How do you manage WLS with young children?

I am a single mother of a 2 year old boy.  My son's father is still with us but we don't live together yet so the home stuff is left up to me.  Cooking dinner, washing clothes, cleaning house, giving baths, reading books...all of that falls on me alone.  It is already difficult for me to pay any attention to myself.  I've honestly gone days without showering  because I don't have time (I do wash though :-)). 

I am in the early stages of pre-op.  I have my first consult with my surgeon tomorrow morning. I would like to hear from some other single parents or parents with multiple children...or hell, any parent that has given up all of the their time for their children.  How do you manage the workouts, the vitamin regimens, the support group meetings, the WLS success program with the responsibilities of your daily life?

C. Melissa

Well as for me I was single for 10 yrs. then got married 2 yrs ago. I thank GOD for my hubby but there are a lot of things that ONLY I can do. Trust me you will find more time for yourself after surgery. I honestly sat my kids down and explain to them how bad I wanted and needed to have this bypass to help me be more healthy and they understood. They now help me workout, they help me to remember about taking my meds. They are my biggest fans. (LOL)

The only exercise my 2 yr old is going to help me get is chasing after him...lol  I know I'll do what I've got to do but I was hoping for some tips on how other people do it.  Thanks for the encouragement!

I know what you mean, I'm a single parent also of a 2 yr old and 5 yr old and trust me it's not easy. I have to make time in the morinings at 5 am just to workout before my day begins with the kids. luckily i have my oldest sister and we share a house so she helps out a bit but it's hard. I found my mornings to myself before i go to work and get the kids out for school to excercise faithfully for a half hour on my treadmill and i even have time to do things such as put a load in the washer and have my coffee.

Maybe you have a family member or your childs father to help after the surgery to help for recovery. I don't know what i would do without my sister, even though thier dad is still around and comes to help out every now and then.

I'm going to be staying with my mom after surgery so I know I'll get that kind of help.  She's a nurse and I know she'll take care of me.  I always feel like I don't get enough sleep so the idea of getting up earlier for exercise hurts my feelings. 
 
I'm already leaning on family and my son's father alot to make it to all of these appointments that I have right now.  They are super supportive but I just wanted to ask how post-opers are managing their load after surgery

Thanks for the advice!!.

 The is a really good question. My son just turned 2 and I also watch my niece who is 2. My brother passed last Dec so I take care of my niece as much as I can and help SIL. There are times pre op that I have to tell my husband "look, watch the boys and J, I have to get a shower." There are also so many times that I shower in the middle of the night when I wake to use the bathroom, lol. I can get the other things in during the day cause I am a SAHM. 

I wish you the best of luck with get everything in.

I have a 2 and 4 year old...which at time of surgery were 1 and 3.  Work full time and married (though he is not much help).  I have included them on as much I can...double stroller and walks are our time.  I have found this to be the best time to spend with them. 

They help cook dinner and clean (within age limits).  We have dinner together and my 2 yr helps eat my dinner for me. 

I know that they never really understood what happened, but they do know that mommy has more energy to play with them.

You can do..manage family as a single parent and be successful at WLS.

I am single parent of seven year old twins (one boy and one girl).

I sat them down and explain to them that I am having surgery and why. When I was going thru pre-opt diet, they helped out and supported me when I ate a different meal than them. They are doing the same post op now. I have also gotten them more involved in the cooking and helping to do things. I like to DO IT ALL and the surgery is forcing me to involve them more in the cooking and cleaning. (Heck, my family said I should have been doing this a long time ago.

I will say I am trying to incorporate workouts now and I am finding the time (20 mins a day).

You got to make yourself first and it will have a positive impact on your whole family.

Good luck!

I am a married "single" parent (husband is deployed) for 4 kids (13, 8,7 and 2)....taking care of them is a juggling act.  My first week post-op my mom stayed with me to take care of the kids...once I was up and about I was on my own.

Eating.....early out wasn't too bad....I'd just cook for my kids and drink my shake....as far as excersize goes.....I walk on my lunch hour right now.....

I work full time, and my kids are either in daycare or school during the day.....so that makes it easier for me to manange me....I shower before they get up....I take my first rounds of meds/vits when I first get up..... drink my morning shake on my drive into work....eat my breakfast at my desk (oatmeal).....walk on my lunch......another shake on my way home from work.....dinner....now that I can eat...I feed my kids what I can eat...I just get smaller portions=)

My life pretty much revolves around my childrens schedules....so I make me fit into their routines....it's hard, but once you get in a rythm....not so bad.

VERY good question.  I'm hoping to have surgery within the next couple of months and  I have a 15 year old.  I do it ALL and it's hard enough already.  There's no way I'm gonna make a weight lifting restriction for an entire month, so I'll just have to pray about it.