QOTD For the MOMMIES: Are you a 'get up and go' on a whim mom (with baby?)

Just wanted to see what everyone thinks about this.

For the most part, if I get a last minute call to help out at work, or even to run out for a playgroup, I get JA packed up and into the car and we head out.
Or if I know ahead of time, I plan his nap earlier, and we go on with life.

A few of the moms I know tend to revolve around their kids naptimes to the point that they call and say they wont make it to XYZ's house for our playgroup because their child is still sleeping.

YES, I understand that they can be fusspots with no nap or a delayed nap. But these are things that are planned way in advance. Why cant they just plan the nap an hour here or there? It drives me a bit nuts andI tend to avoid going out with certain ones. They usually come really late or call and dont come at all because their child was napping..

I friend of mine, years back. She, hubby and baby came about 2 hours late, to her own childs 1st Birthday party, because she was napping and they didnt want to wake her!


Another time, different person. We were going on a long road trip about 3 cars of us (we were dating, didnt have kids ) and one couple, they didnt want to leave the house until their daughter (Who had JUST fallen asleep) would have her 2 hour nap!) and we were all outside waiting (3 cars) we had all planned this meeting time to leave early when there was less traffic. Why couldnt they just throw her in the car to sleep on the road?? (eventually they only waited 15minutes )

I try to be somewhat in between the extremes. Babies and toddlers NEED that nap. It calms them, refreshes them, and without them, they are NO party, I know. But to what extreme do you go? Of course sometimes I feel bad if he doesnt get that nice solid nap in his own crib.

Am I being harsh? They should be used to sleeping in all types of settings, or you will be sorry when you are at someone's house or just anywhere but home and they cant fall asleep....

Opinions?

I have napped Damien earlier on the holidays because he never ends up napping or does at like 6pm.

My problem is BF'd. I'm not at all comfortable doing it in public So I always have to worry about that.

LOL LOL LOL I'm with you on this one Anna!

I am always taking Luke out and about. He can nap at different times if need be. The only time that I've been very specific about his daily routine was after Christmas this year. He had a whirlwind 4 days between Xmas eve, Xmas day, the day after with all his cousins, the next day was a party for my Mom with all my family. Finally on the 5th day, I decided to have an indoor Lukie calm down day. I could tell by the last day of seeing people it was getting to be too much - staying up late and so many people. And generally I dont take him out for the heck of it in the evening - like I wouldnt cart him off to Macy's at 7pm. But I wont leave someone's house because he usually goes to sleep at 8pm.

My SIL was notorious for the routine with my niece. My niece is now 3 and has a younger brother so I think it's relaxed alot. But it was always 'Nikki needs her nap at such and such time and she can ONLY sleep in her crib' She controlled many a family functions with when she insisted Nikki needed to sleep at home. I didnt have Luke at time but even then I thought it was a bit much. Then the minute Nikki was showing signs of being too wound up, she insisted they had to go home right away because she can't sleep in the carseat either (OK what kid NEVER sleeps in the car seat?)

I hope Im not insulting anyone by saying how this was so silly. I'm using the word 'never' here as in never varied it. It was very annoying when it came to stuff at my Mom's house. Derek & I lived in Queens at the time and so did my Mom but my brother & SIL lived 25 miles away so if it was a family dinner, we always had to wait for Nikkis naptime and then for them to drive into Queens. My niece never slept anywhere but her crib for 2 years. Not even in a play yard at someone's house. I think my SIL learned her lesson when she tried to go to her friend's lake house for the weekend and my niece wouldnt go to sleep. She had to drive 3 hours back at 1am with a 2 year old and she was 6 months preggo at the time. Can you imagine?

OK enough parent bashing on my SIL. I know she was doing what she thought was best, it just seemed way too inflexible. I dont think that's good for the child either.

Emma is on MY schedule. If she naps, she naps, if she doesn't, she doesn't. She is generally a very happy baby and adjusts well to any situation. I've lucked out with this one.

I know everyone tells you that babies love routines and schedules but I dont agree. Yes we have many consistencies but I am not going to let it rule my life.

If Emma is sleeping and I need to go out, REALLY NEED then I wake her up and hope she either goes back to sleep or goes to sleep earlier than usual. If someone asks us to come over or there is mail that SHOULD get to the post office I wait for her to get up.

I hope that answered your question... I usually talk in circles.

I'm not exactly at that point yet (Nicolas sleeps where ever, when ever), but I think I'll be the kind of mom who doesn't let naptime (or bedtime) be a factor in what I do. I remember going out with my parents as a kid, falling asleep at their friends' houses or at a party and being carried to the car, then to the house and to bed. That'll probably be me.

Before Nicky was born, Patrick and I discussed this very subject and agreed that Nicky is a wonderful asset to OUR lives, and he will assimilate into our lives, not vice-versa. (Of course there are exceptions to every rule... )

Alex is very flexible with his naps... he usually naps at definate times, but if I have things to do.. I go do them... He enjoys being out when we are out and then SLEEEPS the entire time we are in the car... it adds up to how mnuch he normally sleeps!!

Sometimes if he didnt sleep at all, and I know that he JUST fell asleep before we got home, I will drive to Dairy barn and get a cup of coffee to kill some time and enjoy the quiet!