Slave to the schedule…

I finally (knock wood) have the boys on a day time nap schedule… and have been on a feeding schedule for a while… but now it goes like this, eat, play (only for 30 min) nap… an hour and half, 2 tops… up for an hour (just started w/ solids at this time of day… can be skipped at this age, but soon it won’t be able to be skipped)… then eat again (repeat above). I just noticed that they have not been “out” ever since… I will run errands during nap. They play outside and get out in our back yard or even the front… but they don’t go on errands any more… anyone else feel like they can’t get out because of the schedule?

Elizabeth

PS I’m sure this has been posted before but I was so jealous people had schedules in the early months I didn’t want to hear it

 

i was a slave to their schedule (and still am usually) at that time. i just felt it was so important for them to get their naps in, and they never slept well in carseats/strollers/our arms. when they get older and start taking less naps (with more wake up time in between), you - and they - will be able to get out more! it's just a few months away! :hug:

 

QUOTE(ddancerd1 @ Sep 18 2008, 10:32 AM) [snapback]985879[/snapback]
i was a slave to their schedule (and still am usually) at that time. i just felt it was so important for them to get their naps in, and they never slept well in carseats/strollers/our arms. when they get older and start taking less naps (with more wake up time in between), you - and they - will be able to get out more! it's just a few months away! :hug:

Thank you… its true… mine sleep poorly anywhere but the crib… and for the sake of the sanity of the rest of the family… I think knowing a schedule is very important… especially w/ TWO… I think I just feel guilty they don’t get out like my older ds did… I took him everywhere… but I didn’t have the full time help I have w/ these guys… or other children to think about… again thank you for the reminder

 

count me in as a slave as well... but I do it by choice I LOVE my quiet nap time and wouldn't rather be anywhere else than at home during nap time. My girls do horribly at sleeping if we're away from home during their naps and it's just not worth it to have a 2 cranky babies. Obviously there are times when there's no choice and we have to be out but on the norm - I do whatever I can to be home during naps.
In regards to them getting out.. with you taking them outside and changing "views" within the home (like different rooms, etc) they're getting some good diversity. I take my girls out on 1-2 walks everyday for their "outings" ... so I'm happy with our current schedule

 

Yep, me too! I loved the schedule because I knew about when I'd have a break. I still like them.

 

Yep, definitely a slave to the schedule here, too! But, again, by choice. I find my days so much more enjoyable when the babies get their naps - they are in better moods, sleep better at night, and I get MY quiet time! Very important! Every time we go run errands, I come home and find myself saying "I'm not doing that for a long time!" We do go out about 1xweek - and that is plenty at this point. I'm too excited to finally have a regular napping schedule - I don't like messing with it!

Funny thing is I don't remember ever even thinking about my older DS's schedule. I just popped him in his carseat and went wherever, whenever - never even looking at the clock! So, this has been quite a change for me. But like I said, I find the entire household runs better when the babies are well-rested.

I think in families with multiples, the slogan should be: "When the babies ain't happy, ain't no one happy!". Forget about Mama! At least in this First Year!

 

I think I'm the only no! I really just go, when I need to. There are only so many things, and so little time. I try to plan it right at their nap or when it I know i can get everything done before their next nap. usually they are so good. Every once in awhile I have a cranky baby, But not always. Yes things are crazy and I love useing that excuse, but honestly my boys are mellow and cooperate. I guess I'm just lucky... Or am for the moment! Lol!!

 

It was hard at first but now really it doesn't change their days much if we go out. The issue I'm facing is that they're usually awake way before their bottle now, so it makes things difficult. Otherwise, I just feed them and we go, and they usually end up taking a catnap at some point, so I just keep them up 1.5 hour once we go home, until their next feeding or more, then I put them down for a nap and it usually goes well. The problems I had was when I tried to put them down for a nap when we came back... NOT happening. Now that I keep them up, it's much easier.

I don't really have a schedule, more a routine, depending on how long they sleep, so it's really not a problem if they have a longer nap... they'll just go to bed later if needed. And I've found that my two seem to actually sleep better at night when they skipped a nap or had short ones...

 

Yes, I was and still am a total slave to naps. I cant bear the thought of having TWO overtired children. One is too much to handle sometimes. But as some have said, it does get so much better when they go to one nap. Now I run my errands in the morning and either am home for lunch or we eat lunch out and then get home for naps. We rarely go out in the afternoon and just play at home inside or outside. It will get better and you will see the light of day again at some point.

