Want to Take Daughter to Childcare at Bally's While I Work Out

I finally figured these things out by child #3...

It's usually more a problem with the MOM being a worry wart than the child freaking out that they aren't with you

Even when they do cry, it's because of fear of the unknown. If they haven't been away from you then they don't understand that you actually WILL be back soon-- and more importantly, that they will be FINE without you for a brief amount of time

Once they get over the initial shock of being with someone besides you, they appreciate the time without you - seriously, they love you as much as you love them but we all need a break sometimes - including that they need a break from you!

Once they get used to being in the new environment, they will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE exploring new toys and being around other children. Even the shyest of kids eventually get used to other kids being in their space, and even if they don't interact they enjoy seeing humans their size and will stare at them and watch them play

It's very healthy for both of you!!!

Since you've already paid for the membership, what do you have to lose??? Can you go as often as you want? Try going several days in a row for VERY small amounts of time (seriously, start with like 10 minutes so she can see that you ARE going to come back and that the world did not implode while you were gone) and increasingly leave her for longer peroids of time until you are able to leave her long enough to get a good workout-- and trust me if you stay consistant, she will ASK to go!!

As a parent and former child care worker, I can tell you the worst thing to do is linger when you drop her off. You should go by there one time to tour the child care center. Stay there with her and walk around with her. Don't let her touch anything yet. See if she would like to stay and play, but let her know mommy can't stay there and will be right back. If she doesn't seem OK with the idea, let her play VERY briefly and then take her home. Take note of something special she really liked and talk about it the whole way home. Ask her if she'd like to go back some time to play with it again. Try and head back within the next day or 2 and talk about it all morning to build up her excitment. Then once you get there, do NOT linger for a long time and try to be conscious of your facial expression-- don't look worried-- smile at her and tell her you'll be right back-- then hug her once and walk out! Go back in 10 minutes to check on her. If she is OK, stay away longer. If not, go in and ask if she wants to go home or stay and play. If she wants to stay and play, leave again for another 10-15 minutes and so on. You can do this!!

2 moms found this helpful

YES! You should do it. It will be a healthy break for both of you. Start small... talk it up... she'll get to go "play with other kids". Take some favorite things (sippy cup, stuffed animal/doll/blankie, a fav. snack, fav. video)
Don't count on working out much the first few times you go. Plan on 5-10 mins, 15 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins, 45 mins and work up to an hour. (You can do a bit of cardio while you are building your daughter's endurance for separation up.)
It is good for children to have some independence. This will help with babysitters and when you eventually DO have to leave your daughter in child care/school.
ABOVE ALL ~ Do NOT let her sense that you have any hesitation on this being a good thing!
Good luck!
T.
Mommy to a 3.5 and a 1.5 year old.

1 mom found this helpful

Do you go to the one on Village in WPB? If so, I have personal experience with the day care there. My son never goes to day care either and I was so worried about him going. But, I took him and I would sneak and peak in during working out and he was fine. They put little bracelets on their arms and on the parent's arm and they have to match in order for you to take them home. You have to sign them out too. Anyway, it was a good experience for me and if you want to meet there some time (I have a 3-year old son who plays very, very well with other children), I would love to start going regularly. I've been hesitant because once in a while there are no kids there. But, sometimes, there are a lot of kids there. They have tables, crayone, a small slide, t.v., and other stuff. Let me know. My number at work is ###-###-####. I work at FPL.

I would suggest getting her used to the idea that "mommy will come back" at home when you go out for a little while, even just going out of the room. Get her used to the idea and concept by telling her things like see mommy came back, sometimes mommy has to go for a little while and then I come back. What would I do without my baby girl. Keep that up so she recognizes that you might leave but you are coming back.

Also try going to work out at the same time so the same person/people can be there so you can make it easier by having her familiar with someone there. I agree that the most important thing is that you are in control of your emotions and are sending off a very cool calm vibe not a big deal feeling. If you are concerned about it she will pick up on it and it will be worse. Like when a child falls and they don't cry until they see you worried then they start crying. They judge a situation by what you show them. not just the smie on your face but you have to get to a point where you are like this is fine and she will be fine so you can be calm about it. This will be easier if you get to now someone that works there as well.

Good luck!

Hi M.! Well, you never know until you try. I would take her one time, and maybe just stay in there with her. Forgo a workout the first time. That way she can get used to the place. Then, maybe, do some short workouts the first few times...like 10 minutes. Another great reason to stay with her..to observe the workers and standards of the room. I brought my daughter to LA Fitness, and it was one of the worst experiences I have had. The kids were going under the desk, playing with cords..there were choking hazards on the ground..a screw on the floor. To top it off, while I was in the gym, my daughter got past the "security gate", and had hands pressed against the unlocked glass door that allows access to the gym. Not one worker saw her...and she could have been abducted in 2 seconds. I never went back. I don't want to scare you..just be aware that some of these places pay low wages, and you won't get much from the care. I am sure there are awesome workers in some, but keep all eyes open.
A.

