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

From the Community…

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  Posted by T Thu Jul 2, 2009 8:12am PDT

  This is so ironic..my cousin just say this the other day, that she does the same thing in Ikea. For parents that are constantly around their kids, 45 minutes to themselves is pure heaven.

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  Posted by SharonW Thu Jul 2, 2009 9:53am PDT

  I think "swindling" is not a fair word to describe this. Ikea is smart. They make it easy for parent to shop there. You may get some who are just there for the 45 minute break, but I would bet it helps their bottom line in the end.

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  Posted by Rowdygirl Thu Jul 2, 2009 11:04am PDT

  What about the idea that you're living your children with someone that you DON'T EVEN KNOW?

  People are so stupid...

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  Posted by starfedra Thu Jul 2, 2009 11:11am PDT

  I haven't yet but I would, I think it's a great idea, I am a stay at home mom and I adore my kids but once in a while I do get overwhelmed with the constant non stop demands of my little ones.

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  Posted by starfedra Thu Jul 2, 2009 11:25am PDT

  Rowdygirl7 : You leave your children at school with people you don't know, Is that stupid? If you have to work you leave them at daycare with people you don't know, Is that stupid? My son is in summer school at the local library along with other 20 children, we don't know the instructor, Are weall parents stupid? I leave my children in the day care area in my grocery store, there are cameras thru the whole store showing you what is going on in there, I think that's genius and I think you are stupid by judging other people decisions, we are talking about 45 min. in a store with a big budget that can afford to pay care givers in a very controlled area, Have you even been there? You should first go take a look and then open your mouth.

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  Posted by BeverlyHillBilly Thu Jul 2, 2009 12:02pm PDT

  My husband and I love IKEA and have left our 5yr old son there a few times, while we shopped though. Not simply for the daycare, although it would not be out of the question. To any critics out there...do you know just how hard it is to shop with kids! Well, when you do, then you will be grateful for these services. I think we end up buying more because we are not in such a rush to get out of the store. As for the "leaving your kids with someone you don't even know" thing, there are two attendants at the IKEA, the area is secure and you have to provide a specialized beeper to get your kids out. Also, if there are any issues, they will beep you in the store. My kid loves it there cause he gets to be roudy with the other kids instead of getting in trouble for jumping on couches in the store.

  I think if there was an IKEA closer to our city, we probably would go there just to get an hour of peace. It is alot harder to be a parent than any non-parent could ever know.

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  Posted by Rowdygirl Thu Jul 2, 2009 12:07pm PDT

  I have been there, starfedra.. and I don't consider myself selfish enough to leave my kids with strangers. I don't think teachers can be considered strangers since they're school EMPLOYEES ! When you leave your child in a store daycare, do you leave information in case something happens? Do you have the person's name in charge? A phone number? Do they monitor who picks the kids back up? If you want to dump your kids off all summer with a stranger, that's your buiness. Just don't be surprised if something happens.

  it's not my fault that people are idiots and will do anything to escape for even 45 minutes from their "little darlings"...

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  Posted by countnchickn Thu Jul 2, 2009 12:17pm PDT

  If you want to get away from your kids that bad, you should consider that before having them.

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  Posted by Maggie Freeburg Thu Jul 2, 2009 12:27pm PDT

  Amen Melissa!!

  Not a day goes by that parents don't make me feel grateful I made the decision to forgo being a parent. Parents just don't make it sound very fun...especially when they look for ways to dump their kids on anyone willing to take them off of their hands even for a few minutes!!

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  Posted by Amanda, www.bakingmommy.com Thu Jul 2, 2009 1:20pm PDT

  Ah, Rowdygirl, get off your high horse. Sometimes people need a little break. And yes, no matter where I leave my daughter, I know who's in charge, leave contact and doctor information, and make a point to get to know the caretaker to make sure I feel comfortable leaving her. If I don't, then I simply change plans and don't leave my precious angel. I don't think that any of the moms here said they leave their kids all summer anywhere... an hour a day at the gym (as I do) is a great way to clear my head and let my daughter have some extra social interaction. If you are the type of person who says you NEVER need a break (from kids, husband, etc) then you are either one in a million or lying to yourself.

  Also, to the non parents passing judgement... you simply can't judge and shouldn't belittle any parent's choice. You can't possibly understand the situation. That's something that took me becoming a parent to understand. I was always one of those people who was quick to say, "I'll never do THAT if I'm a mom." Well, guess what, I've probably done half the things I sourly frowned upon. I now wish I could go back and apologize to all those moms I "evil eyed."

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