In a month I am planning on staying with my parents for my 10th college reunion. My ds will be with me and he will be 14 months then. I'd like some time to go out without my son and my parents are happy to watch him(-; I just am worried about my son since I've rarely left him with others. I'm looking for some suggestions on what to do to prepare him (and myself).
Right now I will probably spend 1/2 day doing activities with son and 1/2 day doing things without him. However, if the weather is miserable, he'd be better at home with my parents (I'm more worried about it being super disgusting hot- rain, cold, we can deal with, heat I can't). I'm considering asking my parents to put him down for the night OR to put him down to sleep and then go back out for a late night with my friends.
I have left him for short periods of time 2-3 hours (not very often). I think he would do find with my parents during the day-- it is often that he is fine when he can't see me, but as soon as he sees me, he's unhappy. Plus, he's older now and seems much more independant during the day. I just worry about this being a whole weekend of stuff.
Currently, he nurses at night (8:30 ish). He usually wakes around 1:00 and sometimes will go back to sleep, but usually needs to nurse at that time. I have left him one time after he fell asleep to go out with friends. My son stayed asleep, so I really don't know how he would have done if he had awoken. My dh has gotten him back to sleep on a few occasions. He takes a paci (sigh), so that might settle him- it is just that he is used to a midnight snack. I've been starting to think about extending that- ideally for dh and I, it would be better if he slept from 8:30-3:00- I've been considering the Jay Gordon method (7 hours of sleep) anyways. I try some of the NCSS, but I'm in no rush to nightwean and with teething that has thrown back any positive improvements. I'm more worried that my son would wake around 12:00 and be very upset... I feel selfish for wanting to come home around 2ish.
He takes food well, but nurses a lot, too. He's has some cows milk and will take it in a sippy cup. I've never tried this at night instead of nursing- thoughts?
I'm also worried about the food- should I pump for the night bottle/sippy cup? For daytime feedings too- or will he just increase his solids to make up for missed breastmilk.
Currently, I am trying to nurse him THEN read stories and snuggle down to sleep. 50% of the time he still will get upset and I nurse him while he is lying down- so this is an improvement. My thought is that I should start having my husband read and snuggle after son is fed and diapered. Once I start this how long would dh HAVE to do this soley (I'm imagining that he'd have to do the night routing till it is established and than I can start doing it occasionally). I'm not sure dh will be so thrilled about that.
I hesitate to send this because everythign might change in a month anyways :LOL but I think there are some things I can try to make it SUCCESSFUL and pleasurable for him. I'll scrap all my plans if it isn't working, but it would be nice to see all my friends. I also have a group of moms that I feel like I should start to trade babysitting times with.
Side note: If I'm home with ds (or have to leaveto go back home) I also won't be able to give anyone any future parenting advice as we will be competing with several sleep-through-the-night-ferberized babes. I say that half joking, but there is some truth to it- luckily I can blame it on the fact that my dh doesn't really do sleep times nap times or night times- nor will he 'baby sit' so I get a break. Or I can blame it on the proverbial 'tooth' my son has a really hard time with teething.
I'm also considering coming to visit my parents the week before- that way we might be able to settle into a bit of a routine before I go out.
Gosh, he's 14 months, I certainly don't feel restricted, but after reading this I feel like I'm making a huge deal about it.
A small part of me wants to show all the naysayers what a well adjusted and wonderful boy he IS, a small part of me is afraid he won't need me, and the rest of me must be tired and confused- LOL.
Help!!!
Jessica
Right now I will probably spend 1/2 day doing activities with son and 1/2 day doing things without him. However, if the weather is miserable, he'd be better at home with my parents (I'm more worried about it being super disgusting hot- rain, cold, we can deal with, heat I can't). I'm considering asking my parents to put him down for the night OR to put him down to sleep and then go back out for a late night with my friends.
I have left him for short periods of time 2-3 hours (not very often). I think he would do find with my parents during the day-- it is often that he is fine when he can't see me, but as soon as he sees me, he's unhappy. Plus, he's older now and seems much more independant during the day. I just worry about this being a whole weekend of stuff.
Currently, he nurses at night (8:30 ish). He usually wakes around 1:00 and sometimes will go back to sleep, but usually needs to nurse at that time. I have left him one time after he fell asleep to go out with friends. My son stayed asleep, so I really don't know how he would have done if he had awoken. My dh has gotten him back to sleep on a few occasions. He takes a paci (sigh), so that might settle him- it is just that he is used to a midnight snack. I've been starting to think about extending that- ideally for dh and I, it would be better if he slept from 8:30-3:00- I've been considering the Jay Gordon method (7 hours of sleep) anyways. I try some of the NCSS, but I'm in no rush to nightwean and with teething that has thrown back any positive improvements. I'm more worried that my son would wake around 12:00 and be very upset... I feel selfish for wanting to come home around 2ish.
He takes food well, but nurses a lot, too. He's has some cows milk and will take it in a sippy cup. I've never tried this at night instead of nursing- thoughts?
I'm also worried about the food- should I pump for the night bottle/sippy cup? For daytime feedings too- or will he just increase his solids to make up for missed breastmilk.
Currently, I am trying to nurse him THEN read stories and snuggle down to sleep. 50% of the time he still will get upset and I nurse him while he is lying down- so this is an improvement. My thought is that I should start having my husband read and snuggle after son is fed and diapered. Once I start this how long would dh HAVE to do this soley (I'm imagining that he'd have to do the night routing till it is established and than I can start doing it occasionally). I'm not sure dh will be so thrilled about that.
I hesitate to send this because everythign might change in a month anyways :LOL but I think there are some things I can try to make it SUCCESSFUL and pleasurable for him. I'll scrap all my plans if it isn't working, but it would be nice to see all my friends. I also have a group of moms that I feel like I should start to trade babysitting times with.
Side note: If I'm home with ds (or have to leaveto go back home) I also won't be able to give anyone any future parenting advice as we will be competing with several sleep-through-the-night-ferberized babes. I say that half joking, but there is some truth to it- luckily I can blame it on the fact that my dh doesn't really do sleep times nap times or night times- nor will he 'baby sit' so I get a break. Or I can blame it on the proverbial 'tooth' my son has a really hard time with teething.
I'm also considering coming to visit my parents the week before- that way we might be able to settle into a bit of a routine before I go out.
Gosh, he's 14 months, I certainly don't feel restricted, but after reading this I feel like I'm making a huge deal about it.
A small part of me wants to show all the naysayers what a well adjusted and wonderful boy he IS, a small part of me is afraid he won't need me, and the rest of me must be tired and confused- LOL.
Help!!!
Jessica
They really know how to play on our insecurities! You will probably be nervous no matter what you decide, so make sure you have a cell phone and can check in when you need to, and if you make sure you can leave whenever you think you need to , you'll probably feel more secure about going! Good luck, momma, and don't forget to have some fun!!
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