D.C. parents: These local spots come with child care included
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Mimi here, answering a question for a very sleep-deprived, burnt-out, mentally and physically and spiritually overtaxed friend*: Where can you go to be an actually productive member of society with a little kid in tow?
Reality check: *It's me. I'm the friend.
- I had my first baby six months ago, and since then I've had my eyes peeled for local spots with built-in child care.
Why it matters: Finding a sitter is hard, especially if you don't live near family. And sometimes all you want is someone to watch your little one for an hour on a weekend to get in a quick workout or, I don't know, have a coherent thought.
Plus: If I have to ask one more rando in line at the grocery store to just watch my kid for a sec, I'm pretty sure someone is going to call child protective services on me.
Here are some places with child care that are on my list to check out:
Drop-in spots:
🧸 Mulberry Lane | Capitol Hill
The cafe-meets-play space recently shuttered its original Del Ray location, but it still has a Capitol Hill outpost.
- Parents can drop the nuggets off and work or peacefully dissociate from their bodies at the on-site cafe, or head to one of the spots inside The Roost food hall. Both drop-in passes and bulk purchases are available.
🌙 Pink Moon | Bethesda
This Maryland gathering spot for moms offers workout classes — like strength training and yoga — with on-site child care.
- There's also an on-site lounge where you can hang with other parents or take a meeting, plus a play space to entertain the wildebeests. Drop-ins and memberships are both available.
🏋️ Burn Boot Camp | Multiple locations
Most of this strength/HIIT group's locations offer classes that come with a child watch option, and there are tons of outposts across the DMV.
- Exact drop-in rates vary, but newbies get a free trial.
Membership spots:
🏃 YMCA | Multiple locations
Many YMCAs have child care centers where your kids can hang while you work out. (Or, you know, simply lie down between the ellipticals and cry while listening to a dragon smut audiobook. Zeroooo judgment.)
- Local options include the YMCA off U Street, as well as locations in Alexandria and Bethesda. Make sure to double-check the time limits, which vary by location.
🐦 Two Birds | D.C., Maryland, Virginia
You have to have a child enrolled in a Two Birds program to use the coworking space, but it comes with all your standard fare — cafe seating, phone rooms, free coffee — plus extracurricular classes for kiddos and parents.
- The group has locations in West End, Tenleytown, Old Town, Arlington, Tysons and Silver Spring, and prices vary.
💻 Cowo & Crèche | Alexandria
A membership at this Northern Virginia coworking site gets you child care and access to amenities like event space and a podcast studio.
- A flex membership is $199 a month.
The bottom line: Fellow white-knuckling parents — did we miss a spot? Let us know, and we'll update the list.