If you do a mommy &me class...I need help

etude de la vie

I started DD in a mommy & me art class (gymboree) and today was a disaster. We had tears and paint everywhere as I rocked the newborn and tried ward off all the other kids in the class trying to touch him in the car seat. I need tips and advice desperately!  

DS was not asleep so I brought in the carseat hoping I could rock him to sleep. He didn't want to be in the carseat anymore so I rocked him in my arms asleep and finally transferred him into the car seat while they did storytime. He woke up after 10 min but was mostly content as long as I rocked it. I brought the car seat over to where DD was working at the table. 

DD on the other hand was a mess.  She is having a hard time with transitions and everytime something was over she threw a tantrum. During painting she wouldn't wear the smock so paint was all over her clothing, she was grabbing everything on the table (other kids art projects) and was screaming when I gave it back. To make matters worse all the other toddlers kept coming over to the car seat saying "baby baby" and trying to reach down to touch him. Their mommys were close and tried to keep them away but I can't always trust they are going to stop their kid from touching mine. One kid even ran off with his pacifier (wubbanub) and I had to chase it down.To top it off she threw a massive tantrum when it was time to leave!  

I myself started to cry on the way back to the car with my screaming toddler and cranky newborn.  

Ugghh.. I feel so embarrassed! I NEED to get DD out of the house, and this art class would be perfect but I am such a disaster I am not even sure if I can show my face again. How do you do it?

kcisthebombdotcom

Wear the baby. Then kids can't touch, and you have your hands free to tend to DD.

 

ghostgirl

Don't be embarrassed...any mom of two kids has been in your shoes and understands what you are going through.

Wearing the baby is good advice. 

Honestly, when DS was that little, I didn't take DD to any formal classes...it was just way more than I could handle.  I instead would take her to open play time at Gymboree or the other places like that near our house and carry DS around in the Bjorn.  When DS was 4 months old, I joined a gym with a great child center.  That was the BEST thing I ever did!  I could get in a workout and shower (not to mention a little breathing room from the kids), and the kids really enjoyed being around other kids and wore themselves out playing.  It was also good for DD to have some time away from me to "practice" for school.  Truth be told, occasionally I would skip the workout and take a nap in the lounge for an hour and then shower.  Bad mommy!

maramarrie

KC_13:

Wear the baby. Then kids can't touch, and you have your hands free to tend to DD.

 

This.

lilone_06

I always try to wear the newborn in the Baby Bjorn when going into an environment like that.  That way I'm hands-free, so can help the girls with their activities and ward off touchers.  Definitely recommend getting a carrier if you don't have one.  Otherwise, you could try to keep baby in the stroller?... but would be harder to keep touchers away.  In the carseat on the floor is just too tempting for them - right at eye level for a toddler!

Don't worry, I've had many an outing ending in tears for all four of us.  It's just part of the learning process.

laura1

I used to bring DD to Little Gym in her car seat, in the snap and go stroller - that way she was higher than the other kids and they couldn't reach her as easily.  In the basket, I kept the baby bjorn and on many occasions, I had to take her out and wear her due to her screaming. 

My finest day was when I was with DS on the other end of the room and noticed a crowd forming near my DD...I realized she was crying (whoops!) and I went over to get her (carrying DS away from.  Before the others realized I was her mom, I heard people saying "Someone needs to come over here and calm her down."  I felt pretty guilty, but you can only do what you can do.  People without 2 under 2 can't relate, so don't let them bother you! 

My DD is quite happy now, and you would never know we had bad times!  We finally stopped going when she was 6 months...she didn't want to sit in her stroller any more, so it was too hard with both of them.  Good luck!

JoannaJes

Ditto to PPs about wearing the baby. I honestly cannot handle lugging around a carseat and trying to keep up with a toddler.

The only "formal" class we go to is gymnastics. I have DD in the Ergo the entire time, and she usually ends up falling asleep about halfway through the class. And the other time is spent watching with amazement at all of the "big kids" jumping around.

sweetpea2003

I started going to a library mommy and me class when DS was about 2 months.

I am starting slow .  This class is only for babies under 2 (and even infants can get something out of it) and it is FREE.  So if it is a day that we are having a hard time, we don't go.  No guilt, no money lost.

Before I would either wear DS or keep him in his stroller (away from the other kids).  Now I bring a blanket and he participates.  I do the songs with both kids.  My DD has learned that her brother gets some attention too and seems okay with it most days .

I probably wouldn't sign up for something messy like art yet.  I would be more paranoid about things.  Have you thought about doing something like music where your newborn might enjoy just listening while your older toddler gets to participate?

Noralie

I did music class with the girls around that age and it was not bad. But art? No way. I would find something that's less messy and will allow your older child to be more independent and active. Wait on things like art for your kids to be a bit older. (If you really want to do it, you can at home while the baby is sleeping and you can have more control.)