Anonymous
Post 05/31/2015 06:06     Subject: Re:DC's "classes" are killing me!
There are a lot of very defensive mothers who don't take their toddler to classes on this thread.

Poor OP only asked if there were any classes for toddlers where she didn't have to do anything and not sit on the floor because it hurt her back. In way too many cases, mothers attacked her because she took her baby to classes when they didn't. It isn't a competition, ladies.

No, OP - at your son's age any class I ever heard of requires parent participation. And you should ask a trainer or physical therapist for strength exercises for your back. I was sitting in bleacher seats this winter and couldn't believe how much my back hurt without support. I need to do the same.
Anonymous
Post 05/31/2015 06:01     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have an active nineteen-month-old boy and am a SAHM. I have him at two library story times, a Music Together class and a Mommy & Me each week. He loves them all and does need the socialization with other kids (he's our first and has no siblings at home yet). The problem is - the classes are physically exhausting to me! In each class the parent participates and sits on the floor (no back support) and even in story time I have to engage him and cajole him to stay seated (talking quietly about the book - "Oh, look at that - the butterfly loves the flower...") That on top of playing with him, reading to him and walking him all over town - I'm tired! I don't do any real housework during the day, it is all him. When he is napping I do his laundry and make a few things in the kitchen for his meals (steamed veggies and such) so I do get a good 30 to 40 minutes to rest - but that is it for the entire 10 hour day without DH.

Is there any activity where I can just sit and watch? And if not, how to I strengthen my back so that sitting on the floor without back support doesn't kill me?


It's not your kid who needs the classes, it's you. You are the one who needs to get out. I echo a pp whp said you need to consider if being at home full time is really what you want to do.


I don't understand this line of questioning. I have asked our nanny to take DC to four "classes" a week for his sake and she agreed. I don't see that this has anything to do with OP not loving being home with her son. Many people believe that toddlers need the stimulation and structure.
Anonymous
Post 05/31/2015 05:51     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
Anonymous wrote:I have an active nineteen-month-old boy and am a SAHM. I have him at two library story times, a Music Together class and a Mommy & Me each week. He loves them all and does need the socialization with other kids (he's our first and has no siblings at home yet). The problem is - the classes are physically exhausting to me! In each class the parent participates and sits on the floor (no back support) and even in story time I have to engage him and cajole him to stay seated (talking quietly about the book - "Oh, look at that - the butterfly loves the flower...") That on top of playing with him, reading to him and walking him all over town - I'm tired! I don't do any real housework during the day, it is all him. When he is napping I do his laundry and make a few things in the kitchen for his meals (steamed veggies and such) so I do get a good 30 to 40 minutes to rest - but that is it for the entire 10 hour day without DH.

Is there any activity where I can just sit and watch? And if not, how to I strengthen my back so that sitting on the floor without back support doesn't kill me?


It's not your kid who needs the classes, it's you. You are the one who needs to get out. I echo a pp whp said you need to consider if being at home full time is really what you want to do.
Anonymous
Post 05/31/2015 05:41     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
I'm a sahm to a 17 month old. I'm in the same boat. DS loves getting out and going places but I find it completely exhausting. We do in-house play dates once a week-- those are easier for sure.
I hired a sitter who drives so that I can get a break mid-week. Sitter takes him to an activity/park.
I wish there was some sort of drop-in daycare or drop-off mothers morning out program around here. DS could use the socialization and I could use the free time....
Anonymous
Post 05/31/2015 04:55     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
child proof your house, or a portion of it, and sit in there with a book while your child plays. At first you'll need to ease him into it but after a while he'll get it. Not saying to never interact but in a 10 hour day you should get much much more than 30 minute break.
Anonymous
Post 05/31/2015 01:26     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
Anonymous wrote:Join a gym and take him to the childcare . That way you're exercising and he's socializing.

This. Drop one of the classes and get a personal trainer. Your back should not feel that strained by normal bending / lifting / carrying at your age. (I am assuming you're under 55.) Agree that you need core strengthening.
Anonymous
Post 05/30/2015 14:00     Subject: Re:DC's "classes" are killing me!
4 45 minute classes for an 18-24 month old? That's typical for a lot of kids. Yes, it is good for them, they learn patience, sharing, how to sit for a few minutes, how to be quiet and listen, etc. I'm sorry, by the time a child is 3 or 4, I expect that they will sit quietly by me in church for 10 minutes before going to junior church; we don't use the nursery, because there isn't anyone to staff it, and the kids don't need to yell and be heard upstairs. They each have a pad of paper and a crayon, a board book and one stuffed animal; even when it runs over and junior church doesn't start until after 15-20 minutes, the kids are fine.
Anonymous
Post 05/30/2015 13:59     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:WAY too many structured activities.

