These days, I’m back at the gym. I should spill the beans before you say, “Good for you!” I am actually standing around not doing any exercise, unless marching in a circle and yelling “Hip Hip Hooray!” counts. Occasionally, we go counterclockwise, jump in a circle, and shake our hips, so that may burn a few extra calories.
No, this is not a lazy person’s version of Zumba. This gym class is for toddlers. I just participate by default. Every week, I take my daughter to My Gym for an exercise class. The one-hour class gives her much-needed structure through age-appropriate activities. It’s been the best experience for her! Each week, she gains strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem. I’ve seen a huge difference in her skills since she started class in April.
Maybe a little too much! Due to her embracing the skills she learned in class, she can now climb anywhere in my home. I recently found her on top of the bathroom counter with her entire body in the sink. She turned on the water, and was playing very happily with her toothbrush. Yes, her bottom was soaked. Gym class grade for climbing: A-Plus-Plus.
Unlike her brother, I waited a long time to do an organized event with her. I guess we can chalk it up to being the second child, and other time and budget priorities. As a first-time mom, I had my son in music and gym classes at six months old. It was my chance to meet other moms and seek some companionship as a stay-at-home mom. When my daughter was born, I already had a full plate and an older child to entertain her. Going to a class when she was as young as my son would have been more of a headache for me than fun. I waited this time until she was about 16 months old. I’ve come to realize that his classes were more for me whereas her classes are strictly for her. I love talking to the moms each week, but I just as easily could be tackling items on my long to-do list. And just because he got an earlier start certainly didn’t mean he was more advanced at her age now, either.
My son has had to go to class with us this summer since he’s out of school. We sometimes let him participate in small snippets, but it’s my daughter’s time to shine and have some one-on-one time with me. We’ve learned that she is quite the agile child, especially when she practices her skills at home. She’s become quite the little monkey.
Who knows? I may just find her swinging from our chandeliers next. She certainly knows how to climb on the table. Even though the classes have brought out her inner monkey in the most curious way, it’s been money well spent. I’m so glad I took the time to get back in the gym.
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