So here is my dilemma. What to do about Jonathan's nap. I haven't had to deal with this with Christiana or Hunter. The naturally grew out of their nap between the ages of 2 and 3 (Christiana closer to three, Hunter closer to two). However, Jonathan is still happily going down for his nap (I KNOW I shouldn't complain) but he is slowly getting up earlier and falling asleep later. He used to wake up between 7 and 7:30 and fall asleep at lights out time at 7:30. Now he is getting up between 6:30 and 6:45 and is usually the last kid to fall asleep, and we put Christiana to bed at 8 now. This tells me that he no longer needs the 14 or so hours of sleep he was getting with his nap.
Here is the problem.....MOM needs that nap time. Jonathan is an active, demanding, determined two year old. (I know, many of you have or are dealing with this, but Christiana never went through the "terrible twos", yes I KNOW I"m lucky, and Hunter wasn't that/this bad. It is all new to me). I need that nap time to recoup, recover, and prepare for the afternoon/evening. I'm scared to go without it. Every time I think that I might be ready to forgo the nap, he goes bonkers the next day and I think "NO WAY!!!!"
So any advice or words of encouragement??
Side note: I did not make the choir. I later found out from my friend who is in the choir that they had very few opening for women but a ton for men. The few women they let in were on condition that they bring a man. I debated asking for a re-audition and bring Andy (who has a nice voice for those who don't know, he's the one that has been teaching me how to sing) but after looking at my schedule and Andy's schedule decided that maybe it was a good thing I didn't make it.
12 years ago
6 comments:
I know the feeling Brandon has recently decided to forgo nap time. He is also a VERY active little boy. He quit napping on his own... he just wouldn't go down anymore. I was terrified but after a few weeks of not forcing the nap (very frustrating experience). I decided that he would just need to have quiet time every day so mommy could have some time to herself. He either gets to watch TV or play in his room by himself. That way I can get some things done. It took a few days to get him use to the idea of playing without mommy or leaving her alone but he's good about it now. Hope that helps.
regulating nap time...we still put michael down for a nap but we make sure that he's awake again in about 2 hours. if he wakes up earlier than that, that's just fine. donovan just has to deal with "quite time" during michael's nap time; he's still working on it but it gives michelle some time to get "other" things done.
Okay, several things to consider. IF you forgo naptime, are you willing to rearrange the bedtime schedule and either you or Andy deal with him individually to make him go to bed when you want him to?
Also, is there anything he will do on his own for a period of time other than nap that will leave you alone in another section of the house (that you are not afraid of him being in without your immediate supervision)?
This is my compromise with Tess. In the afternoons she will often go downstairs and watch any show she wants, with a drink and snack/lunch, and pretty much leave me alone for an hour or two, with possibly minor interuptions. BUT - I have to sit with her at night until she falls asleep, and I have to not really care what she does to my basement - I just make sure the other kids rooms are closed so she doesn't destroy their stuff too.
Also, it helps that we run errands together in the late mornings - then she has had sufficient fun with her outings, mommy all to herself with treats to bribe her to go all the places I want to go (yes I bribe with small candies in my pocket) and she feels independant enough after that to be on her own awhile so I can get things done.
But, you do have to make it through the bedtime/waketime adjustment phase, which can be BRUTAL. It comes down to which time you want most to yourself - the middle of the day, the early mornings, or the later evenings, and try to manipulate his schedule to yours. I've found it can take up to a week and half to establish a new bedtime/waketime routine, so if you do it, gear yourself up for some rough days and nights but stick to it, even if you have to make minor adjustments.
I agree with everyone else, quiet time is the way to go! At least that should help save you the frustration of the early wake ups and late bed times. It may take a while but he will get back on track so keep smiling:)
Alyssa has had a difficult time adjusting as well. She is a BEAR when she gets tired, so we have struggled to make the adjustment with her.
We have ended up with a compromise of sorts. We try to get by without a nap on most days. On the days she does nap, we only let her sleep for about a half hour. (Any longer than that and she won't sleep at night.)
When she doesn't nap, we do some of the things that have already been suggested here (movie/tv time, play in a different part of the house, play outside, etc.).
I have an Aunt that had a quiet time routine that worked fabulously. At the same time every day, all the kids (regardless of how old) would go to their room for an hour and play/nap/clean up depending on age. She would use that time to do something for herself or finish up something around the house. Unfortunately, I'm not that disciplined or I would totally go for it.
Good luck!
Hey you! Everyone has given you lots of good advice. Mine is to just have a quiet time. I think a movie is about right, makes them hold still, longer than one measley hour (coming from a mom with a crazy 18 month old...) and while it is going they know not to bug you. I know there is controversy on having the tv bbsit the kids, but if it comes down to rotting their brains with tv, or KILLING them because you didn't get the break you needed, I would choose tv, well maybe........ KIDDNG!! Love you guys!
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