 

QUOTE(luvmama08 @ Sep 18 2008, 01:56 PM) [snapback]986215[/snapback]
I think I'm the only no! I really just go, when I need to. There are only so many things, and so little time. I try to plan it right at their nap or when it I know i can get everything done before their next nap. usually they are so good. Every once in awhile I have a cranky baby, But not always. Yes things are crazy and I love useing that excuse, but honestly my boys are mellow and cooperate. I guess I'm just lucky... Or am for the moment! Lol!!

You are lucky and/or blessed… sooo I have a question… do you go out w/ them because they are so easy and sleep fine out and about… or if your DH worked at home and was willing to “listen” for them while they napped would you run to the store alone? As my boys are pretty kick back when out… they just don’t sleep the full hour and half two hours in a car seat… so I pay for it later (over tired befor the next nap)… but maybe to rid myself of the guilt I should take one like I us to do…. Just curious

 

we never get out. im hanging onto what other mama's say- it gets better...i long for the days i used to STROLL around walmart without worrying who would wake up next, who needs to eat, etc.

 

QUOTE(e mauro @ Sep 18 2008, 02:06 PM) [snapback]986238[/snapback]
You are lucky and/or blessed… sooo I have a question… do you go out w/ them because they are so easy and sleep fine out and about… or if your DH worked at home and was willing to “listen” for them while they napped would you run to the store alone? As my boys are pretty kick back when out… they just don’t sleep the full hour and half two hours in a car seat… so I pay for it later (over tired befor the next nap)… but maybe to rid myself of the guilt I should take one like I us to do…. Just curious

First off yes I'm lucky (only in that regard)..I go out bc I have to. I have to run the errands while my bf works and being selfemp. I have to get things done. I wish my bf worked at home! then I wouldn't have to find a sitter. Yes, any chance to be free I get, I totally run in the other dierection.To anwser your question I take them bc I have to, I'm glad theyre easy bc I can't imgine otherwise. I'd prob be in the looney bin!

 

QUOTE(luvmama08 @ Sep 18 2008, 06:20 PM) [snapback]986591[/snapback]
First off yes I'm lucky (only in that regard)..I go out bc I have to. I have to run the errands while my bf works and being selfemp. I have to get things done. I wish my bf worked at home! then I wouldn't have to find a sitter. Yes, any chance to be free I get, I totally run in the other dierection.To anwser your question I take them bc I have to, I'm glad theyre easy bc I can't imgine otherwise. I'd prob be in the looney bin!

Thanks...

i was just curious... if you haven’t figured it out... i have guilt issues

 

Yes, I was a complete slave and it was so depressing!! I promise it will get better as they get older. It got a little better for us when they started eating table food and took less bottles. Hang in there, it won't last forever. btw, it's ok to break the schedule every once in awhile

 

all of you "slaves" are my heroes! good for you for being strict about something that is SO GOOD for your babies! i wish we had a regular schedule yet--so i could be a slave, as well! and btw, it's awesome your babes don't sleep well anywhere but a bed. that's the best place for them!

wtg! take them out more when they're older.

~~jl

 

Just like all of you, I don't go out much so I don't have to deal with cranky babies--especially since mine are only up 1-1.5 hours at a time! We usually try to leave the house on the weekends with DH-perhaps to the in-laws, my parents, etc..., but deal with the consequences. I have found the best time to leave is in the early evening (around 5pm) when they take their catnaps...it's a good time for a walk or a quick trip to the mall. They usually doze in their car seats (they will never go into a deep sleep in those seats), and hang on until bedtime.

I know many people always tell me to just get them and go places, but I don't think they realize the trouble to deal with 2 fussy babies at the end of it all, especially when I'm by myself.

Like others, I'm learning to be patient and realize that one day it'll be easier to get out! The babies need sleep to grow and flourish just as much as they need their milk.

 

I'm torn. In some ways I do wish that I was more of a slave to the schedule, but I have one who sleeps great at home, and the other who sleeps better anywhere BUT home. The car, the stroller, the bjorn - you name it. As long as he's out of this house, he's great. Meanwhile, I can plop Sarah into her crib and expect 1.5-2 hrs of quiet. I don't go out just for the hell of it, but if a need arises, I'm there. Being at home with these guys on my own full time makes me seriously value getting out and about. I stick to the feeding schedule pretty well and I try to get them to sleep after 1.5ish hrs, but where that all happens changes from day to day. Cheers to all you ladies who can make it happen at home!

 

At that age I found it hard to get out to do errands with the babies, or if I did it was usually a 45min trip so I could be back in time for their next nap - the trips were quick ones. And at that age I mostly preferred to do my running around when they were napping. Now I can actually get errands done with the babies, now that they are awake for 1.5-2.5hrs between naps. Much easier now for sure, the only problem is occupying that much time while they are awake!