My brother's birthday is next week and my dad wants to have a gtg for it. Great, fine, whatever. Unfortunately they have chosen to have this gathering at 1:30 in the afternoon. My kids sleep from 12:30-3/3:30 every weekend. That's the time I get everything ready for the week and relax a bit. I am seriously annoyed that they think it's ok to just skip naptime. FWIW, my brother has little kids too and they have absolutely no schedule with those kids and just do whatever. It shows in their behavior and sleep habits and they are constantly complaining about it. No thank you, I don't want that. I do realize that one afternoon won't make or break my kids behavior/habits, but I am annoyed that my dad's comment was to 'unclench' and 'loosen up the schedule a bit'. I've had this child for 3 years, my schedule is not new and it works. So what say DWP, do I need to unclench or is it rude for them to plan a family event during the middle of naptime and somehow expect I would be there with children?
I think you need to unclench. I think if asked your opinion on time or if it's a standing thing then sure, tell them that time doesn't work. But otherwise I think it's just life. We had to adjust nap times for a party last weekend.
I agree - unclench for one day. I would probably keep the kids up until you go, let them fall asleep in the car (take the long way if necessary to give them a bit more time) and rouse them when you get there. If they're like my DS, when they get there and see the other kids, they'll be excited to go run and play with them so they'll be just fine with a truncated nap.
I'll add, usually when we have a more casual family gathering there's no hard & fast start time so we often spend the whole afternoon and have the kids nap there. There are 4 of us and 6 grandkids, no way to please everyone and my parents prioritize being done by 6/7 for bedtime over anything else, which I appreciate.
Don't get me wrong, I live for nap time, but I would have no problem adjusting nap time or even bedtime for a special occasion. My boys' nap schedule is often messed up on the weekends because we're out and about a lot. They just nap on the go and it hasn't been detrimental to their overall sleep habits.
<grr> These are not the answers I wanted...lol Thanks ladies It's a really short drive and my dad says it won't be a long event so really it'll probably be just over by the end of naptime. Early to bed that night I guess.
I am loose on this stuff and I don't think you are unreasonable. I know how you probably need that time. I would do early/shorter naps (12 to 2 or 2:30) and tell the family you will be late. I think they could have considered your schedule since it's just a small family gathering.
Post by dizzycooks on Apr 15, 2015 10:11:54 GMT -5
Suffice it to say he chose the weekend I am out of town to have another family gathering. Knowing full well we wouldn't be there. I'll go, ym kids will miss naps, the world wil continue spinning and I'm sure the kids will have fun.
Dude I hear you but yeah I would still go...I'm a clencher too but ds will be skipping his nap to go to a bday party for his little friend (she's on no schedule either ugh) and I'm annoyed but don't want him to miss out. Maybe leave a little early and let them snooze on the way there and back, that's our loose plan for this weekend. I was side eyeing this party too by the way-who has a 2 year old bday party at 12:30? Sigh. So I get it but say unclench with me
Suffice it to say he chose the weekend I am out of town to have another family gathering. Knowing full well we wouldn't be there. I'll go, ym kids will miss naps, the world wil continue spinning and I'm sure the kids will have fun.
Sounds like your eating crackers too since you said he scheduled when he knew you would be OOT. No offense. That's justvhow I'm reading it.
Suffice it to say he chose the weekend I am out of town to have another family gathering. Knowing full well we wouldn't be there. I'll go, ym kids will miss naps, the world wil continue spinning and I'm sure the kids will have fun.
Sounds like your eating crackers too since you said he scheduled when he knew you would be OOT. No offense. That's justvhow I'm reading it.
Team unclench here. Our family events often last 6-8 hours; we often arrive late or leave early, but our family parties are often more open house style. For a 2-3 hour affair I'd say ditch the schedule for the day.
I think she means you and your brother are each other's BEC.
This. And on top of it he is scheduling family events when he knows you can't attend, KWIM? Either he doesn't want to hang with you or he's avoiding conflict. I'm an only child so take that with a grain of salt.
Post by chatterbox on Apr 15, 2015 12:23:38 GMT -5
I guess I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't mess with nap time. If your father isn't able (or is unwilling) to push it back a couple hours then I would probably leave the kids home with DH and stop by for a little while by myself to say happy birthday. I have an almost 10 month old who can't sleep anywhere but her crib and completely falls apart if she doesn't get her naps. It just wouldn't be worth it to me.
Post by rosesandpetals on Apr 15, 2015 12:24:56 GMT -5
If it were my in-laws, I'd say that time doesn't work for us and not go. But honestly, I might slash my own tires to get out of a gathering with them, anyway. If we skip nap, DD is fine for a few hours and starts to melt down around 5, so I'd just leave at that time. One time isn't that big of a deal. If it were a regular thing, I'd make a bigger deal out of it.
I guess I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't mess with nap time. If your father isn't able (or is unwilling) to push it back a couple hours then I would probably leave the kids home with DH and stop by for a little while by myself to say happy birthday. I have an almost 10 month old who can't sleep anywhere but her crib and completely falls apart if she doesn't get her naps. It just wouldn't be worth it to me.
Eh, ten month olds are way different creatures than three year olds. Honestly, a "normal" three year old should be able to handle a slight change in schedule for one day.
Post by Kcthepouchh8r on Apr 15, 2015 12:55:39 GMT -5
Yes you're wrong..but you realize this already.
I think an important skill to teach kids is to sleep in places other than the crib. Honestly I'd rather have kids that sleep like shit than to spend years of my life stuck in the house from 12-3 every single day.
I think an important skill to teach kids is to sleep in places other than the crib. Honestly I'd rather have kids that sleep like shit than to spend years of my life stuck in the house from 12-3 every single day.
Eh my kids always slept best in their beds and never really took naps other places didn't mean we were stuck in the house everyday.