give away. I received an additional copy from Andrews McMeel last week, so now I can share with one of you, my wonderful writerly motherly runnerly readers (and of course you need not be all three). 


So, please leave a comment below by Monday, April 18, and I’ll randomly pick a winner. In your comment, I’m interested on how you balance health and motherhood or health and life. Have you found something that works to get your “me” time?

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Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

16 Comments

  1. kate hopper on April 13, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Oh, and it's an autographed copy of the book!



  2. jenn on April 13, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    awesome giveaway!! I find "me" time by giving hubby "hubby" time… most of the time it works.



  3. Elizabeth on April 13, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    I would love this book — and for my comment I'll leave the statement that I have NOT figured out how to stay fit, get "Me" time and be a wonderful mother, so I really need to read the book!



  4. Emma on April 13, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Sounds like a great book! I rely a lot on my jogging stroller. Since I work outside the home, I also try to squeeze my workouts in at lunch.



  5. Ironmom (Julie) on April 13, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    My husband allows me a ton of "me" time to train. Thanks for the giveaway!



  6. Sara on April 13, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    I was struggling with me time and decided to make running a priority. Three times a week minimum. When I have to a take the jog stroller out, but I try to avoid it. I wanted to lose the baby weight, get back in shape, and just feel better—and it's working. Still don't feel like I have enough me time, but I love my runs.



  7. The Ikes of the North on April 14, 2011 at 5:42 am

    I would love a copy of this book, I actually started subscribing to your blog because of hot(sweaty) mamas' link on her blog. How do I stay fit and healthy? Aim for 30 minutes of activity each day. Run or walk or dvds. Nothing like a little inspiration (in book form) to help!



  8. Myrna CG Mibus on April 14, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    I've made some of my "me" time family time – my whole family gets out and rides bike together. A lot.

    I've also learned that "me" time doesn't have to be a long time to be beneficial. Even a six minute ride around my neighborhood does wonders for me.



  9. cath c on April 15, 2011 at 8:39 am

    If i'm honest, I haven't found a consistent optimal health balance solution. I go through periods where I exercise more and write less or write more and exercise less. maybe for me it's maintaining the longer waves of one in favor of the other and accepting the ebb and flow of it that works for me. However, it's spring, and I am gardening more, which is a decent workout.



  10. Kristin Nilsen on April 15, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    When my son was in preschool, I did an exercise swap with another mom. We would meet at one of our houses and take turns going for a 30 minute walk or run. The 30 minutes to myself more than made up for the 30 minutes of babysitting.



  11. kate hopper on April 15, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    I love these comments (and ideas)! Keep them coming!



  12. Chryselle on April 16, 2011 at 4:58 am

    With trying to balance a two year old and a writing career at the same time, I have not had time to incorporate fitness into my daily regime, unfortunately. I lose some calories chasing M around our long verandah or playing football with him. I plan to start running again when M starts preschool this June, but the monsoons will be in full swing, so let's see how that goes 🙂



  13. Sara B. on April 17, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    For me, it's running. I love the power and control it gives me… and the exhilaration and freedom I feel afterward. It's the perfect way to reclaim the energy that is sapped by demands of kids and parenting.

    Kate, you summed it up perfectly in your last post: "Motherhood made me a runner. And running made me a better mother." Simple as that!



  14. Sarah on April 17, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    I swear, my husband and I are in constant planning mode! We bring our son to our gym with us on the weekends (they have a childcare center there) so we can both work out. We plan when each of us will go to the gym during the week. We also plan out what kinds of meals we'll make each week so we aren't stuck in a pinch. It's a lot of work, but well worth it!



  15. kate hopper on April 25, 2011 at 9:12 am

    Sorry I'm late on this drawing. I just had one of my fine fellow coffee shop regulars pluck the name from a bowl, and it's Cath C! Cath, send me your address on facebook and I'll send you the autographed copy of Hot (Sweaty) Mamas! Thanks to all of you for your comments!



  16. cath c on April 25, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Wow! thank you! I really was just sharing what i go through trying to balance taking care of self, writing, and parenting. 🙂