How do you manage "classes" for younger children when there are older siblings
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Anonymous
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I was very disappointed to learn that one of our favorite kids' venues does not allow for older siblings to sit on the floor/play area during class time. (I completely understand that there are liability waivers for each child, and that each child who plays must be a paying member). But my 18 month old's 5 year old sibling was not allowed to sit with me during a gym class because siblings are not allowed on the play floor. It's summer and I don't have a sitter to watch my 5 year old during my 18 month old's class time.
Are there any venues in MoCo where siblings are welcome, or where families can be together during the course of an indoor playtime? Specifically I am looking for indoor play areas for kids of all ages. Thanks! |
Anonymous
Find a family that you can trade child care with for the 5 year old. |
Anonymous
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Play with your 5 year old or have them watch a movie- I have also had this struggle.
Gymnastics places will have classes for all ages. |
Anonymous
| Find classes that you can schedule when the other parent is available to spend time with your older child, or find a play area/ class that has classes for both at the same time (usually by 5, they don’t need parental involvement). |
Anonymous
| The honest answer is that most people don't. Youngest kid doesn't know any different and can't talk to complain, so … |
Anonymous
+1 Your 18 month old doesn't need the class and neither do you. |
Anonymous
| We've never had this problem. DC1 has waited with me during DC2's ballet, violin, choir, and gym. |
Anonymous
Yep. I have 4 kids and the only time the younger 3 got to take "classes" like Gymboree, is when their older sibling was in preschool. For a very short time when it was just our older two, we did "classes" on weekends so the one parent could stay with each child. |
Anonymous
| Also, since it's summer, it shouldn't be that hard for you to find a sitter--school is out so lots of teens would love a regular babysitting gig. |
Anonymous
Yep. Classes for an 18 month old are a first/only child thing for the most part. |
Anonymous
| Is this a class where you are on the floor participating with your 18 mo old? My kids went to a kid gymnastics place where there was a seating area that was not the gym floor but overlooked it and then an even larger area that was not overlooking the gym floor that had a play area with toys and more tables and chairs, and a little kitchenette with snacks and drinks you could buy. The reception desk was in that area. Is there no area with chairs where your 5 yr old and you can sit? Or is the issue that you need to be with your toddler on the gym floor? My older child went with us to everything but we did wait to start swimming lessons until my youngest could go in to a class without me. It sounds like the problem here is that they don't have chairs for people to wait on the side or outside of the gym area. |
Anonymous
I meant we waited on swim lessons for my youngest until he could go in without me. I couldn't do infant swim classes with the youngest at the same time as my older kid's lessons because the lessons were staggered by 15 min. There was no way I could have watched my 4 yr old while I was in the pool in a lesson with the baby. |
Anonymous
This! My first had one activity per day - baby gym, music, toddler art, science, preschool prep. He did it all. Second child did none. Second child did go to way more interesting outings like zoos, museums and aquariums. Second child is more athletic than older child and started sports early. I now have a third child. My older kids are in school. We have done some trial classes but I haven’t signed her up for anything. We do library time, meet my friends for lunch, go to nature centers and playgrounds. She starts preschool in the fall. |
Anonymous
| I only did classes for my younger child that were scheduled while the older child was at preschool. |
Anonymous
| Classes for an 18-month-old are largely a waste of good money. |