How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

I try not to deviate that much because it turns into a nightmare when bedtime comes. I hate that we have to leave the latest now at 7pm when we visit family and friends because when we have parties they usually start late and we miss a lot of people that we might not get to see on a daily basis. Not to mention it takes us about 1.5 -2 hours to get home now since the weather is getting nicer and DS's new thing is to whine and cry and it makes the car ride seem sooo longg. So in order to avoid this we try and leave a little earlier but I feel like no one else understands this and then I feel guilty, but routine is so important to me.

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

I think you're doing the right thing for yourself and your DC!

Both DH and I were raised with strict routines and we feel that we turned out pretty well - the sacrifices our parents made to get us home and in bed on time paid them back with easier to manage children because we knew what to expect.

DH and I are hopeful that by us setting a routine with our DS that we will be as fortunate...

A plus is that both sets of parents are supportive of getting DS to bed early and following OUR routine, but it's extended family and our friends who are starting to give us some grief about not staying out late, about not going out so much, about not leaving DS out late when we go to dinner, etc.

Like I said, you're doing a great thing for your DC. My sis has a strict schedule with her kids and putting them to bed is a BREEZE now that they're older - we're all happy to babysit her kids because they know the limitations...

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

We are the same way and most of our family gets it although we do get comments. It's esp hard since like you, we live in NJ, and get togethers in Long Island are hard. We don't like leave past a certain time because then we either hit traffic or DD falls asleep in the car and it's a nightmare when she wakes up. I don't have any advice but just stand your ground and eventually people will get tired of making comments.

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

A lot. But everyday is different really for us. He goes with the flow.

We knew this is the type of lifestyle we wanted to live so since birth we have gone with the flow and not really stuck to any type of schedule.

Message edited 4/28/2008 1:52:29 PM.

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

Not that much unless it's something important... I really don't care who understands b/c they aren't the ones dealing with my crabby children!

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

Not much. The only thing we have been doing lately is going to visit family/friends or having them over to visit us more often. He loves seeing people, but it does wear him out, so we leave early if at someoen else's house. He seems to do better in his own home.

He actually naps more when we travel, but he still goes to sleep around the same time at night.

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

I stick with DD's schedule. If I need to go out at her nap time or after she sleeps, then I find a means to do that without impacting her. So far it works well. Everyone understands that it's the way that we work & it suits our family.

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

I try not to do things differently. I noticed that DS does not like that and is a total crank pot in the evening. He sleeps great without a problem, but in the evening he is not a happy camper. So I try to do my best in keeping with his daily routine.

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

I try to stick with DS schedule. He goes down at 9-9:30pm. Sometimes DH will keep him up to play with him until like 10pm on the weekends. But DS isnt usually fussy or anything when we mess up his schedule really.

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

DS goes with the flow on weekends since DH and I are always running around

He gets his weekend naps in the car or in his stroller. I try to be home before his bedtime 7:30 and if I have a sitter I will have her come after he is sleeping.

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

I agree that routine is important but to me its also important that DS is somewhat flexible. During the day his schedule is out the window on weekends as we are doing alot of running around, the only thing I can guarantee is that he will take his AM nap ranging from 45 minutes to 90 minutes. After that it depends on the day. If possible I do try to get home by 8:30 for DS's 9pm bedtime but if I am at a friends I just try to get him to fall asleep in my arms and put him down on the bed/floor/ in the car seat, for a little bit. He will then sleep for about 45 minutes and wake up. We try to get home at 11 the latest as this wont upset his normal routine too much! Luckily DS is a pretty laid back kid and is okay with the deviation.

Message edited 4/28/2008 2:42:27 PM.

Re: How much do you deviate from you DC's weekly schedule on the weekends?

I try to generally keep to DS's schedule, but sometimes it deviates - sometimes a little - sometimes a lot!