I am 10 months postpartum and started going to the gym a couple months ago to try to get in shape and feel better about myself after having a baby. For context the gym I’m going to has a childwatch where you can drop your kids off while you work out. I almost always go during times it is open so that I can drop my 3 year old off and I have my husband stay home with the baby.
There are a husband and wife who I have seen there several times. They always have their 3 small children with them. The 2 older ones run around and the youngest is in a car seat. This morning when I was working out the baby was crying and screaming for at least 30 minutes and the parents were just ignoring him.
The gym does have a rule against kids being in the upstairs weight area, so on my way out I let the front desk know that there was a baby crying upstairs. They let me know that they have had problems with that family in the past and they were asked not to bring their kids upstairs with them (the childcare center was open!!!) but they went over the employees and complained to the director and were told they could have their kids upstairs as long as they watched them.
I’m wondering if it would be wrong of me to also complain to the director or someone else in charge. I understand it can be hard to get a workout in when you have kids but I hate listening to a baby cry while I’m trying to work out. It was definitely bothering other people too. In my opinion if their kids can’t go in the child watch for some reason, the parents need to take turns going to the gym. I just want to make sure I’m not being a horrible person by complaining. It’s not something I would usually do but this is really bothering me.
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I am 10 months postpartum and started going to the gym a couple months ago to try to get in shape and feel better about myself after having a baby. For context the gym I’m going to has a childwatch where you can drop your kids off while you work out. I almost always go during times it is open so that I can drop my 3 year old off and I have my husband stay home with the baby.
There are a husband and wife who I have seen there several times. They always have their 3 small children with them. The 2 older ones run around and the youngest is in a car seat. This morning when I was working out the baby was crying and screaming for at least 30 minutes and the parents were just ignoring him.
The gym does have a rule against kids being in the upstairs weight area, so on my way out I let the front desk know that there was a baby crying upstairs. They let me know that they have had problems with that family in the past and they were asked not to bring their kids upstairs with them (the childcare center was open!!!) but they went over the employees and complained to the director and were told they could have their kids upstairs as long as they watched them.
I’m wondering if it would be wrong of me to also complain to the director or someone else in charge. I understand it can be hard to get a workout in when you have kids but I hate listening to a baby cry while I’m trying to work out. It was definitely bothering other people too. In my opinion if their kids can’t go in the child watch for some reason, the parents need to take turns going to the gym. I just want to make sure I’m not being a horrible person by complaining. It’s not something I would usually do but this is really bothering me.
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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I’m worried it would be rude to complain to the manager about this family. Im usually not someone to complain or anything so this is a really awkward situation
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
NTA but if the director told them they are allowed to have their kids there i doubt it will do you much good to escalate this.
NTA that’s unacceptable
YWNBTA. The entitlement of these parents to presume anyone would be okay with listening to a screaming baby while kids run around is astounding.
NTA
Escalate this.
No kids in weight rooms is for safety reasons. It does not matter how well behaved they are. Whoever OK’ed that needs to be reprimanded.
YWNBTA that would drive me to change gyms and they should know that
NTA. The director may rethink his policy if he gets enough complaints against it. It’s a major danger for them to be up there. If a child gets injured or a hand crushed in the machines the parents could sue the hell out of the gym. Probably something the director hasn’t thought of.
NTA, goto the director or higher if necessary. Ridiculous with childcare center available.
NTA. A gym is neither a nursery nor a playground. Some places should just be for adults or at least have strictly enforced family hours. Nobody should have to put up with a shrieking baby or screaming feral children.
NTA
If there is someone above the director, let them know. The children can not only hurt themselves, but other gym goers as well.
Reporting child neglect never makes you an asshole.
NTA, leaving a baby crying for 30 minutes in a public place is unacceptable
NTA
Letting kids run around in an area where people are lifting heavy weights is beyond foolish and an accident waiting to happen.
Letting a baby cry for thirty minutes is extremely disruptive to other patrons. They don’t get to ruin everyone else’s workouts. They could take turns like you suggested. They could do home workouts.
You are not a bad person for making a complaint.
Nta. The gym has rules for a reason, and it’s not fair for everyone else to deal with screaming baby while trying to work out. If childwatch is available and they choose not to use it, that’s on them. You’re well within your rights to complain.
Omg. NTA so hard. I would double down to the director that this is a safety issue!
If the director dismisses this, straight to management. There is a REASON that kids aren’t allowed to be in gyms. And the reason is safety.