When you adopt or foster children, they will likely need some extra TLC, meaning your own life may be pushed to the side. So, how can you find time to exercise during this new chapter? Find out here!

There’s no doubt that when you foster or adopt a child, your life will be incredibly different than what you once knew. Children are a big commitment, especially when it comes to foster and adopted children, who may require a bit of extra attention. After all, not only might their backgrounds be difficult, there are plenty of legalities that come with their care.

It’s imperative for parents to have a break from their children occasionally, and there is nothing wrong with that. We all need space to focus on ourselves, especially when little ones have no consideration for our personal space. This is where finding time to exercise can come in really handy.

As a parent, having an exercise routine can be hard to crack, especially when each day is spent looking after children. So, in this article, we’re going to provide some tips for exercising whilst still taking good care of your new family additions. From trying child-friendly exercises, to relying on child law solicitors to guide you through the practical side of things, let’s take a closer look…

Hit The Gym When They’re Asleep

The easiest way to schedule in time for exercise would be to hit the gym whilst your adopted or foster children are sleeping. However, this will require having someone providing care for them whilst you are gone. This could be a partner who is happy to stay at home or a trusted and approved babysitter.

You could choose to do this a couple of times a week. It’s certainly an ideal time if your days are full of other activities with your children.

Make Care Arrangements

If you are unable to exercise because of the care duties that you have for your children, you could choose to make care arrangements so that you can have the time to exercise.

Some foster or adopted children come from unsettling backgrounds. So, it is important to consider the impact making care arrangements may have on them, especially if you or your partner are the only people that they are comfortable with or have placed their trust in.

There are also certain babysitting guidelines that need to be followed when you are fostering a child for obvious safety reasons. Leaving them occasionally with a trusted person, such as family or close friend, is okay to do. But if you plan to leave them with a child sitter on a frequent basis, you will need to agree on this with their social worker, so appropriate checks can be made, including an assessment and a DBS check on the child sitter.

Exercise Whilst They’re with Their Other Parent

If you and your child’s other parent have separated and have dual custody, then finding time to exercise could be much easier than if you have full custody or are still living together. You will have the time to focus on exercising whilst they are in their care. The same goes for if you are still together; one of you can stay home with the child whilst the other gets some space.

Please be aware that if you have fostered children and you go through a separation, there is the possibility that your children might be removed from your care. This is because local care authorities usually favour foster parents who are together, although this is looked at at a case-by-case basis.

Plan Fun Child Friendly Exercises That You Can Do with Them

Sometimes, finding other arrangements for your children can be hard or impossible. This could be due to you not being able to find anyone to help, or you might not want to leave them with anyone else, especially if they have trust issues due to their past.

If you are set on the idea of exercising, why not incorporate your children into the exercises? Plan something fun that you can all do together. A bonus is that it will wear them out, meaning that you might get an extra hour in the evening to watch TV. You may even be lucky enough to have a lay-in depending on how zonked out they are.

Find a Good Child Law Solicitor to Help with the Practical Side of Things

The legalities between adoptive and foster children are different. When a child is adopted, you will legally be considered their parent, as all parental responsibilities are transferred over to you and your partner. This means you are in charge of any decisions.

When you foster children, you are not their legal guardian, only their temporary guardian. But it is sometimes easy to forget that if they have been in your care for some time and you consider them as a child of your own. There is still the chance that foster children can be removed from your care if you do not correctly follow the legalities.

Looking after yourself and your new child will be your priority. So, when it comes to the practical side of things, finding a good solicitor to help will take the weight off your shoulders.

They will be knowledgeable in the fostering and adoption area, having previously worked with clients who need the same level of support. This will give you more time to yourself, so you shouldn’t have to lift a finger on the legal side of things.

Ensure You Find Time to Exercise for Yourself

We understand that it might be tough to leave your adopted or foster children, even if it is for a brief hour. But, it is certainly important that you don’t forget to tend to your own personal needs.

If your partner, family member or close family friend is available to assist, don’t pass on the offer. Alternatively, consider some of our other tips to help.

If you have any more tips regarding finding time for yourself to exercise during this new chapter, be sure to leave them in the comments below.