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Sorry I posted twice by accident and can't delete this.:confused:
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About 2-3 days a week I am lucky enough to have a 30 minute break. Nap time is 1-3 here. There is usually about 30 minutes between the time the last child falls asleep and the time the first child wakes up. Often though, I spend that time cleaning the kitchen or picking up the playroom.Comment
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When I was trying to get one of my little ones to stop taking cat naps, i would just put her to sleep in the playroom with all the other kids in the morning. She was in a protected area, but it was not quiet at all. Her morning naps that she did get in were enough to keep her happy, yet they became shorter and less often, so soon she was able to get in a good solid afternoon nap. She was so much happier once she got some good sleep in rather than little naps here and there
Now I get anywhere from 1-3 hours of time when they're all sleeping, except for a 6 year old who plays quietly by himself. It's absolutely wonderful! I eat llunch, do devotions, do some cleaning...even sometimes get to read a book! I really hope that you can work something out so you get a break, we put in long hours and need at least a little one to avoid burnout! There have been times in my daycare where I didn't get a break, and it was not good for me OR my marriage--by the time the kiddos left, i was so exhausted and tired of having kids on me all day, I certainly didn't want a grown man hanging all over me:
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We get a break sometimes, too, but then we don't take babies anymore! Somehow we have finally gotten our kids in the routine that once they go to sleep (some days take longer than others, depending on how hard they try to stay awake), they're usually asleep until wake-up time. There are even times when I have trouble getting 2 or 3 of them to get up so we can pick up cots and get snack! After they go to sleep there's lunch clean-up and some general cleaning, but after that's done, it's break time for a few minutes. It hasn't always been this nice though! So I'm certainly relishing this new period!
I have found, though, that they seem to sleep much better and longer when they lay on cots instead of nap mats. There was a short period of time when we didn't have enough cots for every child, so we'd have to place one or two of them on a mat. Those children never seemed to go to sleep as fast, sleep as well, or stay asleep as long as the children sleeping on the cots. So if cots are possibly in the budget, I find them well worth it! It's worth my sanity, and the kid's improved attitudes in the afternoon after getting a good nap in
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The little guy I watch is 2 and half years old. He has a 4 month old baby sister. Before she came along I would nap him at 12:30 but then he would be up by 1:45-2:00. Just so happened one day schedule was off and he layed down at 1:30. I left at 3:00 and he was STILL sleeping. Mom said he didnt wake up until 4!!!!!
I since talked to mom and she loves the fact that he is still sleeping when she comes downstairs from work (she works from home). This way she gets a rest. I love it because my day really ends at 1:30 ish or so even though I don't leave until 3
As far as the baby is concerned, there is so much noise and activity between me and the little man that yes even though only 4 months old, she does not sleep (maybe 10-15 mins here and there) SOO...she naps when he does ::
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How old is your colicky baby? If he's small enough you might want to consider swaddling him. I've had a couple over the years that this really helped them to be able to sleep. To answer your question, though, I can usually get all of my kids (7) down to sleep by 12:45, and they rest or nap until 3:00. If I have babies, though, I usually like to have them nap in the morning so that I can spend some one-on-one time with them while the older kids sleep. I only take one baby at a time, though, so I don't mind giving up my break time to spend cuddling.Comment
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The colicky baby is 6 months old. Not at ALL cuddly. He is constantly kicking his feet and hates being swaddled. My own son who was colicky was a huge challenge, but not much that I found to help my son hasn't helped this little guy. Part of the issue I think is that mom doesn't think he is colicky, just fussy. First time mom and only child = held all the time and just no experience to know any different. I think his formula should be changed, but how do you tell them that? I have asked if they have tried different formulas and she said yes. I think I may have to research formulas. I never used formula myself. I am hoping for a better day tomorrow!Comment
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I feel for you, this is not fun at all. I had a little girl like this once, I really was at my wits end trying to figure out what to do to help her, when it seemed like almost overnight she did a complete 180. She turned into one of my favorite kids of all time. She went to school last fall, but still stops in every once in a while - she's like a ray of sunshine. So keep the faith, it will work out sooner than you think!Comment
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