Swindling IKEA's free daycare: do you take advantage?

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  Posted by Angel Thu Jul 2, 2009 1:38pm PDT

  You go Amanda - well put!! I was going to make comments & you did a great job summing up what I palnned on saying!

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  Posted by starfedra Thu Jul 2, 2009 1:40pm PDT

  Amen Amanda...!!!

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  Posted by Oscar Thu Jul 2, 2009 2:23pm PDT

  It's better than dropping them off at a mall for several hours while they roam around doing God knows what and with who.

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  Posted by opiniononly Thu Jul 2, 2009 2:59pm PDT

  Great point made Texostoma...the idea of leaving young kids in a controlled, supervised day care area while you shop in the same store is a heck of a lot better than dropping off the tweeners and teens at the mall to roam far and wide with no clue what they are doing. Better to let a person babysit than a building.

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  Posted by JoKTM Thu Jul 2, 2009 6:19pm PDT

  I think that as long as you are staying at the location providing the service that is a wonderful bonus. All locations that provide child care service run back ground checks on the employee providing the service, they MUST have child care experience and they are able to contacts you. Some locations give you the little pagers resteraunts give that light up and beef if they need you, and some places run your name at the bottom of a long scree, or do a vocal paige if they need you. Oh, and I promise every store has phone # so you can call the child care area if you need some peace of mind.

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  Posted by bubble2 Fri Jul 3, 2009 12:01am PDT

  oh this just gets so good, ummm mefreeburg in case you havent noticed it does say parenting in here so why are you even in here if you are not a parent. You comment shouldnt matter and yes i know its a free country and you can put whatever you want to. As far as leaving your child in a store that you are not planning to by something in well thats just wrong, Im sure the caregiver does not get paid to watch the children of non shoppers. That daycare is for shoppers. I understand that yes parents do need breaks once in awhile but there are other options. Friends, other moms family members or take the children to mommys day out most churches have these now for parents.

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  Posted by Mrs. Carol B Fri Jul 3, 2009 11:44am PDT

  Nice idea. None of these around where I live. I know a lot of parents that could use them.

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  Posted by allee Sat Jul 4, 2009 12:21pm PDT

  We lived in michigan. There was a new Ikea store with a kids play area. it was always packed. always. and I was always iffy about leaving my daughter there. the one time i thought it would be good for her to burn off some kid energy and give me a very much needed break. they said she was still too young!! haha, so she never even got to go.

  I just moved to Italy with our now almost 4yr old. One of the first things we did was go to Ikea for some things for our new apartment and a toddler bed. My husband has been here for months living with practically no furniture , only one towel and not myuch else. lol.

  So after an entire day of travveling, being cooped up in tiny airplane seats , we get to the store and our daughter sees the play area. So we thought let her play. not because we needed a break, but because SHE needed a break. A little time to run and play with other kids in a supervised enclosed area. My husband and I did some shopping, had a coffee and got to talk after a long 8 months apart. We were both worried and went to get her long before the time was up. But we stood and watched her for a few minutes before letting her see we were there. She was having a lot of fun considering she did not understand a single word of Italian being said to her.

  When we did come back for her about 25 min later the attendants had gotten the handful of kids together at a table to do little paper crafts, she was so proud of her artwork. and the attendants said she was great.

  I think the occasional play area, for a parent kid/break is a good thing. provided it is within reason. never excessive. and only for short time periods.

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  Posted by Karen Mon Jul 6, 2009 4:36am PDT

  I let my child play at IKEA once but couldn't bring myself to leave the viewing window as I did not personally know the person who was watching the children. I would never telll any other parent how to raise their child and would never judge anyone else's decision. However, I know what is right for me and my family. Leaving my child with someone I just "pass them off" to is unacceptable to me. Having no idea of the character or criminal background of a child care professional (and I don't think the word "professional" would even come into play concerning an Ikea employee)makes me too nervous to not watch every move while my plays. Additionally, we think of places like the Ikea play place mentioned in this article as just that, play places and we supervise play to the extent that we don't let our child out of our site, but let her have the fun and interaction she needs. Other child care scenarios that are "no-no's" for us are hotels and vacation spots that offer "sitters" for your children. Give me a break. You are ther on vacation and are never going to see these people again, and you don't know them in the first place. How important is it to go to dinner alone with your aposuse, especially if you've brought your child with you on vacation in the first place. I definitely need a "child free" break once in a while and do take them, but always leave my child with family or other trusted moms who trade off breaks with me watching their kids. This is just how I operate.

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  Posted by Dreamer Mon Jul 6, 2009 6:37am PDT

  Why, as mothers, do we have to be so judgmental of each other? Good lord!

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