Gym Newbie and Childcare Issues

Kristen8912 · October 2017

Hi all,
I've lost 35+lbs over the last several months just by changing my diet. I have finally reached a point where I feel comfortable going to the gym. I have gone three times and actually enjoyed it.

However, my youngest has not enjoyed the gym childcare. She has cried the entire time. Twice, the staff came and got me after 10 and 15 minutes. The other time, there weren't a lot of kids there so a staff member held and rocked her for the entire hour during which she cried.

When I pick her up, she is very clingy for several hours afterwards. I am a stay at home and, before that, my parents watched her. She has never been in a childcare setting so I'm sure the childcare is fine and I'm betting it is just separation anxiety.

Has anyone been thru this? How did it get better? I really want to meet my goal of getting fit to accompany my weight loss but it breaks my heart leaving her crying the entire time...

Any help, guidance or insight would be very much appreciated.

kpkitten · October 2017

I'm not a mum so take the below with a pinch of salt.

If she's old enough, have you spoken to your daughter to explain why she's being left? When your parents looked after her to start with, did she react the same?

Does she have any toys or games she really likes that she can take with her? Can you associate going to the gym with playing with her favourite teddy?

What do you do when you're leaving her for other things? Is there a bedtime routine that would transfer to the gym setting? If you hardly ever spend time away from her outside the gym, maybe you need to build that up before you try the gym again.

Ironandwine69 · October 2017

You didn't mention how old your child is. But I can tell you is very common for young children to cry when starting a new daycare. As much as it breaks your heart, she will be fine and get used to it. If anything, I think it will be good for her since she stays home.
Don't give up, it's only been 3 times. She will get used to it.

busyPK · October 2017

What the previous posters asked, how old is your child? Her reaction is pretty normal since she isn't use to a daycare or babysitters beyond family so it will take some time for her to adjust. Talk to the gym daycare staff and let them know this is all new to her. Maybe let her take her favorite toy/stuffed animal/blanket with her for her to feel secure? If she is 2 years or older, maybe let her know afterwards she gets something she likes (yes I'm all for bribing when the need arises).

Aed0416 · October 2017

I started my daughter at gym drop off when she was 3 months old. It took going three times a week for the next three months to get her comfortable enough to last the 90 minutes I needed. So, keep trying some days will be better than others.

kenyonhaff · October 2017

Start small and do NOT feed angst energy into things.

Come to the day care and drop off and keep the dropoff brief. Crying may happen its ok.

Come back 10 minutes later. Leave again for 15 minutes. Come back.

Note....don't plan on any workout during this session. The focus is just to get used to being separated for brief periods.

Some kids have a harder time separating than others and that is not necessarily anything to worry about. But what will ALways make it worse is if the patent has angst, guilt or draws out the transitions.

gearhead426hemi · October 2017

Try to make it fun for her or if that doesn't work just use bribery. LOL. There is nothing wrong with letting a kid cry it out either so don't ever feel bad about letting them cry. Its like when most kids first start school, they freak out and cry and have meltdowns at first but after a couple weeks they forget to say goodbye and just go.

MostlyWater · October 2017

Are you a single mom? You might be better off doing exercise videos at home.
Can you go when she's in school or at daycare?

Gym Newbie and Childcare Issues

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