Mothers Forum

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For those of you that have school age children as well as babies, how do you fit baby's naps around the school run?
I think my 8mth DD is trying to cut down to 2 naps but I am unsure how I will fit them in a round school, kindy and playcentre.
She is up around 6.45/7am at the moment, we try to be out of the house about 8.30am and am home not long after 9am. Then 2 days a week DS2 has kindy and I have to pick him up at 11.45am. DS1 has only been at school 1 term so I was leaving about 2.30pm so I was there when he came out of the class but he may now let me just turn up at 3 or just after.
I am just not sure if I can fit decent naps into those gaps and DD still be happy at 5.30pm for dinner.
What do others do? Thanks

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When my oldest was at kindy, my youngest would sleep in the pushchair on the walk to and from kindy which made that easy. By the time he was at school his little brother had dropped his naps so it wasn't an issue for me.

But a friend of mine had a similar dilemma with nap times around school pickups. So I would pick up her son from school and drop him home so she wouldn't have to disturb the baby. Perhaps there is someone that you could call on to do a favour for you? It was no hassle as I had to pick my kids up anyway so you may find someone who is happy to do that, especially if you can offer to have their kids at some point if they need a babysitter or such?

I know it's hard when the kids are in a set routine to change things but don't be afraid to ask for help

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Julie, Kidspot

My baby is 8 months old too, he goes down for his morning nap around 9.30am/10am and sleeps until around 11.30am... then he has his lunch and then my 2 year old has his nap around 1pm/1.30pm. My baby may decide to sleep again then too but lately I find that he is able to go down at around 4.30pm/5pm which is perfect for cooking dinner especially since he has his dinner early around 4pm... would a similar schedule work for you?

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Peace, Love, Happiness and Hugs.MumBum of three boys. XXX                                                                                               

Thanks for the replies.
Unfortunately there isn't anyone at present that can pick up my son from school and we are too far away to walk, but will keep my eye out for someone who may be able to help. Although he has said that he would be happy for me to arrive around 3pm next term so will give that a go, will give me an extra 30min at home.
My DD is teething and not sleeping well at night so can often be tired during the day. At the moment she is only happy to be up 2.5hrs or 3 at a push. If I can leave for school just before 3 I might be able to fit a nap in before and then she should last 3pm till 6pm-ish.
I am glad that I am not the only one who has these sorts of dilemmas, makes it easier to deal with if I know I am not alone!

It is hard isn't it? Especially when you just get it sorted then they decide to change their routines again!!!lol

Teething is always a hard one, just as well it doesn't last forever! Hope you can work something out so she settles into a bit of an easier routine and you can get everything done.
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Peace, Love, Happiness and Hugs.MumBum of three boys. XXX                                                                                               

We had the same dilema, although our school has varying finish times...2x a week finishing at 2pm and 3x at 3pm, which is just impossible if you want to have strict sleep times, so unfortunately baby #3 just has to fit in around it, lucky for me she doesn't seem to mind. Life story of the 3rd child aye, they just have to fit in!