NEW KIDS House-Rules and Parent Agreements

Happy SUMMER everyone! I’ve been able to spend a lot more time with my kids this Summer now that they are out of school and I hope you can to! This is one of the best family treats of Summer!

 

Since kids are now out of school, i’ve also noticed a lot more kids at the gym. As you all know, CFAS prides itself on being a community driven, family first type of gym. We welcome you to bring your kids with you to class, and we’ve provided a kids area and lounge area for you to do so. Not every gym has this and it’s what makes us so special! However, we also ask that YOU PUT YOUR KIDS FIRST BEFORE YOUR WORKOUT if their are any behavior issues during class. It is my duty to remind everyone, especially parents with kids, what our house rules are regarding children. And I’ve updated the list with some new rules, to help everyone understand the expectations moving forward. The rules are meant to protect the tribe, including the children, it is their safety as well as the safety of the athletes that is top priority here. These rules must be STRICTLY FOLLOWED in order for the children to learn and follow them, the parents must be STRICT LEA DERS with their kids and their discipline. If parents do not understand these rules, or choose not to follow them, you will be reminded. If you still do not follow the rules or show strategies for improvement, you may be asked to leave the gym for that day and return when you and your child are able to follow these house-rules.

 

One of the BEST parts about our box is that we create a space where you can bring your kids while you train, but with that comes great responsibility not just for the gym but for YOU as the parent. These rules aren’t meant to oppress anyone or single anyone out. They are meant to keep everyone in the tribe stronger together, on task, professional, & respectful to their fellow athletes. An environment that is managed well and kept professional is what I have offered all of you and I intend to keep that promise.

 

Updated Kids Rules and Parent Expectations as of June 2016:

 

  1. Your child is YOUR responsibility. It is not the coaches responsibility to manage, take care of, or discipline your child, nor is it the job of the other athletes in your class. Do not ask, expect, or encourage anyone other that you (the parent) to manage your children. We are a tribe, and we’ll take care of and love each other’s kids, but discipline is ultimately the job of the parent.
  2. Babies and Toddlers MUST be contained in a safe and appropriate manner during class time. ‘Safe and appropriate’ means children are either in the lounge area, kids area, or on benches on front sidewalk. Babies may be in strollers, or parents arms. CHILDREN MAY NEVER BE IN PARKING LOT OR RUNNING BEYOND THE BACK ROLL UP DOOR. CHILDREN MAY NOT PLAY ON THE SIDES OF THE BUILDING UNATTENDED. KIDS STAY OFF BLACK MAT AND DO NOT RUN BACK AND FORTH DURING CLASS.
  3. Class time STARTS when the coach calls the class over to the board for ‘Question of the Day’. Class time ends when ALL ATHLETES are done with the WOD and the entire floor is cleaned of equipment...not any sooner. Just because you (the parent) are done with your WOD, does not mean your child can come onto the black mat if anyone else is still working. Expect occasionally that class times MAY RUN OVER depending on the length of the workout, and athlete ability to complete the workout within a given time period. NO KIDS can be wondering on the black mat during this time period, NO EXCEPTIONS. I REPEAT THAT NO CHILDREN MAY COME ONTO THE BLACK MAT DURING CLASS TIMES. IT IS THE PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE AND DISCIPLINE YOUR OWN CHILDREN IF THEY DO COME ONTO THE MAT. Be prepared that Coaches may ask you to stop your workout to manage your child if needed. Do not take this as an attack towards your or your child, we are simply looking out fo r your child's safety.
  4. There may be NO distracting behavior by any children during class time. This includes, but is not limited to, screaming, yelling, fighting, crying loudly for long lengths of time, throwing objects onto the athlete floor, horseplay that may distract athletes, or any other behavior that makes the training environment unpleasant for the members that come here to learn and train in a safe, educationally sound setting. If your child is becoming a distraction for the class, you MUST remove your child from the gym environment and only bring your child back when the behavior is managed and kept under control by you(the parent).
  5. Cleaning: Parents are ultimately responsible for keeping their child accountable to put things away and leave areas clean before leaving the gym. If your child is unable to clean up their area, the parent must clean it up. Toys, books, personal belongings, upstairs kids area, outside benches and sidewalks must be put back in order as you found it. FOOD MUST ONLY BE EATEN OUTSIDE. All food rubbish(food scraps, wrappers and waste) must be put in the trashcan provided outside, this includes even biodegradable items like banana peels and eggshells. 

 

Strategies that could help you manage your children even better:

 

  1. I understand this is an added cost, but hiring a childcare provider or babysitter to meet you at the gym to help manage your kids while you train, perhaps splitting the cost with a friend you train with who also has kids at the gym.
  2. Solicit help from friends or family. Set up a childcare trade with another friend who needs childcare and it’s a win-win for both of you! For example, “Hey Sally, can you help watch my child on Tuesdays at 4:30 for an hour, and i’ll watch your child for an hour this week so we can trade?” (My kids are teenagers and i’m even doing this right now over the summer!)
  3. Prep your child before you even get to the box. Communicate CLEAR and DIRECT expectations. Also understand, that young children ages baby to 4 years of age may not perform exactly as you want them to and you may need to sacrifice your workout to help manage your child.

 

 

I say this with all the love in my heart and with the care and best interests of our entire tribe, that if your child is a distraction for you, and/or a distraction for other’s in the class, consider what you will do to help change and move forward so it works out for everyone including YOU! 

 

Thank you for being such a valuable member of our CrossFit AllStar Community. Every family goes through hard times together, and we're all here to support one another for the benefit of the tribe, THIS MAKES US STRONGER. I trust that you will come to me if you have any additional feedback or questions regarding these rules, and understand they are meant to help and benefit you and your child.

 

Mahalo!

Coach KC

CrossFit AllStar