By Renee Martinez
I never really thought of myself as a germaphobe, I subscribe to the belief that there are germs everywhere and that anti-bacterialing your world only makes it worse when you are exposed to bad germs because your body hasn’t built up immunity.
Then there are childcare rooms at places such as the gym. Some of them seem to be rather clean and well run. The gym that I belong to, for example, requires 24 hour reservations so they can keep the ratios low and a higher level of attention on the children who are there. I appreciate this. The area seems well kept, the women appear attentive and there is a separation between the infants/toddlers and the bigger kids. Unfortunately, since I hardly ever go to the gym, I don’t really use it much.
So I decided to work with this trainer who is said to be very good for people who run. I’m interested in improving my speed, making sure I’m running with proper mechanics in mind, building some muscle etc…. Unfortunately, I had to go to her gym to train with her and let me tell you – their childcare program is not the same as at my gym. It’s ridiculous.
Yesterday, I went for the second time. The first time it wasn’t very busy, but after yesterday, I won’t be returning. I walked in and saw two women watching TV and chatting with one another while the herd of children ran around screaming. I recognized one of the ladies as a woman who worked at the place I used to play tennis at, but subsequently left because I couldn’t stand the childcare. She was crabby then and still is now. The other fairly young girl in her 20’s was miserable as well on both occasions. But as I said, the first time I used the service, it worked fine despite their bad attitudes.
So yesterday I bring in all four boys. I did my workout and upon returning found the child room in total chaos. Kids screaming, the air thick with a nice aged poop smell and my 8 year-old pretty much watching my 1 year-old while the 3 and 6 year olds colored nicely. The bitchy women meanwhile, were chatting, watching TV and one of them was holding a child.
I nearly lost it.
Of course I had to comment on the craziness, and the ladies, indifferent to the situation shared with me that my 8 year-old seemed to be having fun playing with the baby. I went to the manager to share my concerns, but he too was indifferent about the quality of care provided. I will say that the assistant manager who was present when I complained initially to the ladies was concerned and agreed that it was out-of-control; he even offered to comp the care next time. But, as you can imagine, there won’t be a next time, so he can keep his $5.
What concerned me is that had my 8 year-old not been there, who or how would they have watched my baby? These programs aren’t much help if the care is so lacking. I guess I’m not so desperate for a workout or time alone that I need to use this type of program. I’ll stick with childcare at places I can trust and with people who seem to like their job and like watching children.
About the Author: Renee Martinez consults and speaks professionally on social media marketing, integrated marketing communications, public relations and branding. She is the president of Ruby Marketing Communications (www.rubymarcom.com), a boutique marketing communications company that specializes in providing branding, social media strategy and integration, and creative services. Her blog (www.lisac95.sg-host.com), provides resources on everything marketing and social media for her active audience.
Renee has contributed as a featured monthly columnist in the monthly jewelry industry publication, JCK on matters related to internet marketing as well as in InStore Magazine as a featured blogger where she writes about developing effective marketing strategies for the jewelry industry using social media. She is the founder of: Social Media Biz Summit (www.socialmediabizsummit.com), the first large-scale SM conference to come to Buffalo, NY; #jewelrychat, a weekly twitter chat for the jewelry industry and www.RaisingBoysWorld.com. Renee teaches social marketing courses at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY for the business school as well as offers small group social media marketing training and educational seminars for businesses in Western New York and beyond.
Renee has dabbled in internet marketing arena since the early 90′s and is not ashamed to call herself a “marketing geek”. From chatting in AOL, “sharing” music on Napster, and teaching HTML classes before it was considered “cool” to developing comprehensive social media strategies, effective public relations campaigns and managing online communities (most recently Chevy Girls Buffalo).
She enjoys being able to help people find their voice online and to create buzz about their product or service that will give them the results they desire.
Renee can be found on Twitter (@reneemmartinez) and Facebook (http:/www.facebook.com/RubyMarCom).
