Emily Simpson: Taking Care of Three Toddlers Is More Exhausting Than a Workout With Eddie Judge
"The lows of parenting three toddlers at once is that you have three toddlers…at once."
BravoTV.com: While working out with Gina, you mentioned the high highs and low lows of parenting. What do you mean by that?
Emily Simpson: It was really fun to watch the ladies having a blast in Mexico. I enjoyed watching all three of them let lose and have a great time together! While they were in Mexico, it was great to meet up with Gina at Stroller Strides, and get to know more about her. When I first met her at CUT Fitness and she said she had three children that were almost the same exact ages as my three toddlers, I knew that we would have so much in common! I was excited about the opportunity to hang out again, just the two of us, with our kids. (Not so excited about working out, though, but I’m up for trying anything new. Haha.)
The Stroller Strides class was fun, but honestly, my boys were not complacent sitting in a stroller while I was working out. Luke and Keller went rogue right from the very beginning, and I spent the majority of the class chasing them around and being pulled onto the nearby playground. I actually spent most of the class playing on the playground with my boys, but the one thing you learn early on as a parent is that plans go out the window when you have small children, and it’s easier just to go with the flow.
While we are working out, I mention to Gina that having young children is the highest of highs, and also the lowest of lows. I knew that she would understand exactly what I was talking about. After years of not being able to have children and suffering so many losses, just the sheer fact that I have three beautiful, healthy children is the most amazing and wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. There are times when just thinking about my children literally brings tears of joy, and I will be sitting in a coffee shop drinking a cup of coffee while sobbing my eyes out. Watching my children grow and learn and experience new things brings insurmountable happiness to my life. Simple things like watching them play together, or just a hug and “I love you mommy” will make my heart feel as if it could explode with happiness. My children are my greatest gifts, and they give me more joy and happiness than I’ve ever experienced.
The lows of parenting three toddlers at once is that you have three toddlers…at once. There are times when all three children are crying or fighting over the same toy or grabbing my arms and crawling up my body while I’m trying to make dinner, and I literally feel like my heart will explode…from anxiety. Taking care of three toddlers is exhausting, more exhausting than a workout with Eddie Judge. It’s physically and emotionally draining. Someone always needs to go potty, I usually have poop smeared on me somewhere, and someone is always screaming “Mommy!!!!” There are times when it is so chaotic, all I want to do is hide in my closet, put earmuffs on, and eat snacks. All three of my children are very young and unable to do much for themselves, so it’s a lot of physical activity of tying shoes, brushing hair, getting dressed and undressed, and racing up and down the stairs (my next house will be a one story) getting snacks, and milk, and more snacks, and juice, and blankets, etc. And someone is always crying. Always. Being a parent of young children is the most glorious and rewarding thing I will ever experience, yet the most difficult and demanding at the same time. Thus, the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
BravoTV.com: What is your take on the Kelly vs. Vicki situation?
ES: I am a Girl’s Girl 100%. My girlfriends mean the world to me and provide so much love and emotional support to my life. Therefore, I am definitely on Kelly’s side in this situation. While watching that argument between Kelly and Vicki, I felt very badly for Kelly. You can see that she was hurt deeply by Vicki. She is clearly suffering and feels betrayed. I honestly don’t think Kelly cares that Michael is moving on and dating other women. Kelly is dating as well. Kelly is clearly hurt by the fact that she considered Vicki to be a close friend, yet Vicki chose to keep Kelly in the dark about Michael dating a friend of hers and never told her that she and Steve had gone on double dates with Michael and this new woman. This is a clear violation of Girl Code. Vicki claims that she didn’t tell Kelly about Michael dating her friend, because they (Michael and Vicki’s friend) asked her not to. Vicki abides by their request and doesn’t tell Kelly, thus clearly choosing a side in this situation, even though she claims that she “doesn’t want to be involved." She obviously involved herself as soon as she agreed not to tell Kelly. If she truly didn’t want to be involved she would have never agreed to stay quiet and go on double dates. She would have recused herself from the situation entirely. Lastly, it was hard to see Kelly crying and so deeply hurt. I think in that moment she just needed some compassion and understanding from Vicki and perhaps a truly heartfelt apology and a hug. However, Vicki continues to try and rationalize her behavior, and then leaves Kelly sobbing to call Michael from her car, even though she claims she doesn’t want to be involved.
