[ladyseals]

Ok, hubby got me a gym membership (Yes, it is what I wanted, ) Anyway, he told me there was childcare and to ask about it when I go. I called and the first week of childcare is free. So i schwduled my first workout with my trainer. When I get there, they walk me and the kids to the 'daycare'. I have three kids and all together there were around 15 kids in a 8X12 room with no windows and a little old lady just sitting there in a chair. I really did not want to put them in there, but i did for a about 30 mins, just long enough for my trainer to talk to me about a few things. Then I ran to get my kids. The 'Daycare' is $2 per child, per day or $6 a day for me or I could do the $30 a month but it is a contract. There is NO WAY I am going to pay to have my kids locked up in a crowded, hot, stanken closet. But, by the time hubby gets home, it is to late to go workout and they are closed on sundays and they open too late for me to go early before hubby goes to work. I have been thinking and here is what I came up with. Please tell me which number you would do. Or, a suggestion.

My kids ages: son who is 6, son who will be 9 on July 9th, and daughter who will be 12 on August 13

1. Just go on saturdays and whenever hubby may get home in time for a quick workout

2. The gym is not far, so teach my daughter to babysit for 1 hour. (She is taller then me and pretty mature, my six year old may not listen to her that well though.

3. There is a library right behind the gym, I could let them go and read and use computers (daughter in charge) for about 45 mins

4. Only workout if there happen to be only a few kids in the 'daycare' and pay for the daily rate.

[BeckyScott]

What I would do (but then again, I like to cause a stink):

I would go back to the gym and find a manager or something. Tell them about the last time you were there, that many kids, etc etc, and ask them if that's typical. Maybe it was just a wierd fluke so many kids were there, or there was a substitute sitter that day, or something. Maybe usually there's five kids and an energetic sitter and craft projects.

If they say that it's typical, tell them you had no idea that was their idea of child care and that you may have made a mistake becoming a member of their gym. Tell them you're going with your option #4 and if it becomes a problem where you can't ever get in a workout, that you'll expect a refund on your membership.

I know that for me, your #2 option wouldn't work because the youngest won't listen to the oldest, and #3 our library won't let kids be there by themselves.

[patbruck]

here is how it works at my gym: there is a 'kids room' which is acutally a really big room with lots of different toys. it is staffed by one of the regular workers - NOT necessarily someone that likes/is good with kids. basically just a body there to make sure that the kids don't hurt themselves or kill one another. there are no art projects or anything, like I said before, basically just a babysitter.

I do not like taking my 2 y/o there b/c 1) she always poops no matter what, 2) she tends to get sick more often when we go frequently, and 3) it is a pain enough to get myself out of the house - now try to get two people out the door.

to resolve the issue, I started going in the early AM before my DH leaves for work. my gym is open at 5am so this works for me. mommy is very tired by the end of the day, but it's nice knowing that my workout is done first thing in the morning.

yes, I think 12 is old enough to babysit her younger siblings, esp. if it's just for an hour or so. the youngest will just have to learn that big sister is in charge. you could even pay her a couple of bucks to show that you are treating her as a serious babysitter, and hopefully she will take it seriously as well.

[Grettas3]

I agree with Patbruck...I would have the oldest bbsit for you. I have a 12 yr old girl and a 8 yr old boy and a 2 yr old girl. I have left my 12 yr old in charge of my 8 yr old (who is as stubborn as they come!) many times, even once for about 4 hours...they ere fine and enjoyed the responsibility. I haven't left them with the 2 yr old yet, only because my daughter refuses to change diapers ...cant blame her on that one.

I bet your daughter might like the feeling of being in charge, the youngest will learn to respect her authority.

[FirealSwords]

I would have your oldest watch the youngest. They are both old enough to understand that they will have to get along for a short time. I wouldn't expect the gym to refund you because they would tell you that it was your responsibility to look into the childcare situation before you signed a contract, and in all honesty, there's nothing WRONG with the childcare, you just don't PREFER it. Not to sound like I'm on their side (I pretty much find fault in ANY childcare situation- which is why I don't allow anyone to watch my 2! I'm super picky.) I just don't think that they will side with you and let you out of the contract. My gym contract had a clause that said you could cancel within 3 days, and aside from death or proof that I had moved more than 50 miles away, I was SOL on breaking the contract.

[chelle23662]

If you teach her to babysit and lay down the law that your oldest is in charge while you are gone, things should go fine!! I agree to pay them a little something, maybe $5 each time, just so that she treats it more as a "job" and takes it seriously. Best of luck to you!