Gym with childcare - questions

[allisonrose]

I'm a SAHM and really want to drop roughly 50 lbs so I am contemplaring joining a gym with childcare. I think it would be nice on two levels: I get healthier and a bit of "me" time while working out. My sons are 6 months and nearly 3 y/os. My toddler is very outgoing but has never been in a childcare setting. My baby is a pretty easy going guy although he is beginning to get a bit upset at being held by others when he hears me nearby (I cannot recall if DS1 went through this). The downside is that it is pricey: I found one through my hubby's employer that we would pay just under $80 a month for a family membership (required to use childcare). I have not visited the gym yet (no vehicle - we just moved). I am curious to see how gym childcare has worked out for other MDCers. Also can anyone give me tips on questions to ask or things to look for when I do visit?

[Adaline'sMama]

subbing. Ive always been curious about this. Our rule has always been that we dont leave our kid(s) with anyone we dont know well until they are old enough to talk . But it seems like gym daycares are really public and parents are constantly going in and out. I want to join a gym about 6 months after this one is born, and Im interested to know other's experiences too.

[July05mama]

It took a while for me to be able to leave my kids at the gym daycare, but it has seriously changed my life. They LOVE it. Like literally ask me every morning if they can go. It has motivated me to go workout. I feel fully comfortable with them there. I know they are having fun and that they are safe and I am in the same building so if they needed me, I'm right there. My 3 year old didn't like it at first. They called me after 10 minutes because he was crying. I tried again, but then got frustrated with having such a short workout so I waited a month or so and tried again. He was ready at that point. When my six year old was that age, it took a few days for him to get used to it as well but eventually he loved going too. Good luck! 

[maya's mommy]

My kids also love going to the child care at the gym. When I go and my dh is home they still ask if they can go to be in the kids' clubs. I have gone to a few places and it is so nice to have time to workout and know that they are happy.  There are a few park districts around here that you can use the child care and walk on the track without having to join.  It is a good way to see if it works out for you.  

[Millie Ivy]

We go to the YMCA.  I LOVE the Y. Awesome people, programs, community.  Very affordable too, you should check around and see if you have one near enough to you.

As far as childcare, we have always had a bit of a transition period where there might be some tears and resistance, but they do get used to it and then love it the more regularly we go.  If I skip too many days of a week my 4 year old won't want to go back but if I stay consistent, he is happy there.  In the mornings there is the same 50-60 year old woman who works the room with a variety of younger helpers and he likes her a lot. He calls them his "teachers" and it's his "class" lol.

In fact, I need to go get him ready right now so I can go to yoga!

ps- Our family memberships at our Y are like 55 or 60 bucks I think, but they do financial aid based on individual situations and we only pay 20 a month for the whole family, including childcare.  We get discounts on sports for the kids too, a varying levels.  I just really love the spirit of the Y that we have seen here.

[allisonrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millie Ivy 

We go to the YMCA.  I LOVE the Y. Awesome people, programs, community.  Very affordable too, you should check around and see if you have one near enough to you.
 

From what I read on Yelp, the nearby Y is $100 per month for a family membership. :( I live in a high cost of living area. I should still check it out once I have transportation though.

[sren]

I benefitted from using gym childcare when my kids were young.  I think it helped to lift me out of depression.  I just wanted to say that no matter how nice and responsible the childcare providers seem that it is a good idea to verbalize specifically even any commonsense limits.  One of the childcare workers at my gym gave my EBF 8-mo peanut butter crackers!  Luckily no allergies here, but I was stunned.

[allisonrose]

Poking around online I found a women's only club with childcare in my area. The childcare hours are limited but it is significantly cheaper: $28/month. The other downside is that my hubby won't have a membership but the chances of him using it is pretty slim.