Schedule with infants?

[Tracey]

Did or does anyone have a schedlue with their bpi child? I find it so hard to keep one because 4 days out of the week we are running to therapy. Otherwise, we have doctors or school activities. My family thinks I am terrible for not having a schedule, but I don't see how! Please tell me I'm not alone!

[crystal]

i think i am an ok parent, JAde and Emma aren't on a schedule. way is that so bad? they are very happy and behaved childern. i take q's from them. if they start rubbing their eyes 2 hours early then they go to bed 2 hours early. i have found that if you relax then they get on here own schedule.don't be worried about what other people say. there will always be parents that think you want to hear how to raise your kids. `but please don't get me going down that road. tell your family that its how it is and they have to live with it.how old are your kids? if they are really young it gets better with time.

[carron]

I have four kids and no schedule my son is almost 11 months we go to therapy twice a week and we also add in baseball, basketball and homework. How we do With God's help and my husband. They make their own schedule like she said take your clue's from them they will let you know. You can't make life a schedule just enjoy each day. I learned that the hard way. "smile"

[Tessie258]

You mean, "get in your seats and get your seat belts on", isn't a schedule? LOL...Now days I feel like I live in the car...If anyone asks about a schedule just say yes and leave it at that....You do have a schedule....You already said you go to therapy regularly....besides what is a schedule???? It's just what you do. Your kids will be fine as long as they get enough sleep and food and water(and Love)!!! People shouldn't judge you until they have to walk in your shoes...What would they have you give up?
Don't worry too much as long as you know you are taking good care of your kids...Do you know the parable about the man the boy and the mule? I don't know it exactly but the jist of it is the man and boy are going to market with the mule and several different towns they go through all judge them differently...One says the man is foolish to walk when he could ride...one says the man is selfish for riding and not letting the boy ride...one says they are cruel to both ride the mule. Then eventually they carry the mule....It can be ludicrous to try to please everyone...You just do what is right for you and smile sweetly at the rest.
Life is hard enough without having to carry around guilt that isn't your's to carry!!
T.

[Paula]

Well I say "phoowee" with a schedule. My son is 7 mos and eats, sleeps and craps (pardon my french) when HE wants. I have been keeping track of everything and looks like he eats and then sleeps every 2-3 hours. At first, there was no pattern then he by himself started to get into the "groove" of things before you knew it he was on his own little schedule sometimes stuck to it sometimes not. I don't belive in schedules. Let the baby do his/her own thing, both of you will be much happier.
---Paula

[TNT1999]

It's funny b/c we're running to therapy 4 days a week too (on top of theocratic and other responsibilities) and I can't imagine trying to get things done without a schedule. Well, you must have a schedule to some extent b/c I would imagine that the therapy is at the same time each week, right? I think that doing so much formal therapy forces me to stay on schedule pretty much. I also think that schedules are based on personalities for the most part. For me, I like to have a schedule rather than not. Plus, I have my TO DO list for the day and for the week, etc. Nicole seems to do well on a schedule too. However, she's not an infant -- she's 3 y.o. I know that the younger she was the less structured our day was. The older she gets, the easier it is to follow a schedule. I think flexibility is important too though. I know there are some Moms who would freakout if they're not home exactly by 2:00 for naptime. We often have days when we get home later than usual, etc. It's funny b/c when Nicole was an infant I didn't think we had too much of a schedule, but my m-i-l told me that I probably had more of a routine than I realized. She was right. You might find the same to be true for you. If not, try it perhaps and you might see that things are actually easier with a schedule (or not). Whatever you do, I wouldn't say anyone is "terrible" for not having a schedule and I'm sure that you're far from alone in this area. -Tina

[claudia]

I have 4 children. The first 3 are only 2 years apart in age. When they were little I had them very scheduled. I liked it and so did they. They always knew what was coming up, what was to be expected, and so did I. I had the image in my mind, when I was pregnant with number 4 that I would just tuck her under my arm and off I'd go. I guess BPI just wasn't in my plans, eh? She was scheduled as an infant, when she ate and when she went to bed. Her naps were not scheduled. The naps were scheduled for the big ones. To this day, 2 1/2 years later, she doesn't eat as well, she doesn't sleep as well, and doesn't make transitions as well as the big ones did (and do). The therapies really take nap schedules and shake them to the core. Juliana would sleep on the the way to one, and sleep on the way back from another. If the session was particularly hard she would sleep again. However, scheduling has to be something the mom likes. It was important to me and so my kids responded well to it. Now that they are in grade school, they are still schedule-y kids who like to know what is next and to be a part of the planning. I highly recommend schedules. Oh, but be sure to put some time in for yourself. That is one thing I really miss about not having a good schedule for Juliana, I had more time to myself with three little kids than I do with one BPI kid!!!! Go figure!!!!!! Hope it helps, claudia

[Kathleen Z]

If your current "schedule" works well for you, your baby, and the rest of your immediate family, then go with it. It is hard to have a rigid nap and feeding schedule with an infant who has lots of therapy and doctor's appointments. How old is your child?
What I did with my son when he was an infant (he's a year old now), was to plan a nap in the car before therapy. We had a 30-45 drive to therapy, so it was enough for a short nap. I also found that he was freshest in the morning after having a good nights sleep, so we always did therapy in the morning. Then, when we got home from therapy, we went back to the regular schedule as much as possible. That's what worked for us, but you have to figure out what works for you.

[christy]

Schedules went out the window with Katie..and she will be two in three days. What I think is more important to us is when does one find time for other stuff? Like cleaning, sleeping...and all that good stuff? I don't know how the parents with multiple kids or the single parents handle it. I give them (and the rest of us) big koodos! And warm fuzzies too. You just gotta do what you have to do..if they ask just say yes I have a schedule-it is called hectic but it is still a schedule.