Exercising with your child present is not the same as exercising alone—even if it’s the same workout.
Going for a walk with an acquaintance is not the same as going for a walk alone—even if it’s the same distance.
Working at home is not the same as working in an office—even if the same amount of work gets done.
An argument can be made in either direction for any of the above mentioned sides.
What’s worth considering, however, is which side makes the most sense for you and your life… and then arguing for it.
Which sounds obvious, but I assure you, is something most of us don’t do.
…Because if exercising with your child present is consuming any of your alone time and making you emotionally exhausted… you should argue for the opposite.
And if walking with somebody who chronically complains is messing up your outdoor recharge time… you should argue for the opposite.
And if working at home is messing with your ability to compartmentalize work vs life balance… then you should argue for the opposite.
…And the same is true for the inverse of each of the above.
The point isn’t to say any one side is better than the other… it’s to remind you that if you don’t argue for what’s best in your life… who will?