Being Trained

     If you have ever had or been around a baby or a young child you understand that there are some things you just don't mess with, especially the nap and sleep schedule. We have found that when we get off the schedule, none of us are happy. Of course, there are different theories on how to approach a baby’s routine including not really having one at all and going with the flow to get done whatever the parent needs to do. Let the baby sleep whenever parent gets home, or just in the car; feed them whenever they seem hungry, but not necessarily a set time; if groceries need to be gotten, or a trip to the post office is in order, the baby can and will adjust. That is, the child becomes "flexible" so that they are better suited for those days that throw a curveball and the normal nap in the normal place is not possible.  

    Early in my fatherhood experience, I too shared these same grand visions of freely moving about town, running errands, and doing what needed to get done without being a tied to the baby's schedule. I even brought my son to the small law office I was doing some projects for when he was about 3 months old. The 2 attorneys and secretary there loved to see him whenever we needed to drop by to exchange files. One time, I thought maybe, just maybe I could get more done whether it be making some phone calls or drafting some letters, and he would  sleep peacefully for a couple of hours in his carseat.

     Yeah right...it's good to have dreams. 


     Our son had different plans and I was quickly whipped into shape.  It's as if babies exit the womb knowing how to run a schedule boot camp for their parents. From my own experience and also from speaking with others about this, every parent falls into line eventually. Further, it is funny the importance which the schedule takes on for most parents of young children.  For example, I have a nephew that is three months older than our baby. Almost every time I speak with my brother we spend 10 out of the 20 minutes during our conversation talking about how the boys are sleeping and the schedule they are currently on.

     What I have realized is the schedule really is not for the child, but for the parent. Well, maybe that is a little bit too exaggerated but I would say it is for both parent and child. Although the routine changes from time to time, I know with 75% certainty that right now my son will sleep for about 90 minutes in the morning and about 2 hrs + in the afternoon, SO LONG AS I put him in his crib at 9 am and 2 pm. It's not that he's not going to survive if he isn't down then but he's not going to sleep as long. So, if being a devoted schedule follower can mean a consistent 3 1/2 hrs (most days) of quiet time guess where my son is everyday at 9 am and 2 pm.  

     Now, if I could figure out my own schedule. Maybe I ought to take naps at 9:00 and 2:00 too?  Think I'll probably be doing other stuff then...but more on that in a bit.