Developmentally, toddlers don't need that kind and amount of structure to learn.


Four a week is too many? I disagree 100%. Toddlers do need socialization and learn to sit and participate. That is the entire point of the classes. I do a lot of classes with my toddler, too. It adds structure to our day and like OP, I do them in the morning. In the afternoons, DD and I run around the park or go swimming.


No they don't.

Toddlers do not need that kind of structure to learn. It is developmentally inappropriate. Mom might need those classes for socialization but the toddler does not.


NP here and you are wrong, PP. They do need it and it is absolutely developmentally appropriate.

- signed a Preschool Teacher who can tell the poor little souls who have never been to a structured class and have mothers who believe as you do.


You sound like a lazy teacher. What do you think toddlers did before parents started going crazy over baby/toddler classes? My entire generation grew up with mostly stay at home moms and started pre-school at age 4, I guarantee our mothers were not taking us to gymboree and music together (those did not exist 30+ years ago), and we turned out just fine.


p.s. I'm a working mom, so yes, my child gets socialization, but she's 2 and is in a 100% play based environment, as she should be.
Anonymous
Post 05/30/2015 13:59     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:WAY too many structured activities.

Developmentally, toddlers don't need that kind and amount of structure to learn.


Four a week is too many? I disagree 100%. Toddlers do need socialization and learn to sit and participate. That is the entire point of the classes. I do a lot of classes with my toddler, too. It adds structure to our day and like OP, I do them in the morning. In the afternoons, DD and I run around the park or go swimming.


No they don't.

Toddlers do not need that kind of structure to learn. It is developmentally inappropriate. Mom might need those classes for socialization but the toddler does not.


NP here and you are wrong, PP. They do need it and it is absolutely developmentally appropriate.

- signed a Preschool Teacher who can tell the poor little souls who have never been to a structured class and have mothers who believe as you do.


You sound like a lazy teacher. What do you think toddlers did before parents started going crazy over baby/toddler classes? My entire generation grew up with mostly stay at home moms and started pre-school at age 4, I guarantee our mothers were not taking us to gymboree and music together (those did not exist 30+ years ago), and we turned out just fine.
Anonymous
Post 05/30/2015 13:56     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
He's 19 months? Wait 5 months and put him in preschool.
Anonymous
Post 05/30/2015 13:56     Subject: Re:DC's "classes" are killing me!
Another SAHM mom posted a thread in the nanny forum asking us for recommendations on exercises to help her.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/nanny-forum/posts/list/310542.page
Anonymous
Post 05/30/2015 13:52     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
Anonymous wrote:Bring one of those folding crazy creek chairs. You are still sitting directly on the floor, but with back support. The original one is under $30.

http://www.crazycreek.com/backpacking-hiking-camp-chairs/




My 75 year old FIL sits in that. You'd be laughed out of music together. Seriously.
Anonymous
Post 05/30/2015 13:51     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
You can't sit cross legged on the floor for 40 mins? How old are you?

Ps - good luck if you have another boy
Anonymous
Post 05/30/2015 13:11     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
This thread is not about whether the classes are appropriate for the toddler. The op has identified where her body needs strengthening. This would exist even if she pulls her kid out of the classes. This thread should be focused on how to strengthen op's back.
Anonymous
Post 05/30/2015 13:06     Subject: DC's "classes" are killing me!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:WAY too many structured activities.

Developmentally, toddlers don't need that kind and amount of structure to learn.


Four a week is too many? I disagree 100%. Toddlers do need socialization and learn to sit and participate. That is the entire point of the classes. I do a lot of classes with my toddler, too. It adds structure to our day and like OP, I do them in the morning. In the afternoons, DD and I run around the park or go swimming.


No they don't.

Toddlers do not need that kind of structure to learn. It is developmentally inappropriate. Mom might need those classes for socialization but the toddler does not.


NP here and you are wrong, PP. They do need it and it is absolutely developmentally appropriate.

- signed a Preschool Teacher who can tell the poor little souls who have never been to a structured class and have mothers who believe as you do.


Wait, preschool isn't early enough to teach structure? When did that happen?

I don't think a preschool teacher should have the expectation thst preschoolers are supposed to arrive having already learned how to be preschoolers. And my 3 yo son does have some structured class experience.