I've finally started trying to go to the gym again. Well, sort of. I tried twice, and both times the daycare people had to come and get me. If a child cries for 15 minutes, their policy is to come and get the mother. My older child is also taking swim lessons, and I also try to use the daycare then, with the same result. I haven't tried anymore to work out, but my other child will be taking swim lessons for months, and it is so, so hard to get her ready, get her in the pool, get her dressed afterwards, if I have the baby too. The swim lesson is only 1/2 hour, but the baby never makes it through in child watch. I have tried taking food, a bottle, even a paci (which didn't help much because she's never liked them a lot), and they have even tried walking with her the whole time - nothing has worked. She has had babysitters at home and been okay with them - I guess because she's at home and not in a "strange" place - although by now it shouldn't be all that strange anymore! Help!!
My dd did this too. I just quit trying until she was about 2 and then she loved going. It was like a special playdate every time I took her there. I know that's no help for you now, but maybe something to look forward to.
This is what our gym does for kiddos having a hard time. And we did do this with our then 13 month old. We had to take her and drop her off for 15 minutes, then pick her up, and had to make sure to take her multiple times a week. Did this for awhile, then when she did okay with 15 mins we upped it to 20 or 25 minutes and so on. She is now 19 months old and still cries sometimes at drop off and I am occasionally called still too, but it is much better than it was before and many times when I pick her up she is having a great time! It is a pain for sure, to drive there just to be there for 15 minutes but I think it was worth it in the long run! (I have an older kid in swim lessons at our gym too, and it is sooo nice to have the daycare for that). Good luck!
He's not ready yet. Try again next year. I don't believe in forcing little kids to do things like that until they are ready. Have him stay home with a babysitter and everyone will be happy :)
We had this problem when our son was younger - only he cried his way out of home babysitters too! Finally, at 2 we enrolled him in a daycare that wouldn't just let him "cry his way out" for two mornings a week. It took 6 weeks but he got over it and we got back to a healthy life balance for mom! Don't let people make you feel bad for taking care of you.
He's ONE, you can not UNLESS you follow him and take him back each time! He's ONE.....some kids who are FOUR or FIVE would not be so cooperative.
Is there an older child you know that your little one also knows that might be able to go be in the child watch with you??
Another idea would be to have your whole family lol ( you, older child and 1 yo) spend some time in the child watch together. The staff shouldn't have a big prob if you tell them what you are tryign to do. It would probably take a few weeks and i would start with only 5 mins at ta time and work up to 10 mins, then work up to moving out of veiw of the little one, then walking out of the room and coming back. that sort of thing. But like i said i doubt it would be a quick process.
Childwatch can be super loud and busy? anychance you could just trade off with another mother, or hire a one hour babysitter??
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See if you can find someone to watch her at home for that short of time until she gets used to being left other places for shorter times. I had a few like that. They outgrow it and someday they don't need you anymore. :-(
Hi, Mom:
Get a babysitter for your home.
Good luck.
D.
Leave her with a sitter at home where she is in a comfortable, familiar environment.
I would do something else, like find a stroller strides group or a mommy and me class where you can do yoga and other exercises with your child. I think what your child is telling you is that right now is not a good time for her to be left in the gym. Can you get a sitter to come to your home during that time instead? My daughter cried so hard at 8 mo. with her own grandmother that they had to call us to get her from the church nursery.
It took my son about six to eight weeks before he was happy to go in child watch. They never had ro get me, but he would cry at drop off. He does better if I hand him to someone and don't just set him down with a quick goodbye. It also helps that it is the same people every week. They used to pass him around a lot and he liked if someone had him so he could look outside or go out when it was warm. I also tell him before we leave and as we get there that we are going to play with his friends and use the instructors names. It may take some time, but it does get better. Can both your kids ever go in together, that might make it easier on the little one.
I have always just left my kids with a sister at home. I know friends that leave their little's one. I have no idea how they got them to do it. I am going to start working on leaving my 2 year old, but he has been throwing so many tantrums lately, I can't bring myself to do it. I just knew he will put up a fight. I'm tired.
In my experience w/my SD & my own child, we had to try again when they were older (4).
In both cases, it just didn't work.
Our childcare would call us if they continued to cry for 15 mins.
I would try again later when your baby is older.
In the meantime, I would:
take your youngest in a stroller to the swim lessons (taking all the above
mentioned items to keep the baby satisfied: paci, food, bottle)
get your exercise in at a diff time when someone can watch both kids or
do exercise videos & weights at home.
Hang in there. This stage will soon pass.
Mine was the same way!! I just kept leaving her and eventually she got used to it. I didn't have lessons to contend with though. I'd bring her when you're not worried about being interrupted to get her. If they bring her to you no big deal. Just keep doing this routinely (every day if possible) and she'll get used to it and stop crying. That way you can hopefully make it through a swim lesson sooner than later. Good luck! Mine cried almost every day from 6 months to 18 months old. I never thought she was going to get used to it but she did. Separation anxiety is tough for them but to continue to stick to your routine is best. They'll understand that you leave but always come back.
