If you have a newborn and preschooler, how do you do it?

wheelenl · December 2009

I have a 3 yo and a newborn (2 weeks old). 3 yo doesn't like to nap anymore, but does nap the two days he goes to childcare. Which just means he's up later. But anyway...

How do you do it? How do you survive on such little sleep when you can't just "sleep when the baby sleeps"? Even with my older one still going to childcare two days/week while I'm on maternity leave I'm just so exhausted.

TIA!

AEberly · December 2009

I am in the same boat, and my newborn won't let me go to bed till midnight no matter what I do. I just take it one hour and day at a time.

krcdm · December 2009

I kept my 2.5 year old in preschool (because she gets bored home with me and because we would lose her spot if I took her out for my leave). I pick her up every day at 12 and she comes home for her nap. She naps from about 12:30 to 3:30. My son has been having his biggest nap during that time too, so somehow it has worked out perfectly. I don't think I could handle it if she didn't go to school for 3 hours in the morning and then nap. It is very difficult when they are both up, usually from about 3:30 until 6:30 when my husband gets home. Usually I am with my mom during that time. Would your 3 year old have "quiet" time so you can relax, even if he doesn't nap?

Tonya_G · December 2009

DS is able to get up in the mornings, entertain himself for awhile, and then come and get me when he's ready for breakfast- he often makes his way downstairs without me even hearing him and some days tries to get his own cereal, which is always a treat for mommy to clean up later... He also has actually been taking a nap lately, after fighting it all the time when he was 3- I swear that was the most horrible age for us!

I know when we would tell DS it was "naptime", it put him on red alert and he'd never be able to settle down and fall asleep. We changed naptime to "quiet time" or "rest time", and told him that he didn't have to fall asleep, but must remain in his room, where he can look at books and play quietly for at least one hour. This seriously worked miracles for us. Even the days he didn't sleep, he was better behaved in the evenings and calmer. If you did something like this, that would at least give you the chance for a cat nap in the afternoon with baby.

Blueyedgrl · December 2009

I honestly think I am just in survival mode...lol. Its been a hard adjustment, though I use my 4 yr old as my helper, and when she gets home from school its time to relax, she doesn't have to sleep but she has to lay down. I usually put in a movie or something for her..make sure she has something to drink and close my eyes. I also I make sure I nap when she is at school. Otherwise I just do what I have to do and if that means that we all go to bed at 7:30 then we all go to bed at 7:30. My DH is only home one day a week so I really have to do whatever I can to survive. I also rely on friends to give me a break...and I don't worry if the house is spotless or things like that anymore..

MrsPreK · December 2009

I guess I got lucky. DS is still a toddler but rarely naps and even when he does it's for 30 minutes max.

DD is just so chill and is content to sit if I need her too. She also started STTN @ 6 weeks. DS still doesn't STTN but at least we can try and ignore him LOL.

What do they say? It's the hardest job you'll ever love? Got that right!

Joann&Nick62007 · December 2009

I have a 3.5yr old and a 2month older. Its easy in some ways..but lately my 3yr old has a been attitude central. Stopped taking naps about 2wks ago so i told him he needs to have room time for 1hr (he trys to come out like every 15min..we're working on that). so i make his "room time" the same time my 2month old naps. I get at least an hour to my day!

coffeeqween · December 2009

how do I survive? barely I swear! no really keeping ds in preschool has helped a lot. also I put a baby gate in his room at naptime bc most days he won't nap but at least he will stay in there and play for a while. lastly dh and my mom help a lot. dh will give bottle at 10p so I can go to bed and then puts lo down in bassinet after I am asleep and I get up in the middle of the nite. I hear it gets easier we need to just hang in there!

thetwistedwillow · December 2009

My DD will be 3 in March so our kids are pretty close in age. I also have a 4-yr-old (going on 5) who goes to preschool but she's isn't home all day because it is "real school" and not just daycare.

Consistency is key. If DS is having naps at childcare then he should be having a rest time at the same time he gets it at childcare. Even if he won't sleep he needs to be put safely in his room with a stuffed animal and some books for "rest". During that time you and baby can also nap. If DS won't stay in his room you could put a baby gate up so he stays in there.

Today my DD, the baby and I all took a nap in my bed at the same time. It was nice and my DD loved getting to sleep in my bed with me.

It will get better, I promise! Take it one day at a time.

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