Birthday Party Timing - Help!

TaterTot408 · June 2013

Lurker/occasional poster here with a birthday party question...

We are having a medium-sized party that we want to do open-house style. "Drop-in anytime between..." kind of thing. Probably a 3-hour block. But because Luke's nap schedule is relatively unpredictable, I can't figure out what the best time frame would be. I can try to manipulate his sleeping schedule, but we all know that that can be an exercise in futility...

I really want to avoid having an overtired, cranky baby at his own party.

So what time is your party going to be?

twinkletoes3126 · June 2013

Our party is at 11, but my son is a pretty consistent napper. He naps every day 8:30 to 10 and 1 to 3ish. He will end up going down for his second nap a little late but that's okay.

SJandVA · June 2013

I usually try for a party between 1st and 2nd nap. DD1 is a January baby so her parties have been inside and only 2 hours long. BUT this time around we are having a casual outside BBQ and Im hoping people will stay a little longer and have fun. So I'm going to try a 2pm or 3pm party and do a slightly earlier nap. Then she'll be good for the whole evening. That's the plan, we'll see of LO cooperates.

SpruceGrouse · June 2013

You should post more so we can see cute little Luke in your siggy.

Is there a way to track and perhaps take the average of when he finishes his naps so he will be happy and alert for the 3 hours?

brandyleighxx · June 2013

I haven't thought about the time it would be yet. Plus, things could change in 2 months. Currently, he naps early morning and again around noon. His afternoon nap is about 1.5-2 hrs. Given our current schedule, I'd shoot for 3pm. He'd wake up around 1:30 and have a bottle. That'd give us about an hour to prepare for guests and be available for any early comers.

ccam · June 2013

We're planning DS's birthday for later in the afternoon, around 3. By that time, he'll have 2 good naps in. He will have his longest awake time to enjoy the party before he's ready for bed.

JayandEmm · June 2013

Ds is a predictable napper, so his party will be after his afternoon nap at 3:30. I want to be sure he's very well rested that day.

Eta: he seems happier in the late afternoon, so that's why I chose that time. Plus, I don't want to serve lunch. Lol.

beckyfarrelly · June 2013

ccam:
We're planning DS's birthday for later in the afternoon, around 3. By that time, he'll have 2 good naps in. He will have his longest awake time to enjoy the party before he's ready for bed.

This exactly