So, today is my first official day as a Stay-At-Home Mom. Of course, if you are keeping track of how many days I’m at home before I lose my shit entirely, you’ll have to count this as day THREE since I had Saturday and Sunday home as well. So, just keep track based on your prediction of my survival. Whatever works to your advantage in your particular betting pool.
I’m going to try to keep my tasks light today, to give me time to get used to figure out a schedule. I’m letting NikkiZ sleep in until she wakes up on her own. Which is something I don’t even do on the weekends. I’ve always been concerned about her getting off schedule during the weekends, so I won’t let her sleep past about 7:30am. The few times I’ve let her sleep as late as she wanted, she didn’t take a nap, so we’ll see how today goes. I want to get a feel for her natural schedule this week. Let her sleep late, and maybe keep her up later at night. Right now, she goes to bed promptly at 7pm every night. But - since we won’t be waking her up at 5:30am now, it seems like we could keep her up later in the evenings.
Either way - this week is about scheduling. I’m going to try to find her natural schedule and work with that. Unless her natural schedule is to be up for 12 hours straight without a nap. Then I’ll just take her back to the store and trade her in for a more cooperative model. I don’t think I’ve exceeded my warranty yet.
lol..good luck with finding a schedule that’ll suit both of you’ll..i’m sure you’ll figure something out!
I feel for you … and know you will figure all of this out! Just an opinionated suggestion (take it or leave it) … I insisted that my boys continue to nap until 1/2 way through Kindergarten. Even when they sort of got out of the swing of napping, they still had an hour of quiet time in their rooms and eventually they started falling asleep again. I didn’t change their bedtimes, nor did they … but I found those naps invaluable especially as they got older and were the only ones in their age group who were napping! Long live the nap!!!
Good luck today. I know you’ll figure this all out - and probably have some fun doing it.
Once my son stopped napping (he was four) we instituted quiet time for an hour after lunch. He would lay on his bed and read or play quietly in his room. He’s 7 now and we still have an hour of quiet time on the weekends and whenever he’s out of school.
I agree with Lauri…naps are the best! When my son doesn’t take one he is a grumpy mess by bedtime. And I am, too! As much as I love my son, I really need that break in the afternoon to keep me from going insane.
Enjoy your first official day as a stay-at-home mom!
Girl! is 17months, and I’ve always been a stay at home mom - but I am one who LOVES a nice predictable schedule - BUT! I’ve learned to let go of that a little over the past few months, as I realize sometimes toddler realyl don’t CARE abotu today’s schedule. So I now let her sleep until she wakes, rather than gettign her up at 7 everyday. the days she sleeps in till 8 or 830, she still wants her nap at ehr regualr naptime, but she won’t nap as long, and that’s cool. On the days she is her father’s child and wakes at the butt crack of dawn, she wants to eat lunch earlier and takes a marathon nap. Also nice, but I would have preferred my sleep in the morning, thankyouverymuch! ANyhow, my long drawn ot point is, NIkkiZ may surprise you and her internal clock may be so used to naptime at a certain time that she still may lay down easily for you. the question may just be how much time will you get? good luck, Zoot. can’t wait to hear how your day goes.
good luck!! I think the two of you will be able to find a schedule that works out great for the both of you.
Aww to be sleeping in. I would love that.
Eep! Good luck! I hereby wish upon you a day free of catastrophic toddler meltdowns. *knocks wood, or whatever overly suspicious action is called for.* You’re gonna be great
I don’t have any helpful ideas about scheduling, but good luck on your first day!!
It is easier than you think…just don’t forget to talk to at least one ADULT sometime everyday….or you will go crazy.
I think we need better rules for counting the days. I mean, you didn’t work weekends before — so should they really count? Are we predicting a total day count or projected a calendar date? If it’s a day count…how do we factor the diference in total hours worked in a day? These are important questions!
But actually they’re not — you’re a great mom, and I already have my prediction for when you’ll lose it….NEVER!
Good luck, duder! You’ll do better than you think you can
Good luck! I bet you will get right into a routine. I think you are going to do great!!!
Good luck, Zoot!
i hope you’ll update us: for some reason i really want to know how late nikkiz sleeps in. like, is she still sleeping right now?
When my kids were toddlers and I was home all day with them, I looked forward to the early bed times. After the whole day with the little buggers, you really need a break.
Good luck finding your groove.
My daughter goes to bed every night at around 7PM. She can be up at 7AM for her bottle then back to bed until 10AM. But she can also be up at 1AM, 6AM and then up for good at 8AM. I prefer the days where she sleeps in until ten.
From a former stay at home mom turned daycare owner, I don’t recommend screwing with the schedule. Chances are…..you should still put her to bed at 7, and she will wake up around 7 if you let her sleep on her own, then you can still get a decent nap out of her…messing with it…..er…that only means you are messing with your own stability and sanity…just my opinion.