Fitness or Family Time?

We all agree that exercising is important from a health standpoint. It not only keeps you fit, but also reduces stress. Studies conclude it raises serotonin levels and makes you happier. This is particularly important with moms who desperately need time for themselves, without the kids.

Nowadays, there are many fitness facilities that offer babysitting services.  Sounds simple: Leave the kids with the sitter and go get fit. For a mother, though, doing so is not quite so easy. Mom guilt can rear its head.

Just yesterday, when I dropped my children off at  the day care site, it was so overwhelmingly crowded and the sitters were completely outnumbered by the kids. It was a chaotic scene, to say the least.  It made me wonder: If my 2 1/2-year-old choked on a toy, would there be someone able to rescue him in time? What if my 4-year-old fell and no one noticed because of the huge number of children?

Which leads to today's question: Are we being irresponsible and selfish when we use these kind of services rather than exercising with our kids (as many parenting magazines suggest)? Or should we maintain the philosophy that kids are kids and accidents will happen in any event, and keep going to the gym?

Question posted on behalf of Eugenia Mota-Magestro.