Whilst gliding does give the new set of challenges that the OP seems to need, a reality check is needed if you think a weekend at a gliding club is the place to be when you have a 16 month old child at home. Going gliding at weekends whilst the mother gets left with the baby again after a week of it, sounds like a recipe for divorce. Gliding clubs expect all pilots to assist with running operations when they are not flying, so unless it is known and agreed that the OP is only there for a little longer than his flights, there is either going to be friction at the club or at home.
A mid-week evening gliding course may be the answer as it will leave the weekends free and the time commitment is less. Mum may even be willing to come along with the child to get some fresh air.
When it is Dad's turn with the sprog, flying and gliding clubs can be a good place to take the child (on a suitable restraint) to have something to look at and wear him/her out whilst giving Dad at least a partial fix as a spectator. Lasham & Popham were both regular destinations when my two were small.