How come I didn't know about this??
 

I have been waiting until the evening to go to work out because then DH could watch the kids, thinking my only alternative is the air station CDC drop-in care center which is 3.50 per hour per kid. And it's a huge PITA to get the kids in CDC drop-in care because it has limited slots and you can only book them exactly a week in advance- big pain. They don't have classes in the evening hours, so I just go work out with the other Marines at night. Turns out, the main base (30 minutes away) has free drop in care at their gym! FREE! And they have lots of classes. They're held in the morning when I would rather go work out instead of in the evening like I am now, when I'm practically out of energy from the day. They have a main gymnasium area where the classes are held (also free) and then the circuit room with the weight machines and cardio equipment. The circuit room is right next to the drop-in care room. The wall separating it is a big 2 way mirror. You can watch the kids, but they can't see you!!

FREE! Fuh-reee.

Why was I not told about this earlier!!??!?!
The only catch (there is always a catch, right?) is that the drop-in center fills up quickly during class times. If you want to make sure they have a spot you need to be there early to get the kids in and you're only allowed to leave them there an hour. The classes are 45 minutes long, so I guess I can stretch for 15 minutes, LOL. But during times where there is no class and I just want to use the elliptical or weights or treadmill or whatever, there isn't a mad rush for the drop-in center.

The base pool is right across the street, so if they are out of drop-in spots one day we can just take the kids swimming instead and I can go to the air station gym after DH comes home like I am now.

This is fantastic news!

Huzzah! And I have a stupid question for you -- if you are a civilian spouse of a military person, are you allowed to work? Off-base? My best friend and her husband are both in the Army, and it got me wondering.

Wow!! That's awesome!!

Thats awesome. I don't know about Marine bases but most AFBs have child care at the gym (with the exception of ours I guess because we are overseas). Right now personally I feel too fat to work out when the AD members are usually in the gym!

LadyJames-Yes military spouses can work on or off base. Overseas though there are other rules we must follow..so it is hard to get a job off base when we are stationed overseas.

Candice-Are you at Pope?

My best friend is stationed in Germany! In Heidelberg. I just visited her in April.

My hat is off to you
 

Hi,
My hat is off to you gals whose husbands are in the military.:cp: I want to wish all of you well. From what I understand the bases provide all sorts of things for families - as well they should. :halffull:

I am a 60+ grandmother and I know what it is to be part of a military family.
My father was in the navy way back when.

Anyway - my thoughts are with all of you.
joan fay:cool:

Ah yes..I know where Heidelberg is..but we are further west near the Lux. border. :)

Thats awesome it should be so much easier for you.

LadyJames- Gremlina speaks the truth. I can go get a job pretty much anywhere I want. I just don't want to right now, though, LOL.

Gremlina- I'm near Lejeune. We'll be here for a while.