Gearhead Mom

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Going For a Workout at the Gymini

Posted by Missy W. @ 9:05 AM

When Sy was little she seemed to actually enjoy playing in her Gymini activity “gym” by Tiny Love. It’s not like she could tell me in so many words, but she was happy batting at toys and looking at all the stripes. Usually for about ten minutes, and then we had to move on, but ten minutes of free arm time is golden with a four month old.

You know, a play mat is sort of a silly thing and it seems excessive, but we used it all the time. If your cleaning habits don’t resemble Martha Stewart’s, it’s nice to know you have a clean spot for them to play at any time (the mat is easily unsnapped and washed). Yes, you can throw your kid on a blanket and call it a day, but Sy really liked playing with all the little dangly things and scratching at the circus scene on the mat. I’ve kept mine handy as my pals have had second kids, it’s nice to be able to bring it out when they stop by for a play date and my carpet is looking a little less than tidy (shocking, isn’t it?).

It’s also pretty portable if you are going to a relatives for the day. The “bars” unsnap easily and can be rolled up in the mat. 

We have this one in black, white and red. I got it because those are the colors that little ones are supposed to be able to focus on first. That and it was the simplest in design and therefore least offensive to me. It’s also the cheapest since there are not so many things piled on it. There are a heap more options out there with all kinds of bells and whistles. OK, well not bells and whistles, but how about music, double sided mats, boppy type devices, ad nauseum. I find most of the Gyminis out there to be completely overdone and a little bit frightening to look at. Tiny Love’s newest entry, Gymini Monkey Island (sounds like a Disney ride) is even touted as providing “a calming effect. Gymini® Monkey Island’s special structure reminds baby of the protective environment of the womb.” Um, yeah okaaaay, Tiny Love. Have you seen how much crap you have crammed onto that mat? I’d like to see what you consider stimulating! In my house we call that suspension of disbelief.

Since ours didn’t have a boppy type device included, nor did we have one, I would just roll up a towel under Sy’s chest when I was trying to encourage Tummy Time, something she would tolerate for about three minutes per day. Then she’d puke and we’d move on.

Snapshot:
You don’t need this forever, but when you need it, boy is it nice to have.
You can pick up extra devices or linkers at the Tiny Love site. I used the links and attachments in the car, in the stroller, out to dinner, you get my drift.
My mat has definitely faded, I don’t recommend throwing it in the dryer ever. But if you’re kid is a puker like mine was, you have to settle for a little less color.
Lots of companies make playmats, the ones over at Oompa are much more visually appealing to me, but at $129.00, sometimes I have to draw the line. 

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