This is a GREAT reason to be glad that your Bunch is under the age of 3. Our gym--the YMCA--has a big sign on the locker rooms saying that once a child of the opposite sex is 4 they must go into the "family locker room." I didn't think much about it until my oldest turned 4. And was reminded again today when we all tried to maneuver in the family locker room at how discriminatory this really is towards . . . well, those with kids.
Whoever planned for the concept of a family locker room didn't plan for an actually FAMILY to be in there.....that is one parent with children of mixed gender who are all trying to change wet clothes (or get them into swimsuits) and keep track of children in in a teeny tiny bathroom stall, with a shower attached. Uh huh, that's right, the shower is part of this stall which means everything in it is nice and wet--the floor, the bench, the walls. Oh, don't worry, I have also been to several pools that only have one large bathroom to change into. Then it's great because you have to wait in line. Can I just tell you how long THAT can take? 15 minutes at least per family!
Today as a treat after my workout, I thought I would take both my kids to the pool since there were no swim lessons during spring break and the pool was empty. We spent more time in the changing room getting everyone into their swimsuits, looking for goggles at the bottom of the bag, trying to keep everyone from unlocking the door while I was completely naked and keeping everyone off the nasty wet floor. My kids have some attraction to dirty floors.
After about 15 minutes of this game, we swim. For 25 minutes. Then we start the reverse process all over. Only this time everyone is so wet it makes changing only that much more difficult in a 5' x 5' wet locker stall. Eventually after I wriggled my kids into some clothes, I let them play in the lockers adjacent to the stall so at least I could get dressed.
Really? Who thought this concept was a good idea? I guess it beats taking my 5-year old into the Ladies Lockeroom because then I'd have to listen to tales of what he saw (covered up with giggles) for the next few weeks.
As a veteran buncher, my advice would be to take an extra beach towel (or the biggest towel you've got) and an extra plastic grocery bag.
I wouldn't use it before swimming, since they're about to get in the pool anyway. I would put their swimming suits on UNDER their street clothes, so I could just strip 'em and go. My kids have NO patience when it comes to swimming. So you get them mostly ready at home, then take them to the Y, you work out, etc. They play in the childcare area, I presume. When it's time to go swim, just strip the kids, change your clothes and go. When you return to the "Family" room, stick the towel on the floor to prevent slips, tell them that the alligators will nibble their toes if they don't stay on the towel (my kids love that sort of stuff), change them out of suits (don't forget to pack underwear!!), get everyone dressed, stuff the beach towel into the plastic bag you brought for the purpose, get yourself changed, and you're good to go.
I think four is an appropriate age to start keeping preschoolers out of opposite sex locker rooms, personally. I know my 3.5 year old is really body conscious right now. She even said, loudly, in a crowded public restroom, "Mommy, why does your bottom have hair?" the other day. I can only imagine what the other people in the restroom were picturing!!
Posted by: Amy | Apr 10, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Can I just give you a big ol' Amen? I had back to back swim lessons for my daughter 2 1/2 year old daughter and my 3 1/2 year old son.
While our rec center allows you to bring children up to 6 years old into an opposite sex bathroom, I didn't feel right not using the family changing area.
The absolute worst part of the morning was after my daughter's swim lesson. (We were both wet as it was a daddy/daughter). The changing rooms are small and the lockers are across the room. There are people coming in for the next lesson camped out in the changing room most of the time and it's pretty much a debacle. It would take me 30 minutes after the lesson to get my daughter ready to go out to the car where my wife was ready to pick her up and drop off our son. He and I spent about 10 minutes in the changing room counting before AND after. What a difference.
I think the worst part is that you have some folks who treat the family changing room as if it was their own bathroom. One woman consistently took up four stalls with three children and herself. They all showered and conditioned as if they were going to the prom. I just wanted to get dry clothes on and get out of there.
Posted by: Mark L. | Apr 10, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Where is this location?
I am curious which city and state are you from. It sucks that the only pool available is at your local Y.
I don't know why people make these rules, everybody is different, some people are disabled.
Perhaps you can tell the local gym your concerns and organize other members the same.
There should be legislation preventing obscure rules like this, let the parent make the call, everybody can't be happy and everyone is not always right.
In Europe primarly countries like germany there are no seperate gendered lockers in normal sense.
People and kids should not confuse nudity with sexualty.
Posted by: Rachel | Apr 18, 2009 at 05:01 PM