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Daycare moms or moms who use gym childcare

CollieJadeCollieJade
in Austin Babies

How long did it take for your LO to get used to it and not scream bloody murder every time?

I took A to the gym childcare once last week.  I stayed with her for about 20 min so she could get used to the place before I just left her there. I left, got exactly 8 minutes of cardio done, and then got called back because she had been screaming since the second I was no longer in sight.

I thought maybe I should just keep taking her, going back in after she cries for a little while, getting her settled, going back out again, etc, but by the time I get a full 45 min of cardio in plus going in to comfort her, back again, etc, it will be naptime again and that will play into her being fussy and crying.  I'm just not sure how to do this or what the best approach is. I don't think it's so much that she's being left in an unfamiliar place as it is there's not someone there to play with her 100% of the time.  She's fine when I leave her with relatives or a babysitter because that person is there, on the floor with her the whole time, giving her 100% of their attention.

I REALLY need to get back to working out; my knees are killing me from lack of use and I'm not going to be able to lose any of this weight without exercise and weightlifting.  During the day is the only time I can go to the gym, and right now it's impossible. I don't mind the idea of her crying for a while at the gym (Ferber has made me tough!), but the gym childcare doesn't allow more than 10 min of solid crying before you have to go back in, and they won't allow more than 45 min (I think) until you just have to take your child out.

Ideas, thoughts, tips, reassurance?

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Re: Daycare moms or moms who use gym childcare

  • lyndamflyndamf
    One of the things I quickly realized when I started taking D to the gym daycare is that they weren't going to be playing with him the majority of the time. Because of this, I started giving him a little more independent play time at home to get him used to it. If she's used to someone playing with her 100% of the time, then it may be hard for her to get used to being on her own. I also ask them to at least rotate toys with him every so often because he gets bored easily. As for the crying, I can't be much help there, sorry. I've been taking D to the kids club since he was 2 months so I think he's used to it. Maybe make sure that you go at the same time every day so she gets to know te person watching her. Play with her for a bit until she gets accomodated and sneak away once she's playing and not paying attention to you? Sorry, wish I could help more with that.
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  • MrsJECMrsJEC

    Can you go at a time when the childcare area is less busy?  That way there will be fewer babies, she can get a little more attention, and possibly transition her to having less attention focused on her?  Gym childcare workers like to use things like exersaucers and jumperoos to keep children occupied for short periods of time.  Is your daughter accustomed to playing with those toys?

    From what you're describing, it sounds like we *might* go to the same gym.  If so, I have some tips specifically geared for that childcare area (specific times, specific workers to talk with, what is helpful to communicate to them).  Feel free to PM me or e-mail me.  I don't want to mention the gym on the board for privacy reasons.

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  • mrssnflwrmrssnflwr
    I could have written your post last summer. I had to take DD every day-- even if it was just for a few minutes- to get her used to going. I would go not expecting to get much of a workout in and just be ready to get her. Basically, I just had to get her used to the fact that yes- I was going to leave, but I WOULD come and get her after a little while. After two weeks (some good days and some bad), she was used to it and didn't have any more issues. It is an adjustment- good luck!!
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  • texmommy3texmommy3

    imagemrssnflwr:
    I could have written your post last summer. I had to take DD every day-- even if it was just for a few minutes- to get her used to going. I would go not expecting to get much of a workout in and just be ready to get her. Basically, I just had to get her used to the fact that yes- I was going to leave, but I WOULD come and get her after a little while. After two weeks (some good days and some bad), she was used to it and didn't have any more issues. It is an adjustment- good luck!!

    This is exactly what I was going to suggest.  It is all about consitency.  I don't take my son b/c I am weird about working out...I don't like to be interrupted.  I go at 5:30 Am.  I also am a bit worried about the germs, which I know is silly since he has two big sisters.

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  • molliedbmolliedb

    honestly, i went through months of that.  months :(  i almost gave up and the sweet gals at the gym were so encouraging and just told me to keep it up and i did, eventually she got over it.

    i prayed for her a lot while i left her- i prayed with her before i left, i'd kneel next to her and we'd pray that she could feel comfortable and secure without mommy by her side, etc.  i know that probably sounds cheesy to some, but its what i/we needed to do.  we probably dealt with this from about 8mo-20mo. :(

    some days were better than others for sure, but i just never knew how it was going to go.  thankfully now, i haven't had to deal with it at ALL with eve- i think having her sister there with her makes a world of difference.

    i also started hiring a babysitter from the gym at the time so that there was a familiar face most of the time when we went up there.  i do think that helped a little.

     

    i'm sorry you're going through this.  its CRUMMY :(

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