Over New Years I visited with a cousin M of mine. She was very interested in finding out if we still had Lucas on his regimented schedule. Apparently she thought that that was a bad thing (mind you, this particular cousin has no children). Now, even though I have 4 timers going in the morning to get us through the breakfast-dress-and-drop-to-school routine, I feel we are much less restrictive than we used to be. (Are you still stuck on the 4 timers?)
As I explained to her, really the only thing we are basically uncompromising about is his sleep. He watches more TV, plays more video games and is forced to eat less of his food than his peers (or so I believe). But he has to be in bed and lights out by 8:00pm..maybe 8:10 on a weekend and if we are really crazy - 8:15 on holidays. (July 4th, sleep-overs and international travel are exceptions).
Anyways, I thought about what M said, and it struck me, she said, "...we weren't on a strict schedule and we turned out ok." Ahhhh....she somehow thought that this schedule was for Lucas' benefit (that is the childless inexperience showing), when in fact the schedule is for us. Had I cleared up that little point I am sure she would have understood. He had to be on a schedule (as is Liam, somewhat), otherwise I wouldn't know which way is up. I would go insane and send everybody down the same path.
While some parents may prefer the "nap at 10:00 today but noon tomorrow..." or "it's ok if he has lunch a little earlier/later today"..I am not one of them.
As it is, I like being able to make plans for my days and most importantly capitalize on the only "free" time I get - after the children go to sleep....Mama time.
Schedule, schmedule..if that's what it takes for me to get Mama time, it ain't going away anytime soon.
As I explained to her, really the only thing we are basically uncompromising about is his sleep. He watches more TV, plays more video games and is forced to eat less of his food than his peers (or so I believe). But he has to be in bed and lights out by 8:00pm..maybe 8:10 on a weekend and if we are really crazy - 8:15 on holidays. (July 4th, sleep-overs and international travel are exceptions).
Anyways, I thought about what M said, and it struck me, she said, "...we weren't on a strict schedule and we turned out ok." Ahhhh....she somehow thought that this schedule was for Lucas' benefit (that is the childless inexperience showing), when in fact the schedule is for us. Had I cleared up that little point I am sure she would have understood. He had to be on a schedule (as is Liam, somewhat), otherwise I wouldn't know which way is up. I would go insane and send everybody down the same path.
While some parents may prefer the "nap at 10:00 today but noon tomorrow..." or "it's ok if he has lunch a little earlier/later today"..I am not one of them.
As it is, I like being able to make plans for my days and most importantly capitalize on the only "free" time I get - after the children go to sleep....Mama time.
Schedule, schmedule..if that's what it takes for me to get Mama time, it ain't going away anytime soon.
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