Anyone gym daycare?

[kikimezz]

I am a full time SAHM, no one ever babysits my son unless its family. He is 16 months old, hasnt been to any sort of daycare type facility so far. I decided to join a gym this morning. I stayed an extra few minutes and walkk on the treadmill a few minutes after signing up,The very second I was finishing up I hear over the speakers "Zach's mom please come to childcare". He apparently wanted to be picked up and didnt want to be put down or kept running to the door wanting out. So I am hoping if I keep going it will just take him some time to get accustomed to it. Does anyone have experience with this?

[hikingmommy]

So, how long did he last? It sounds like he was OK for a little while. Maybe next time come back after as long as he was OK for, then try to go a little longer each time.

I don't belong to a gym, but I know a few people who do, and they talk about their kids loving the daycare there. But, I think all their kids had been with sitters before. it may be a big adjustment to go from you and family all the time to a daycare situation. Do you have any plans to try a sitter at home? That may be something to try if the daycare doesn't go well. (As a way to get him used to being with other people, then go back to the daycare - using the sitter as a smaller step.)

[kikimezz]

He lasted for 14 minutes before I got the call over the loudspeaker. So hopefully in time it will get better. The reason we only use family members to babysit is well they're free, and also we trust them. But also they're free, haha.

[lonegirl]

My son has his own "gym membership" card and all. He loves that he goes to gym to workout and exercise like mommy and daddy do. That being said it was only last week we got him the membership. At 16m we briefly went in....but he was very, very attached...so although we missed the gym (and only took turns) I think for us it was the best thing to wait.

[kikimezz]

He isn't used to being around a lot of little children too. There aren't many little ones in our extended family the local park we go to is quiet too. But when there are kids he just usually watches.

[jmo]

I take my two (4.5 and 14mos) to my gym childcare once or twice a week. My toddler loves it but my older daughter had a really hard time when I first stared taking her at 2 or so. I just kept trying and eventually she was okay with it. I really like the women who work there and they gave her lots of extra attention right after I left to help her adjust and get her involved with something. It worked really well when someone would sit down and read a book with her. I would also pack a special snack in her own little bag so it was kind of fun.

[kikimezz]

Originally Posted by jmo

I would also pack a special snack in her own little bag so it was kind of fun.

Thats a great idea, I may do that tomorrow, pack him a little bag with a snack or a drink and a toy or 2.

[Happiestever]

I just now signed up again after my horrid experience with my dd. I got the overhead page 8 times before I gave up. When I went back yesterday - over 18 months later, my kids were playing no problem. I hope my baby does just as well as the older two did yesterday when I take them again tomorrow. I tried all sorts of ways to leave her, saying goodbye, talking to her, walking away while she was playing- and each time the choking sobs would commence- prompting the page. Poor ds loved the gym and really hated leaving after being there for such a short time. Sometimes they're just at that stage where they want to be only with mommy/daddy. It is rough.

For me though exercising is not only about being physically healthy but mentally- being a SAHM of three I need that 1.5 hr break - badly. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you if you cross your fingers for me.

[pearl2]

I LOVE my gym daycare, and plan to really start using it next week at least 3 times a week! You get 2 hours for $8. Sometimes I go and just sit in the steam room and do absolutely nothing but feel the sweat just oozing out. FABULOUS.

[kikimezz]

So I went back to the gym this morning, took my ds, it took 24 minutes for the overhead call instead of 14 minutes like yesterday. I went in he just looked SO overwhelmed. THere are a lot of children there. He isnt used to being around other children, he doesnt really know how to interact with them just yet. He would rather play with the adults, since thats probably what he knows. I sat with him a few minutes then left for maybe 10 minutes at most until the 2nd overhead call came in. He truely just looked so overwhelmed. SO I left him there, gathered up my things, attempted a quick sneak on the treadmill, I got 1/4 mile until the call came overhead again. He was just crying and so upset. As soon as we got to the car he was his normal happy self. My husband says not to take a day off from taking him (I was planning on going 4-5 times a week on weekdays) he thinks ds needs to learn and get accostomed.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by kikimezz

My husband says not to take a day off from taking him (I was planning on going 4-5 times a week on weekdays) he thinks ds needs to learn and get accostomed.

I kinda agree. It might help to have a schedule -- basically what ever schedule you want to have long term, and just stick with it. Our gym day care rotates who works there, but the same women are there on MWF at the same times. A lot of people work out at specific times (because of a class they want to take or their other kids' schedules), so if you go at same time, he'll see many of the same kids over and over.