I too have faced the exact delema. My daughter is now 3.5 years old and what I did to make the transition easier for her and me was I spent time with her at the child care facility and helped my daughter feel comfortable in those surroundings. I did this for a few days in a row and helped her make friends. It got easier afte three or four days because we saw the same kids there and I would talk to her about the friends she meet at the gym and how much fun she was going to have playing with them. The staff in the child care facility are experiance with this kind of situation and should help you and your daughter make the transition as well. I hope this helps. Good Luck! M. in Coral Springs

I have not read the other answer, but here is mine. Please, if they have a child care there, do leave her and go take some time for yourself...From what i read from your question, I feel that it's probably more you who is stressed at the idea then her. Even if she does cry, you have to make her feel in your words AND body language that its ok, she will see you coming back and hour or so later and she will grasp the concept really quick.If she does cry, don't fret, she'll be just fine after a little while. Besides you will be teaching her an invaluable life lesson: mommy-time is just as important as mommy-and-her-time. So go, go take care of yourself and teach her the lesson of being, staying and wanting to be healthy

I take my four month old to the YMCA with me. I was very nervous at first, but now it's just a habit. I think he likes to be around the other babies and children there. If you go during the exercise classes, there are usually lots of other children for your child to play with...that's when lots of ladies go! I think we owe it ourselves to get a good workout and burn off some stress! Don't feel guilty, but I would go check out the day care at your gym before you decide. The Y is great, but I've never been in Bally's day care. God bless!

Have you even tried it? The real reason to be concerned is that any day care venue is filthy. Forget the separation anxiety. Pack a favorite snack, her blanket or teddy bear, favorite video to watch; and then wash her face and hands after you pick her up. Now, that's a workout!

I have done this with my two youngest they where 1-2 at the time. I'm a single mom of four and when my older two where in school it gave me the mornings to do stuff for myself and around the house , go to the store , put laundry away....ect. I decided to enroll in a gym I attended Golds and they also have a daycare center. The first time I rushed, I waited till they weren't looking and left. That didn't work, the girls there said they would be ok but no it wasn't , by the time I got them settled it was time to go. I took the time to sit with them for a week , I would wait out side the door and if they cried I'd come back in, to show them that I'm not going far and that Im still there. It took about a week and a half before I could go about 30 mins. It took time but it was worth it . Now they can't wait to go. I have never had any of my children in daycare besides this so I under your concern,and her attachment to you. We need to be reasuring and loving , settle any fears calmly. I hope this helps you. Every mommy needs a break!

i have the same prob. my husband works nite and sleeps alld ay and i have a 2.5yo and also a 4.5yo tht goes to vpk. so between all the coming and going it;s hard to work out. so this is what i do. i bought an elliptical machine. which was about $300. big investment but by the time i would have joined a gym it was the same cost. also i work out to tapes or to the tv (i have brighthouse digital cable and they have a workout on demand channel) and i work out with my 2.5 yo either there with me or i wait until he is napping. however, if these are not options for you, then go to Bally's and check the credentials of the caregivers there. If your daughter has a problem then they will come and get you. they won't let her cry for you. So my advice is give it a try and if it doesn't work, then try something else. I also walk outside while my children play. anything you do for exercise is good. it doesn't have to be confined to a gym. since my son was born i have lost about 50lbs doing stuff at home, and not dieting. so good luck

you have to try to it to really know.
she will most likely be okay and if she does cry at first remember they are used to it there.
my daughter never went to daycare either and she was fine at the gym daycare. there were not usually any other children so she still received that adult attention she was used but it was a way for a her to adapt to being away from me.,
i say go for it and see what happens. two is a good age to slowly loosen the ties between toddler and mommy.
have fun working out too. get those endorphins flowing.

Please drop her off and walk away, she may cry at first, but she will be fine. It only makes it worse if you hang around. You need some "me" time and should be relaxed while taking that time. The first few times may be tough, but she will probably grow to love her special time at the gym. Good Luck!

This happened to me the 1st time I went to Bally's she hated it. Although my almost 4 year old daughter has been in a child care setting since 2 months old. Bally's did not work out for me.

However, when I joined LifeStyle Family Fitness Gym we had the same problem. I stayed with her for a few minutes she cried and cried. The staff would come to get me if she needed me.

