As summer rolls in, I’m not alone in feeling that the whole “keeping an eye on them 24/7” gig is a bit much. Ever notice how the daycare (or as I call it, “Kiddo Corner”) at the gym is suddenly bursting at the seams? It used to accommodate just a handful of little ones, but now it’s overflowing with kids of all shapes and sizes. This is clear evidence that when school’s out, parents are just as eager to find a breather as they’ve always been.
Are you part of this club? Here are 10 tell-tale signs you frequent the gym to escape your little ones:
- You’ve memorized the Kiddo Corner hours and plan your other activities to maximize the time your kids can spend there.
- You know the names of all the staff members. They know yours, and your children’s names too. It’s like a sitcom, but with far less laughter and way more sticky fingers.
- You’ve headed to the gym solely for the luxury of a solo bathroom break.
- You’ve gone to the gym just to take a shower that lasts longer than two minutes without interruptions.
- You’ve settled in the locker room to enjoy some peaceful reading. Let’s be honest, you’ve even thought about hiding in the bathroom stall to dodge any judgmental glances.
- When you do manage to work out, you strategically avoid the machines near Kiddo Corner, fearing your child might catch a whiff of you and summon you back.
- You’ve tackled a diaper change in the locker room and discovered firsthand that the acoustics are not very forgiving for wailing infants.
- You’ve experienced the relief of watching a staff member walk right past you to find another parent instead of you. It’s like being in a car and seeing someone else get pulled over – you’re not happy for them, but oh, the relief!
- You’ve been that parent who gets interrupted just minutes into your workout because your child has to use the restroom, has had an accident, or is just being a little brat. While they might not admit it, they’ll use excuses like “I’m really tired” or “I’m having a rough day.” And yes, you’ve done the walk of shame back to Kiddo Corner, past other parents who are undoubtedly relieved it’s not their kid.
- You keep a swimsuit in your diaper bag just in case you “forget” your sneakers and “have” to relax in the hot tub instead.
If any of these resonate with you, then it’s likely you’re hitting the gym to escape your kids. And there’s no shame in that; we’re all just trying to survive! Now if only we could convince them to add a fully-stocked bar…
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Summary:
It’s clear that many parents hit the gym not just for fitness but as a creative escape from their children. From memorizing daycare hours to savoring solo bathroom breaks, these signs show how the gym serves as a sanctuary for many weary parents.