Vent: No baby classes for Working Moms

RobinLA

I'm so annoyed.  The Baby & Me yoga classes are M,W,F, the library reading is T, the Play Gym is M-F, the cooking classes are T,TH.  Luckily Gymboree offers weekend classes but I constantly lose money because if I miss them I can't make them up during the week - why can't they sell a series as opposed to their 12 week session?!

I mean, could it be anymore prejudiced against working moms?!  Yes, DD can go to some of this with the nanny but that's not the point.  It really just hit me last night as I was passing the Play Gym and thinking I have to get a pass for THE NANNY.

Ugh!  OK, vent over.  Thanks for listening.

tosababy

Eh ... babies don't really need classes.  As long as she's getting interaction with other children, it's actually nice not to have so much scheduled on the weekends.  We have enough that we try to fit in with family and friends that a class would be an added annoyance for me.

MAprincess

I agree.  I have ONE option for swim class and I have to fight for a spot with the other WM's.  There is a mom's group at my church too, but they do everything during work hours.  Not even a dinner scheduled. 

I don't think it is so much about the child getting interaction with other children.  It's about ME with MY CHILD getting interaction with other mom/tot duos that I feel like I miss out on. 

Wubster042109

I've noticed this already too.  We live on a lake so DH is adamant that DD is going to take swim lessons as soon as possible (hopefully starting at 6 months).  I've looked into all the local pools and they all offer their swim classes on a weekday at like 10 in the morning. 

I ran into the same problems w/ yoga before I had DD.  The local yoga studio catered almost exclusively to the SAHM/W set.  All the good classes were on weekdays, smack in the middle of the day.  Hence, I cancelled my membership to that studio.

Its funny.  The roads in our area come to a screeching halt in the mornings/afternoons because of a rush hour work traffic, there's that many people commuting to/from work.  Yet all the local exercise/activity businesses in the area set their hours based on the few who don't work full time.  Makes no sense to me from a business perspective.  

ak071401

I remember feeling this way with DS when we were living up in West LA.  There was nothing for working moms.  We have since moved to the South Bay and there seems to be more available.  If you don't mind the 30 minute drive, you could look into some programs down this way.

RobinLA

ak071401:

If you don't mind the 30 minute drive, you could look into some programs down this way.

I'm actually in the Valley (Sherman Oaks) and the 405 on weekends is as much a nightmare as weekdays so South Bay probably wouldn't work...but thanks for the suggestion!

cc62406

I would definitely talk to the library staff about scheduling an evening class. We have 4 storytimes a week, 2 morning, 1 late afternoon, and 1 evening.

shannadanie

I feel the same way.  We have a Little Gym and a Gymboree nearby, as well as YMCAs that offer mom/baby swim classes.  Absolutely nothing is offered on weekends or even after 5:00.  I've complained about this at all 3 places. 

My DH works all weekend and I would love to have an activity scheduled for the weekends! 

DD was a late crawler and I really wanted to get her into some sort of class to encourage movement.  Gymboree offered only a family music class on Saturday.  We went to a trial class but it was definitely not what I was looking for!

jlw2505

YOu are not alone in how you feel.  I get so frustrated.  My girls are in daycare FT at a center so I know they are doing all this great fun stuff but I want to be able to do some of this stuff with my kids.  My school district has Early Childhood Family Education classes that do offer some evening classes so I have been able to do that with my girls and we have done some Sat classes and are in a Monday night swim class but we all are tired after a full day of work/daycare so it gets long and hard some times.

dpdw

tosababy:

Eh ... babies don't really need classes.  As long as she's getting interaction with other children, it's actually nice not to have so much scheduled on the weekends.  We have enough that we try to fit in with family and friends that a class would be an added annoyance for me.

I feel the same way.  My kids get plenty of stimulation & interaction with other babies/kids at daycare.  I don't have any interest in attending a class after work or even on the weekends.  There's something to be said about being overscheduled & overstimulated.

soccermom-to-be

dpdw:

tosababy:

Eh ... babies don't really need classes.  As long as she's getting interaction with other children, it's actually nice not to have so much scheduled on the weekends.  We have enough that we try to fit in with family and friends that a class would be an added annoyance for me.

I feel the same way.  My kids get plenty of stimulation & interaction with other babies/kids at daycare.  I don't have any interest in attending a class after work or even on the weekends.  There's something to be said about being overscheduled & overstimulated.

I'm in complete agreement with both posters above.  I know you want the you and baby interaction, but I actually prefer not having a class scheduled over our weekend time.  That way we are free to do what we want when we want it.  We did zoo trips and beach days... far more fun than the Gymboree classes if you ask me.

 

MKE6115

soccermom-to-be:

dpdw:

tosababy:

Eh ... babies don't really need classes.  As long as she's getting interaction with other children, it's actually nice not to have so much scheduled on the weekends.  We have enough that we try to fit in with family and friends that a class would be an added annoyance for me.

I feel the same way.  My kids get plenty of stimulation & interaction with other babies/kids at daycare.  I don't have any interest in attending a class after work or even on the weekends.  There's something to be said about being overscheduled & overstimulated.

I'm in complete agreement with both posters above.  I know you want the you and baby interaction, but I actually prefer not having a class scheduled over our weekend time.  That way we are free to do what we want when we want it.  We did zoo trips and beach days... far more fun than the Gymboree classes if you ask me.

 

I agree. I do not want to be set to a schedule on my time off. 

Temp655608750006792

Def email your library and these other places.  Voice your thoughts because I am sure you are not the only person out there that feels this way.  I emailed my library and they are considering adding a storytime in the evening. 

xmasbabymama

I see this complaint a lot and I wonder - I'm sure these places have considered the working mom syndrome - and probably offered these classes at one time or another and found that it didn't work out.

I know that Saturdays are busy for me and I'd like to to some sort of activity here and there - probably swimming lessons - but I'm more likely to skp if I have something else to do and if that keeps happening - it sort of ruins the experience. Same with the library.

I think on Saturdays - working moms are busy and stay at home moms think of them as family time or get away time and so they aren't well attended and it costs to staff them.

kertybird

Have you thought about doing gymnastics. We go to a competitve gym for mommy and me classes. It is the only activity that we have been able to keep because the hours are much more work friendly.