Need a schedule!

[MrsBone]

I'm so bad about this. DS needs a schedule for sleep. He's 3 and has never really had a strict schedule, but with DD at 9 months old, I'm finding that a schedule would probably benefit us all. I like to go and do alot, and we do at least 2 sometimes 3 playdates a week. Which means DD's naps are usually pretty hit or miss. I'd love to at least have one nap a day that's consistent with her. Right now she's teething which means nothing is consistent, and I'm pretty sure she's close to giving up the morning nap. I'm hoping I can get to where she'll just take one long afternoon nap, preferably after we've been out all morning, or outside, wearing out the toddler. He doesn't take naps anymore, and that's fine with me as long as he goes to bed at a decent time, which right now doesn't happen. He's up until 9:30 or 10 every night and up at 8. DD is up at 7:30 or 8...I'd love to push his bedtime back and make sure he gets worn out each day so he'll go to bed earlier. Any thoughts on how to implement this? The reason I am okay with DD giving up her morning nap is that we live at least 10 miles from anything, and by the time I get the kids out of the house in the morning, it's almost time for her morning nap. Then if I wait until after the morning nap I run into needing to do lunch while we're out, and I hate that..I don't want to go out to eat, and I prefer eating at home. I'd love for kids to be up by 7 or 7:30, breakfast, get ready and out the door at 9, back home by lunch, then do the baby's nap by 1 or 1:30. Get some stuff done, then after baby wakes maybe play outside some more or go to the park, then come home and get started on dinner. Bed by 7:30 or 8 for both kids (ideally) I also want to mention, when he gets worn out from exercise, he doesn't get cranky, he gets calm and is more willing to play on his own for a bit, so I can get some stuff done. This would be ideal. It seems like if DS gets enough exercise during the day he can sleep 12 hours at night. Without exercise he's up late and then up earlier than he needs to bed, is usually tired by 5:15 or so, and wants to take a late nap. This throws everything off of course!  I'd love some tips on helping implement a schedule!

[sundaya]

I have almost the same age difference, with a non-napping 3 year old and a 6 month old, so I just wanted to say a big, I hear ya!! Our days are confounded by DH's flipping schedule- he works 12 hours, sometimes days, sometimes nights and has to sleep during the day. I don't have a strict schedule, per se, but we're in progress with working out a routine. What I started with was a blank sheet of notebook paper and what time things happen that cannot change, and went from there. Our mornings are generally chore/play in the house time, and afternoons get out to the park time. During the summer, cuz it's scorching hot here in the afternoon, that's reversed.

I've tried and tried to do a "strict" schedule, but I think I just stink at it. Getting into a routine has really helped with DD's bedtime, though. Our rough day looks like this.

wake up  (7-8)

chill in the play room with a cup of coffee (just for me!!!)  for a bit, then get dressed

breakfast, clean kitchen, do some chores while DD (3 year old) either helps or plays with her toys underfoot. DS should nap somewhere in here, but that was the story of another post ;)

lunch between 12-1

out and about- park, grocery shop, etc (DS's best nap of the day in the sling during this time frame) We bring a snack for DD.

home by about 4 or 4:30

do a craft/project with DD while DS plays on the floor on a quilt

start dinner around 5 (usually while DD continues on with the project, or helps make dinner)  DS usually takes another catnap here n pack n play in kitchen.

eat at 6ish

cleanup from dinner

bath at 7

then it depends on the day, if DH comes home around 7:30, kiddos go to sleep around 8:30 (and sleep later next am). If DH is at work, they go to sleep closer to 7:30 (and wake closer to 7 in the am).

Hope that helps in some way!