Toddler Buzz
>> Toddler Buzz
Free Day Care: Do You Ever Take Advantage?
July 1, 2009 at 3:11 PM by Cafe Kim - Comments (15)
I was amused to read that parents in the New York area are bringing their kids to a free day care service offered at furniture store IKEA—even if they aren't shopping for furniture! Some say it's a relaxing "date night" for them and their spouse: They can relax on the couches for 45 minutes while their kids have fun in the day care center.
This reminds me of a story a friend of mine told me the other day. Her gym offers free day care as part of the monthly membership fee. Although she (obviously) adores her 2-year-old, sometimes she will go to the gym—even if she doesn't feel like working out!—just to have a 30-minute break from her daughter.
Obviously, parents love their kids, but it seems that sometimes they need an escape plan, if only for a few minutes.
I'm wondering how common these free day care services are in most areas. I know of a few grocery stores, retail stores, health clubs, gyms, and churches that offer free day care services to customers/members.
Do you ever take advantage of free day care?
FILED UNDER: child care
Comments:
No thanks. I wouldn't trust any of those places to watch my kid. If I need a 30 minute break THAT bad, I'll turn on a video for him and veg on the couch.
I agree with aurorabunny. I used to have a gym with a free daycare service but I only went to the gym on my hour long lunch break. They were right across the street from one another. Since I worked full time it was a nice trick to get back in shape without missing out on quality time with the kiddies!!!
Church nursery definitely. I've also left my daughter at the YMCA daycare while working out. I'm more into babysitting swaps with friends. Still free, and I don't have to work out during my break!
I don't think I would leave my kids there.
Not me. I don't trust strangers to watch my kids.
I worked at the YMCA child watch program and I don't feel as thought there is anything wrong with it. They do an awesome job (well the one I worked at did). And I have left my daughter in the church nursery as well but other then that no thank you. I don't like leaving my daughter with people I don't know either. If I need a break my husband watches our daughter for me or I see if grandma wants to spend some time with her.
no
I don't like to leave my children with strangers. I use the church nursery, but I always know at least one of the babysitters, if not more than one.
My kids always BEG to stay in the play area at Ikea but I feel bad unleashing my heathens onto those poor, unsuspecting employees, lol. Plus my youngest isn't big enough to be in there so it doesn't seem fair to just drop off the older 3.
I've never used any of those kind of day cares. I would do it more because the kids would enjoy a place like that rather then just trying to get away from them. My kids are old enough (9, 7 1/2, 6 1/2 and 3) that I can leave them at home with my dad and go for a walk if I need a break. As long as they are behaving he'll keep an eye on them for a couple hours so I can get away. I don't do it often because he has a bad back and they stress him out but he doesn't mind once in awhile.
Want to leave a comment and join the discussion?
Sign up for CafeMom and become a member. As a member you'll be able to leave comments, join groups, write journals, share photos, and more. Already a member? Click here to log in.
Or, leave a guest comment (guest comments are moderated and won't appear immediately)
Around CafeMom
Stay in touch with CafeMom wherever you are
My gym has a day care and it is the only thing that gets me to go there
HopeHelvete Jul. 1, 2009 at 5:07 PM