Is all my hard work going to be ruined in September?!?!

So today I left Sadie with my Mom because Dh and I went to the Mets game with some friends.

I worked so hard since the end of the school year to get her on a nap schedule and to nap in her crib.

She now naps like 1-2hrs in the am and like 2-3hrs in the afternoon in her crib and she puts herself to sleep. It's AWESOME!!!!

Today, she refused to nap for my mom. I brought everything she is used too (sound machine, her lovey, her other stufffed animals that are normally in her crib etc). She napped for like 45 min when I first brought her there (she fell asleep in the car) but my mom couldnt get her to sleep for more than 20/30 mins in the afternoon when she has been sleeping 2.5hrs at home. My mom even tried rocking her (which I do when she gets way overtired on occasion)

She is now an overtired, slap-happy whiny baby.

Now i am freaking because when I go back..DD spends two days with my mom, 3 with MIL and then she is with us on the weekends. My mom and MIL have completely different "styles" and I really dont want her to be miserable all day long because of lack of sleep.

How is this going to work!?!??

Re: Is all my hard work going to be ruined in September?!?!

I am right there with you. I finally got DD on somewhat of a normal sleep schedule (but I do use the term "schedule" loosely). I've worked for about 8 weeks to get where we are now.

I'm starting her at daycare next week. She will be in a room with 5 other babies all day. She is SO interested and SO alert that I know for the first few days she will not want to sleep. I have spoken to the teachers about this--they said that they see it all the time, but that in just a few days, they will fall into a routine.

The only thing I can stress to you is this--make sure that your mom and your MIL follow your routines exactly, and don't change it up at all. When I went back to work in March, my mom ignored all of my wishes about putting her down awake, and at normal times. Instead she rocked her to sleep, let her fall asleep on her chest, etc. etc. Needless to say, when I came home for the summer, I really had my work cut out for me.

Even if your mom's and your MIL's styles are different, they can both follow the plan that you set into motion for them.

Don't worry--your DD will adjust. I keep telling myself this as work is approaching. She'll adjust, just as she always has in the past.

Message edited 8/5/2009 6:18:10 PM.

Re: Is all my hard work going to be ruined in September?!?!

she will adjust. it will just take time. but once she is used to it, it will work.

DS is a really great napper but he won't nap for more than 45 minutes to an hour at my mom's because he's not used to the crib there. we just work around it.

Re: Is all my hard work going to be ruined in September?!?!

I agree completely. Now DD has major separation anxiety issues so I feel she was so used to the babysitter, now she cries when I leave her with anyone.

I will have to worry about the sleep and separation issues

Re: Is all my hard work going to be ruined in September?!?!

Wow. I could have written this post except that my DD goes to a sitter's house. I absolutely adore the woman that watches her, but I am so scared of her getting off schedule.

I am also a teacher returning to work and my DD's naps are just like your DD's. So, I don't have any words of advice, I just wanted to commiserate with you.

Re: Is all my hard work going to be ruined in September?!?!

Same deal here.

I also think that there are things beyond our control that we dont even think about in regard to other locations. A matress might be a different level of softness or hardness. The smells or sounds of a different place can have an effect on napping. Abby naps MUCH longer at home than in day care. Her feedings are better at home than anywhere else. The babies know a lot more than we may give them credit for.

Re: Is all my hard work going to be ruined in September?!?!

Your work won't be ruined everyone will just have to adjust. DD will be in different surrounding so she will have to figure out her way. I wouldn't worry so much since it's out of your control and MIL and your mother will figure it all out.