"That Mom"

A few months ago we switched gyms. We found something closer, cheaper and newer so it was a no-brainer for us. We took a tour; nice equipment, great classes, big locker room, fun childcare center. We were sold on the spot. And we have loved the "gym" aspect of it. But, I had a little issue in the back of my head with the childcare from the first day I dropped Silas off there. Great employees, fun toys, but the system was terrible. No sign in sheet, no name tags, just a pile of diaper bags lined up on the counter, no accountability system, no pin numbers, they never asked us for our names or where we were going to be shall there be an emergency...nothing! For those of you who know me well, you know I am not one to confront. Confrontation is something I avoid at all costs. And plus, no one wants to be "That Mom"... you know, the overprotective helicopter mom who is always armed with Lysol and constantly has an issue with other people watching her children. I didn't bother to say anything until one Saturday morning when I came to pick up Silas and he was screaming in the Pack and Play with a poopy diaper. I asked how long ago he pooped and she said FORTY FIVE MINUTES AGO! Livid was an understatement. I marched back to the restrooms, while dodging the other 14 kids in the room, to change his diaper. Poor kid was basically dryheaving from crying so hard. I immediately turned into "That Mom" right then and there. After I cleaned him up I asked the worker why she didn't get me. She said they tried to page me. I told her I didn't hear anything. The other mom in the room who was also picking up her kids sided with me and said she heard nothing either. I asked what the child/adult ratio was supposed to be and all the employee said was, "I've had 20 kids in here by myself before." Genius response if you ask me!

I looked into the situation legally (remember, I'm That Mom) and fitness centers aren't licensed for childcare because technically the parents are in the vicinity. So, they can have as many kids to one child as they want. Stupid!

Joe went in the following Monday to talk with the manager and explained our concerns. I think if I went I would've had a hard time approaching the situation objectively (typical That Mom, I know!). Joe explained that we think they are understaffed and unorganized (in a nicer way, of course) and then brought up The Poopy Diaper For Forty Five Minutes situation. They said we weren't the first parents to bring up concerns and they were going to see what they could do to change things.

Things are much better which I'm thrilled about, but now I'm totally pegged as "That Mom". I'm pretty sure the front desk people see me walking across the parking lot and then send a secret code to the nursery staff so they know "That Mom" and her kid are on their way, get ready! They hurry up and throw another staff member in the nursery so there are two people in the room at all times and get out the flashcards so it's a learning rich environment. Ok, not really, but I am pretty sure they know me as the lady that made them have sign in sheets. And I think secretly the other moms are glad I said something so they didn't have to be "That Mom". You're welcome!!

Today I dropped of Silas and one of the employees told the other employee that we are the Italian family. I had to laugh because everyone knows the stereotypical Italian mom is "That Mom". I was going to turn around and say, "I'm only Italian by marriage, not blood" but I thought, what the heck....It's kind of fun being "That Mom."