Tell her what you will be doing and what she will be doing at the gym. They understand at that age believe it or not. Stay with her for a few minutes let her know you will be back. Of course the child center needs to be kid friendly & some of them are not.

Also what worked for me is got my gym buddy to drop her off in the kids room for me & she did not realize I was gone. It took about 1 or 2 weeks to sink in that she had to stay there & that mommy was coming back.

Now she loves going to the gym.

I started going to the gym when she was almost 2 years old so she was around your daughters age.

I don't think it has to do whether she has been in a child care setting but the staff at the gym child care setting and separation anxiety.

Keep in mind the staff at the gyms are not like the day care centers. There is no kid to adult ratio there and they are just a babysitter service. No diaper changes, etc.

Keep trying you need your me time.

It took my son (2 years old then) 4 weeks to stay at the childcare with no crying at all. It was kind of difficult and frustrating because I felt very guilty when I left him there crying and they called me to pick him up every time he wouldn't calm down (10 to 15 min. after dropping him off.) In short, there was pretty much not workout. At the end it was so worth it though. Now he has a blast every time he goes there plus the care givers are very nice. I go to 24 hours fitness.

Be patient, it takes time and strength, but you both will be having fun pretty soon.

Good luck.

Hi M.!
My advice would be to just try it. The other replies had some great advice. Let her walk around with you and then leave her for short amounts of time.
If it doesn't work out or you would like to work out with your child you can always try a program like Stroller Strides where you can work out and bring your child with you. www.strollerstrides.com to find a location near you.
Hope that helps!
K.

Hi M.,

Give child care a try, I was a kindergarden teacher and know that 99% of children stop howling as soon as mother leaves. They curiously look around and find something or someone to play with.

If it does not work you can jump rope at home, do sit ups
arobics with music or yoga.

D. P.

I brought my daughters to the daycare at my gym and they were really attatched to me, the staff there were awesome, i brought my children to the gym and told them it was a play place they could stay while i was in the other room. Well they went in there and started playing and coloring and they had a huge tv and had their favorite shows and slides and plenty of children to play with and i told them i would be right back, and they had a tv where i can watch what was going on inside at the front desk, so they never had a problem i stood there for 20 min and i was like man they don't miss me lol. Take her on a day your not going to work out or will, introduce her to the room and see how she reacts and if she seems comfortable try to leave the room and see how she reacts, maybe get her to play with another child and see how that works. If she cries then you can stay for a minute and comfort her and say you will be right back, but you should try leaving and if she cries for a certain amount of time have one of the staff get you and then you come back, she will get use to being dropped off even if she cries for 5 to 10 min or even longer in the morning. Good Luck
S. mommy to 5 amazing children 17yrs,9yrs,7yrs,3yrs,and 19months check out my sons journey at www.liamlockhart.com

I understand your dilemma. The balance between personal time and the security and well-being of your children is very difficult. You may want to have a great Babysitter come over on certain days for a couple of hours so that you can have a little time for yourself and your child doesn't have to leave home. That way you can truely focus on working out or doing anything you have to get done.

I can help. I own The Babysitter Tree and we refer you Caregivers based on your "wish list" of Caregiver credentials in your area.

You can review their Profiles in the comfort of your own home, decide who you would like to interview, check their backgrounds, credentials, certifications, references and negotiate pay, hours, duties, or anything that is important to you.

You can then hire and put into your Rolodex anyone that you feel is a good match for your family, and call them anytime you choose because they work directly for you.

If you would like to know more, just give me a call at ###-###-#### and/or check out our website at www.thebabysittertree.com!

I would be happy to help you find some peace of mind!

How does she respond to strangers at the park or the supermarket. Is she shy or easygoing? You won't know untiL you try. You could also use a babysitter at home.

Hi M.,

I've had a good experience with my child at the kid's club (24 hr fitness). I've been working out for over 12 yrs, once I had my son, I couldn't see myself home and not working out. My child has been at the kid's club at 24 hr fitness since he was 8 months old. I've never had any problems. He actually started socializing and learning new things with the other kids there. I think this is going to help you child in more ways than you can imagine. If I were you, I would give it a shot. Hope all works out. Luv, Jaz

Hi, I use the babysitting at the gym all the time and what I do is I go early in the morning (right when they open) and that helps in the traffic of children. I always walk by it. My son seems to enjoy it and that is his "daycare" as well because he stays home with me or goes to the office with me. Good Luck!

she will sense your insecurity about leaving her and it will be harder for her. Just take her there, confidently drop her off, tell her you'll be back, and walk out. Do not give in to any fuss she might make. Then when you get back, give her a big hug and just be happy about the whole thing. (even if you are torn up with anxiety!) She will accept this as normal if you model by your behavior that child care is a good thing. Make it a positive experience!