gymboree

i am thinking about getting my kids to gymboree so we can get out of the house a little more and in a safe environment where they can just wear themselves out and not have the same old things they do when they are home with the same old toys and same old routine of playing with the toys and mommy :laughing:

also besides gymboree what do you do?

how do you do it by yourself.

i am nervous about gymboree and places like story time because one goes one way the other goes the other way. how do you handle going out with the twins by yourself and where do you go.

 

We love the Little Gym. My kids have gone there since 10 months. We love to get out and about and I've found classes are the best way to do it and keep them safe, so we've done The Little Gym consistently. We've also done Kindermusik, art and music through our community center, and we love our library's story time. They do age appropriate stories, puppets, flannel board etc. We try to average 2-3 classes a week, just to keep me sane. I'm just in the process of putting a little fall schedule together for us.

In terms of keeping them safe, those places are usually a confined room where you can always see the other one and the other moms and teachers are usually really kind in terms of helping me. I feel a little frazzled sometimes, and wish I could spend the one on one time with each child that the other moms do, but it works out great and we get into a rythmn. The first class or two is usually the hardest and then you all get used to the routine and it works out. I find that a couple classes a week helps break up the routine and I love being around the other kids and moms.

 

We joined Gymboree at 10 months and I swear it has saved my sanity.

Ours is within walking distance and I take them 3-4 times a week. Once a week is for an actual Play Class with other babies their age, the others are during the open play times. Most of the other moms there, as well as the instructors, are attentive to all the kids as they play. Just yesterday another mom lifted Baylinn off a rocking horse because she was stuck, and I was holding on to Breena as she climbed on something else a few feet away. On some days the girls are everywhere and it's a bit stressful, but on other days they like to just sit and watch the big kids play so I can actually relax a little and chat with other moms. In our Play Class there are two other sets of twins, so that's nice too.

One day per week we take a trip to the mall for lunch at the food court and to just walk around. Another day is usually for groceries. I used to go out more, but with gas prices so crazy I've limited the amount of driving we do around town. It is also REALLY hot here in Florida right now, and we all get cranky getting in and out of a smokin' hot car umpteen times!

Mine still nap twice a day, so some things are hard to get too because of naptime. There is a storytime at our library and something else a mom was telling me about today called Music with Mar....but both are during their morning naps.

 

Maybe Gymboree is different everywhere, but the one by me won't let one parent bring two children. The one time I tried it with my girls, I had to bring a friend. As a result, it's not a practical get-out-of-the-house solution for us.

I take them to story time at the library. It's not as hard as you'd think with two. They learn pretty quick to stay by you. The park is another good place to go alone. I take them to the local soccer field at the park and let them run and push their push toys until they're tired out. The zoo is also good if you have one nearby, as are botanical gardens. We have a great system of gardens in our city and I get my girls out of the stroller and let them roam around looking at flowers.

Good luck getting out with your twins. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.