I put dd in her jumper for 30-40 min. 4x/wk so I could work out?(She's 1yr.)I'm having a hard time fitting it in! We have a treadmill and a bowflex that I used to use religiously (before dd ) but anymore I can't seem to get them in. When it's not so terribly humid we can't breathe, we walk outside and then on those days I do bowflex when she naps or sometimes with her in the room. But if not, the treadmill is in the room next to hers so I can't do that while she's napping. I was talking to dh about it and he suggested putting in one of her videos (she has a grand total of 3 and has only seen them about 1x each, I'm kind of particular about TV) while she's in her jumperoo (she loves that still) while I use the treadmill. I know I will feel guilty but it seems like a good idea, too. What do you think? GEtting up early to treadmill is not an option since a)it's next to her room and b) I wouldn't get up early anyway!

By Heaventree on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 10:29 pm:

We have a saucer, Matt is now 16 months old and he still goes in it. I give him a smoothy and put on Clifford in the morning and hop in the shower. He's happy and I smell good. I leave the door open so I can poke my head out every minute and I can still hear him.

I don't see the harm as long as she's safe and happy. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Personally I don't get that whole mommy guilt thing.

Just my 2 cents.

By Jann on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 10:36 pm:

If she's is happy, I don't see why not. My ds LOVED the Johnny Jump up. He hated being on the floor. He was so much happier being up and looking around. My dd prefered being on the floor on her back or in her swing.

By Mommmie on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 11:36 pm:

No, of course you won't be a bad mommy for showing your child that you have things to do too and she needs to be content with herself for a bit. There are times when we all need to park our kids (just wait until you get the flu and need to rest).

By Frasersmama on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 11:38 pm:

You are a great mommy, and what a great example you are role modeling by taking time to keep yourself healthy and happy. Mommy and DD are exercising together !

By Imamommyx4 on Friday, July 1, 2005 - 01:04 am:

If you don't take a few minutes out for yourself, given baby is happy and safe, you might turn into a bad mommy. If it is good for your health, then it is good for your baby, too.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, July 1, 2005 - 07:32 am:

Ditto everyone! Don't start the mommy guilt thing! Your kids will grow up learning they can make Mom feel guilty for doing anything FOR herself and NOT for them. And you will have a tough time breaking that cycle. You DO need time for yourself and I agree you are setting a good example by taking care of YOU!

By Kernkate on Friday, July 1, 2005 - 07:35 am:

Deanna, just so she is happy, you need some Mommy time to You are in no way a bad Mom for doing it!

By Reds9298 on Friday, July 1, 2005 - 11:10 am:

Thanks for the support! I guess in the back of my mind I'm just thinking "I'm sticking my kid in front of a video" and that bugs me. But it IS for a good reason, and when she can be in the room with me doing it when she's older and has more self-control, then she will be. Right now it's just too dangerous.

Am I the only one whose constantly feeling guilty as a mom??
Thanks everyone!

By Kaye on Friday, July 1, 2005 - 11:51 am:

Okay here are my thoughts...it is not bad to take some time to yourself. But will she be in the same room as you are in? I don't advise parking her in a different room. Then I would skip the video, crank up some music and sing and talk with her while you work out. I would also try to vary what she is parked in, so she doesn't immediately think, oh no this means mommy is going to work out. I would only worry about that if you notice she is getting fussy.

By Debbie on Friday, July 1, 2005 - 11:58 am:

When my ds's were babies, I would put them in their swing in front of my treadmill, turn on the radio and they were usually happy for about 30-40 minutes while I walked. As long as you are in the same room so you can keep an eye on her , as Kaye mentioned, and she is content, then there is nothing wrong with it. When my ds's were just too fussy, I would wait until dh got home to walk.

By Reds9298 on Friday, July 1, 2005 - 11:59 am:

She will be in a different room. I can try her in her jumperoo in the same room with me, but no tv there. Also, yes she may get fussy with no video to watch. She doesnt' LOVE her jumperoo, but likes it. I put her in it in front of the Wiggles once a week when I sweep the house, primarily because she is terrified of the vacuum and being there seems to help her.
Also, the room with the treadmill is really the room that has the most 'no' things...computer, dog cages (some sharp corners), and the treadmill. She would have to be confined somehow if she's in here with me.
Maybe I will do both....sometimes with a video in the jumperoo and sometimes in here with me in the jumperoo. I just don't think she will tolerate it for 30min. with no tv to watch.

All other baby contraptions (except playyard) are stored because she got to the point where she hated being in her exersaucer. The jumper is the last thing she still likes. Playyard ticks her off after about 5 min., although I might be able to use it to vary what she's in if I put some cool toys in there with her and have the music on. She loves to dance.

Kaye, you've given me some variation ideas. Thanks!

By Frasersmama on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 06:18 pm:

I don't think it is a big deal if she is in another room, just maybe put the baby monitor in with her so you can keep an ear on her. Enjoy your run

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:14 am:

You know what? I wouldn't worry about the video thing, either. My kids have grown up watching videos and television and are now 6 and 9 (this month). Even though I have set no limitations on television, they are outside playing whenever they possibly can. And when they aren't doing that, they are usually doing something else besides watching television.

With some kids, making a big issue out of something will just make it worse. The whole, it's more attractive when you can't have it, kind of attitude.

If you feel fine letting your child watch videos, then go for it. Mine watched them everyday, but this doesn't mean they didn't do other stuff all day, too.

By Paulas on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 12:06 pm:

I wouldn't worry about the video thing but I would probably worry that she was in a jumper without you being able to see her.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 05:17 pm:

I wouldn't worry about the video thing, either. You are spending time with her, the rest of the day, so take a half-hour for yourself and let her watch tv. We had plenty of Kidsongs Videos, when my kids were little and they watched them a lot. It did allow me to do other things, like cook supper and stuff. My older daughter learned how to use the vcr, when she was only three! LOL! She never stuck anything in there, that didn't belong. I just showed her the arrow and which way it had to be facing. She had no trouble.