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Before I was pregnant I was one of the healthiest people I knew. I ate right and exercised. I thought I'd be a really healthy pregnant person too. Boy, was I wrong. I inhaled family size bags of potato chips in seconds, scarfed down doughnuts (which I normally don't like), and I had to have McDonald's French Fries (they were the only thing that would stop the nausea—seriously). I was too sick and too tired to exercise so there went any illusions I had of doing prenatal yoga and continuing my daily run right up until my due date. Unfortunately, my lazy, gluttonous behavior during pregnancy has ruined my daughter's chances of success in life. How so?
Richard Nisbett, a psychologist and author of the new book Intelligence and How to Get It says, "Children whose mothers exercised 30 minutes a day scored around eight points higher on standard IQ tests than children whose mothers were more sedentary.” While previous generations of mothers were told to avoid exercise after the trimester, the latest research suggests that using light weights, stretching, and even running can be good for moms—and their babies. "Exercising large muscle groups increases the growth of neurons and adds to the blood supply of the brain," says Nisbett.
That sounds reasonable. But since I didn't lift a finger never mind a leg while I was pregnant, my daughter's IQ is sure to be stunted. Hence, her miserable failure of a life begins. Of course, that's if you agree with what Nisbett says.
He also argues that moms have more control and responsibility over their baby's intelligence than dads do (he's a father of two), and should create "educationally rich" atmospheres at home for their children—especially during summer vacations. Way to put the pressure on, doc. Nisbett speaks highly of a private school chain called Kipp (Knowledge is Power), which trains poor urban children and their mothers to study 12 hours a day. Twelve hours? If I had 12 extra hours in my day, I'd probably spend them eating doughnuts—and French fries.
Enter Ayelet Waldman author of Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities and Occasional Moments of Grace (she's famous for creating a "stir" a few years ago when she said that she loved her husband more than her three kids). Waldman says that mothers are already under too much pressure. “Little you do to your kids damages them for ever,” she says. "Lighten up."
Sounds good to me. I think I'll sit on the couch and have a doughnut, or two. I, for one, think that's an excellent way to create an "educationally rich atmosphere" in which my baby girl can learn to count.
Did you exercise while you were pregnant? Is your baby brilliant?
Comments (15)
I excercised a lot when I was pregnant with my oldest but mainly because I didn't have a car and walked to work most days. I usually only asked people for a ride when the weather was nasty in the winter otherwise I walked the mile to work about every day. I did get a ride home from coworkers though. I didn't gain a ton of weight that pregnancy either but with my 2nd that was a different story I gained way too much from lack of exercise!
Hey ! It's not too late ! Another thing which helps - physically - with a child's brain is pharmeceutical-grade beneficial omega oils.
http://www.drsears.com/ is a place you can find out about it or buy some.
Einstein said, "If you want your children to be brilliant, tell them stories. ... if you want them to be even more brilliant ... tell them MORE stories ! "
So the time-honored practice of cuddling on the couch for a rest time in the late morning and reading a picture book together ... and saying or reading Mother Goose nursery rhymes ... and a story-time before nap (with mama next to the little napper in bed) ... and ESPECIALLY a bed-time story with some lullaby singing afterward is a very beneficial and intelligent thing to include in our mothering routines.
Oh, and - no, we are NOT talking about videos or story-tapes or TV. These electronic and artificial stimuli create entirely different brain-waves, and developmentally-stunting effects on our children. For a detailed explanation of this, see: http://www.waldorflibrary.org/Journal_Articles/Strangers%20in%20our%20Homes.pdf
Nope I didn't exercise - I was like you. Junk food was my very best friend during my pregnancy. It didn't scold me, or make me feel bad for that second Snickers bar. However, if I had the chance to go back and do it all over again - I would have walked. A lot. My son is only 9 months old, so it's a tad early to tell how brilliant he may or may not be. He is hitting all milestones on time - or early even. I, on the other hand, seem to be the one with the issues. I have perpetual "baby brain" and even my hearing is off. I used to be able to eves drop on a conversation from across the room - now you can be 5 ft away from me and I'll ask you to repeat every other word. I haven't done any research in this matter, but I would be more willing to guess that REMAINING sedentary will hinder your child. I am having an issue with that still. I gained over 60 lbs during my pregnancy, and have only lost 25 of it. Because of my laziness, and being out of shape, I have a hard time playing on the floor with my son and because of always being so tired, I shy away from doing things with him that I really want to do. I have learned valuable lessons that I will take with me to my next pregnancy.
Actually, I didn't find my role as educator to be burdensome - I had a BLAST !! From infancy through the end of high school, it was incredibly fun. I mean, sure I could have watched TV instead, but being pro-active with my 3 kids gave me a great relationship with them ... I have often suspected that the troubled teens people complain about are self-inflicted, because none of my family (41 people - my generation, and our children) EVER had major issues. But then again, they were never expected to protect themselves in daycare, or fend for themselves after school, etc. ... We always knew where they were, and we were pretty strict.
This mode of parenting - last generation and this generation - produced 16 prosperous families, with 19 young adults now who are not involved in promiscuity, drugs / alcohol, or crime. And we have a dozen or so who are still young.
The old saying "If you don't get up to take care of them when they're little, you'll be getting up to take care of them when they're grown ! " highlights an important truth.
So, making the effort to learn what will enrich my child's life, and doing it day in and day out, is not only richly rewarding, joyful, and promotes my OWN blossoming ... it is also even a little bit self-serving ! I give them what they need WHEN they are needing it, and it is a great investment for my own future !
i was good in the beginning. walking every day for 30-60 mins. but that last trimester was hard to do anything! of course when i was preggo with #2, chasing a toddler was exercise enough!
I was like you with my first, I went nuts with the junk food! But I work in a warehouse and am moving all day so I figured I was getting plenty of exercise. With my second I watched what I ate but was less active at work. He made it hard for me to walk most day so there was no way I was exercising! lol :)
Well I guess for us mothers who had a rough pregnancy on bed rest, pregnant w/ multiples were just screwed. I couldn't exercise, much less sit up!! I laid on my back all day every day til my twins came along. Since I was considered high risk from the beginning, I asked my doctor EVERY DAY when I could start walking, and right when I was "allowed" to, I almost went into labor.
I am sure that excercise is great all around for mom and baby, but it kinda seems unfair. I didn't get a choice to exercise, so therefore I guess my twins will not be as smart as they could have been I guess..... :(
i would walk and do yoga but not everyday. i worked most the time i was preggo.
I exercised throughout my entire first pregnancy and have been doing the same during this pregnancy as well.
Just like with my first, I walk everyday, about a mile or two, and it helps that my husband does it with me. It's a great way for us to spend time together and talk about our work day and such, plus we take our oldest and push him in his stroller.
I also do prenatal yoga which is great, and at home, generally before I go to bed, I do pelvic tilts and squats, which helped so much in my first pregnancy. They help to prepare the lower body for birth by tightening important muscles that are using in the birthing process.