You might try to keep it really short for a while. May be if he makes it a whole half hour, leave then rather than waiting for him to melt down. And then after a few times of successful 30 min. in daycare, you can build up so you can get in a proper work out.

Good luck!

[jmo]

yeah, I was going to say the same thing about going the same days/times. There is one girl at my gym who both my kids LOVE so I found out which day she works and made a reservation for that day every week. Also, when my dd was having a hard time, it helped to go at a really slow time so she wouldn't be overwhelmed by tons of kids and so the staff could give her their full attention (one of them would just carry her around for awhile sometimes). At my gym that seemed to be later afternoon (like 4pm).

[Happiestever]

I think I did 20 minutes too!
My 4 yo and baby did super today, but I am back to struggling with dd. But I am not letting this interfere with me exercising. I'm not giving in to her tantrums. I just talked with her and will continue to talk with her about everything and how to play nice with other (the problem today). I think that repition and routine are key, so I agree with your DH to just keep going. That's my plan anyway. Everyday, no matter what. Not only will this be great for your body but your child will get used to it and look forward t it. Eventually =)

[Abraisme]

I've used a gym daycare for my DS in the past and it was fine. He started going when he was 2 and never had a problem with it. I don't see any issue with gym daycare, it's only a few hours a week and you can be there within minutes if he needs you.

[kikimezz]

So today I tried out the other gym location. Its a LOT smaller than the previous one, you have to walk in the middle of a ton of ladies doing step aerobics to get to the childcare room, lol. There was only one worker in this place, but only 8 other children (as opposed to 2 daycare workers and atleast 20 kids). I explained my situation and figured I would only stay about 20 minutes or so just to see how he does. I came back she was sitting with him in her lap and he was upset crying, boogers flowing and everything. Poor thing, She says she doesnt call the parent the second something happens (like the previous location does) she will try to console them for a few minutes and if she cant calm them down she'll then call the parent. The newer location is sooo much smaller than the other one, both have good things and bad things, If I have to think of ds first I'd probably choose the smaller gym.

[cowboyjunki]

So funny to see this post, because I just joined the YMCA and am going to start taking my kids to the childcare 2-3 x/week. I am TERRIFIED to leave my one year old, as she has barely ever been away from me and has never been left with anyone but family (even that has been less than 3 times!) I think my 5 yo DS will be okay, but I am so nervous about my baby!

It sounds like things are getting a little better for your little one - i agree the smaller gym may be best for him.

[cocobean]

I worked at a gym daycare for about a year. A lot of kids do this. Eventually they get used to it and have a good time there. Especially if you have a good person working who knows how to deal with this issue. Eveyones suggestions sound really good. Just be persistent and eventually they'll get used to it and they won't want to leave!

[beebalmmama]

I hope that I can leave my 2nd ds at a gym or with any babysitter for that matter in the near future.
My 1st ds would not have done well in that situation. He also had a small social circle and was not left with anyone but close friends and family. At 18 months he was in part time care and cried everyday for a good two or three weeks. We didn't see good improvement with his ability to handle it until he was in full time care. Short term new situations were just too much for him. As time went on we have realized how sensitive and reserved he is. Even now at 5 he is very reserved about joining in on new activities, people, places etc.
I would consider still trying and keeping to a routine. But if he was extremely upset I would pick him up after the initial upset.

[Vegan Princess]

I love being able to bring DD to childwatch at the Y! We started at 6 months and she would last 4 minutes before they grabbed me! I think in total I'd get like 10 minutes of working out in. I took a few months off then she did much better. I started off w/short workouts and worked up to longer. I still often only do 30 or 45 minutes but she is fine w/an hour.

I feel really fortunate though. Our closest Y is small and slow. I go right when they open so usually she is the only one there for a bit. But even when she isn't, it's rare for there to be more than 5 kids there! I think 20 kids would make me VERY uneasy!


Our Y does babygym twice/week...the same people put it on and the kids go and play and run around on different things. Perhaps yours offers something similar so he can get used to being there? Or perhaps they would let you bring him in to play (w/you there) to have extra time there so it feels more familiar?

Cindy

[Bokonon]

I just brought DD to child watch at the Y for the first time yesterday, and it was a disaster. I was gone about 10 minutes, but as soon as I left her sight, she started screaming and didn't stop until I came back. And DS was there too, so he tried to calm her down, but it was futile.

She used to do fine with our babysitter (who I totally trust), but lately she just cries. I know it's just a phase, but I'm not happy about it. My wedding anniversary is this weekend and I think we're going to have to bring the kids with us to dinner. *sigh*