Tell Me This Gets Better! :( Advice Please!

[faith194]

I was a half time teacher when I had DS. My position was cut completely for the next school year(last year). I was a SAHM, while looking for work. I was called back to my job a month ago, and I started last week. DH is now a SAHM(he was miserable at his job, and didn't make enough money to justify our DS going into daycare).

So, this week, DS decides to wake up at 5 AM every morning, which is two hours earlier than usual. DH is not used to waking up that early, and I get up at 5:30 to get ready for work. DS decides naps are optional, even though he is exhausted. DH goes to work cleaning floors from 4-8 on M, W, R, so he leaves, and I come home to meltdown baby. I used to have DS all to myself MWR when DH worked both jobs, so I am sorta used to it. It is just a new type exhaustion.

I taught 5 years prior to being laid off, but it feels like I am a new teacher with all of the new standards, evaluation system, and a new bell schedule. I am really starting from scratch, almost!

Anyway, I am not a fan of being a working mom. I do love teaching, but this exhaustion is awful(and stress of the standards/APPR). DS needs to sleep more. Ugh.

Any nap advice I can pass onto DH? He has tried CIO the last 3 days for 30 minutes(DS cries for 2 minutes, and then whines the rest of the time). He does get laid down at night wide awake, and STTN.

Any advice for the early wake-up time? We let him cry for 30 minutes this morning, but it escalated.

HELP!!! If you made it this far, you get a gold star!

[8675309]

How old is DS? My DD is 2 1/2 and is waking up super early too. I'm not sure why but we are getting her a new big girl bed to hopefully eliminate the early wake up. Is he still in his crib?

[faith194]

Oh, I forgot I didn't have DS' info in my siggy. He will be 2 in October.

[keh2oblue]

Wow, he's not even 2 and not napping? Ugh, that is rough. What time does he go down at night.? It seems like he's probably not getting enough sleep, huh? The only other thing I can think of is put him down earlier?

[jena]

This is new for every single one of you so of course it sucks. Yes, it will get better as each of you figure out the new routine and what works best. You'll get the hang of all your new teaching stuff within a few weeks I'm sure.

My napping advice: Have DH run him hard in the morning - go to the park, make an obstacle course in the house on rainy days - literally get DS to RUN and climb and play hard. Feed him lunch and put that kid to nap. If your DH has to lay down with him to get him to nap, then tell him to do it. At that age I'm pretty much in the camp that says napping is to be achieved at any cost.

[faith194]

DS usually goes to bed around 7:15 and 7:30. Last night, he was in bed by 6:15(and is still asleep right now, thankfully-6:15 am). He usually gets 12 hours at night, and a 1.5-2 hour nap during the day. This last week, DS has been averaging 9-10 hours of sleep total.

DH tried rocking DS with milk after lunch(after a failed attempt of letting him CIO), and DS wasn't having it. He was overtired at that point. I know DH is outside with DS early, and they walk to the park on occasion(not every day). DS is EXHAUSTED by 11 am, when DH tries to put him down. I did have a hard time putting him down for naps the last two weeks, prior to starting work, but I knew he sensed the change.

Funny enough, DH was able to put DS down for a nap the first day I went back to work without an issue! DS even asked to take a nap.

I am hoping it all settles down!

[crazygame]

Yes, it will get better. As others have said, it's a lot of change for everyone. Give it a few weeks.

It might be best if your husband lays with your son, even if he isn't sleeping. That way he is at least resting.

[8675309]

My DD naps from 1-3pm everyday at her sitters with no problem. During the weekends we struggled getting her down and it was next to impossible. We finally figured out that she just wanted to sleep somewhere else for nap time instead of her toddler bed in her room. We set her up on the couch in the playroom or on our bed and she now sleeps 2 1/2 hours on the weekends. I know this sounds ridiculous but maybe try changing the napping location?