My child goes to daycare during the day. She is watched by my mother, my husband or myself when she is not in daycare. It all depends on our crazy schedules.
I used to be a stay at home mom, it was so easy to keep a schedule. Now I am in school and working part time.
For those of you with crazy lives like me, how do you maintain structure in your child's life when they spend time with multiple authority figures?
2006-10-22 15:04:03 · 7 answers · asked by katherinernilson 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I would try keeping the daycare schedule. Breakfast at ____, nap at ______, lunch at________, and snack at _______. I would ask that everyone keep this schedule. I would also, try giving her a bath and putting her to bed at the same time EVERY night no matter who has her. The schedule is for her benefit so she will not be so tired and crazy. I hope this helps. I have done this with all three of my boys.
2006-10-22 15:18:17 · answer #1 · answered by country girl 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bedtime and nap time need to stay structured. Everyone who watches the child needs to know what time those two things happen. Meals can have a little flexability but toddlers shouldn't eat late anyway because they usually have an early bedtime. Crockpot cooking helps because it frees up time from cooking late in the afternoon and allows for one on one time with the child. Before bedtime stories is a nice and easy thing to implement as a way of the child settling down for the night.
2006-10-22 15:17:04 · answer #2 · answered by Subi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I too feel your pain. I have a 3 and 4 y/o that go to preschool. I work sometimes during the day and other times at night (11p-7a) and hubby works 4p-1a. So it's VERY hard to get them on a schedule and keep it there. They are watched by their aunt and uncle when we work, and they know their bedtimes and stick to them. The only times it is rough on them is when hubby has to pick them up from there at 1:30am after he gets home from work. I have a really good employer who doesn't make me work nights during the school week. So, that helps. Just try and make sure that everyone who watches your child knows the schedule you have made and sticks to it. Good luck!!
2006-10-22 15:38:17 · answer #3 · answered by Crystal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's "Structure"? LOL. Well first of all ground rules have to be set...there must be ONE set of rules for EVERYONE who cares for this child. She can't be told "NO" by daddy and then have grandma come along and say "Yes". So I suggest everyone sit down and discuss where the "NOs" should be enforced and when Yes will apply, because getting mixed messages from all sides is only going to confuse the poor child and make her crankier and nastier than two year olds "normally" are.
2006-10-22 16:16:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is the life story of almost everyone who has kids!!
i have 3 girls ages 4,5, and 7 that i share joint custody of. so schedules being the same NEVER happen. but both of us parents have managed to work out an agreement of bedtime being the same (naptimes were the same too when my kids were still taking them)
as long as they are being fed at decent hours and having the same nap/bed times then i think she'll be just fine!! kids learn to adapt pretty quickly to their surroundings and it will actually make her a more flexible and rounded person when she's older
2006-10-22 16:10:28 · answer #5 · answered by prncessang228 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is in daycare 2 days a week, with his grandparents one day a week, and with me the rest of the week. I don't believe in schedules. He eats when he's hungry & sleeps when he's tired. It works great for us.
2006-10-23 02:56:18 · answer #6 · answered by njyecats 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ha! You don't, but you do get a child that is more flexible. As long as bedtimes and mealtimes are semi-regular, don't worry about it!
2006-10-22 15:13:05 · answer #7 · answered by imzadi 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