Okay, so this mom of a 3 1/2 year old has decided that after 4 months of fighting to get my child to nap, it is just not worth it. I have settled for a 30-minute downtime where he must stay in his room and rest (under the rain tent of course). It is great, he is still getting his 12-13 hours of sleep, going to bed at 7:00 and waking anywhere between 7-8 the next morning. But here is where I need some suggestions: what's a mom to do all day long with no other siblings to play with and entertain the little guy? Mom cannot be the playdate all day long-mommy needs her own downtime, and all the chores and extras that used to get done during naps are just not getting done. I am sitting down trying to come up with a workable schedule forthe Fall so that he and I know what to expect on a daily basis so that everything can still get done during the day, we can have fun together and apart, and we can make it until Daddy gets home with our sanity!! Any creative suggestions? Any good activities/classes that you have done with your kids that I can check into and enroll Grayson in?
Laura's 2nd Birthday
15 years ago
6 comments:
You really opened the door with this one!!! I have no suggestions other than the fact that you need to find what works best for you! We have done Gymboree in the past, and I know some churches have mother's morning out programs. Other than that, just prayers for patience for you! I know until Grayson is in school this will be a constant dilemma! Hugs:)
Jayne--I know exactly what you are going thru...I totally agree with Natalie--you have to find what works for you...all I can do is tell you what I've done, but that certainly isn't the end all. Each day is a new day to put on our mommy armor with new activities and creativity. Rather than getting too long winded in your blog I'll email you some suggestions and you can take what you need and leave what you don't. Until then...you are not alone:)
It is really quite amusing to me that you wrote this because I JUST said today to a friend of mine that I was ready to give up the naps for Benjamin. Some days he goes down instantly, but most days it is a struggle. But, it is a LONG day if there is no nap to be taken! We do a lot of playing outside. In fact, after 4pm, our life is pretty miserable if we are not outside! Something about the fresh air keeps Benjamin happier when he is tired. We attempt an art project every day. Some are more fun than others. Other than that, we visit the children's museum a lot, we go to the park a lot, we have scavenger hunts at Walmart for groceries (this is quite fun for Benjamin). I also have Benjamin in Mother's morning out at Centerville Baptist. I love it there...and so does Benjamin. And believe me, that is saying a lot! Anyway, none of this is probably any new advice. If you start going crazy, head on over to our street any afternoon and you will find at least our little threesome outside...usually a few more to play with!
OH...and I almost forgot. Our city ( I will leave out the name of it for safety reasons) puts on several art and dance classes for reasonable prices. Benjamin has taken one of them, Petite Picassos. You can check that out, too.
Hey Jayne...I'm not much use in this blog...I think I'm the only mommy out there that 4 months into our 4th year, Alexander still REALLY wants his nap. But, I have NO DOUBT that as phenomenal as you are as a mom, you'll do great! I totally second Erica though...we have done Centerville Mom's AM Out, too...its awesome! Also, we have always done a weekly gym class, art class & music class at the Va Beach school of the Arts...they are INCREDIBLE!! We have done several of the "city" programs through the Leisure Guide and have loved them all!
Thanks everyone for your comments, letters (Heidi), anecdotes, and suggestions for classes/activities. While Grayson is away this week, I am brainstorming and coming up with a little schedule--I know, I know, I can't help it, it's that teacher in me!! Routine and schedule--I don't know any other way to work it for me sometimes.
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