Comments on: Cop-out http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/ Moms of Multiples Tell it Like it Is Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:40:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anita http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/comment-page-1/#comment-5208 Anita Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:43:28 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=2914#comment-5208 Before twins/kids, we were "do-ers". When the twins were born, we became "survivors." However, when the 4th rolled around and they were only 2 mths old, I didn't want to miss a holiday. It took 2 hrs of packing, but we took the twins to Castle Island to watch the Constitution turn around and the parade of boats. We were there for maybe an hour. Prep time was longer than activity time! And I was a WRECK back then (before the happy pills). And then when they were 3, we did actually take them to see fire-works. We parked far enough away/but close to home, and watched them from the back of our truck. No problems. Then when Ryan was born, and he was only 5 mths old, it was a family fireworks trip. Although sometimes stressful (because of the "unknown") it's OK to stray away from a schedule to do something "fun"...which I think you experienced going to Marblehead. I have found through major trial and error that kids are more flexable than we give them credit for. This comes from the Schedule-Nazi 2001. I hope you have fun at halloween and the next 4th! .-= Anita´s last blog ..<a href="http://anitajd.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/things-i-miss/" rel="nofollow">Things I Miss</a> =-. Before twins/kids, we were “do-ers”. When the twins were born, we became “survivors.” However, when the 4th rolled around and they were only 2 mths old, I didn’t want to miss a holiday. It took 2 hrs of packing, but we took the twins to Castle Island to watch the Constitution turn around and the parade of boats. We were there for maybe an hour. Prep time was longer than activity time! And I was a WRECK back then (before the happy pills). And then when they were 3, we did actually take them to see fire-works. We parked far enough away/but close to home, and watched them from the back of our truck. No problems. Then when Ryan was born, and he was only 5 mths old, it was a family fireworks trip. Although sometimes stressful (because of the “unknown”) it’s OK to stray away from a schedule to do something “fun”…which I think you experienced going to Marblehead. I have found through major trial and error that kids are more flexable than we give them credit for. This comes from the Schedule-Nazi 2001. I hope you have fun at halloween and the next 4th!
.-= Anita´s last blog ..Things I Miss =-.

]]> By: becky@oursweetpeas http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/comment-page-1/#comment-5192 becky@oursweetpeas Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:30:44 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=2914#comment-5192 "Sometimes this gets me out of doing things I’d rather not do. And sometimes it’s an enabling excuse to do nothing." I am so with you on this one. The boys turned two in April so this Summer we have relaxed a bit and stayed at friends a little past their bedtime or at a park a bit after their nap but before 2 I rarely did any of this. Things still get mundane from time to time but usually when I feel blah about that our schedule gets hectic and I long for the mundane again :) .-= becky@oursweetpeas´s last blog ..<a href="http://oursweetpeasinapod.blogspot.com/2009/07/organizing-all-little-toys-that-become.html" rel="nofollow">Organizing all the LITTLE toys that become a big problem</a> =-. “Sometimes this gets me out of doing things I’d rather not do. And sometimes it’s an enabling excuse to do nothing.”

I am so with you on this one. The boys turned two in April so this Summer we have relaxed a bit and stayed at friends a little past their bedtime or at a park a bit after their nap but before 2 I rarely did any of this. Things still get mundane from time to time but usually when I feel blah about that our schedule gets hectic and I long for the mundane again :)
.-= becky@oursweetpeas´s last blog ..Organizing all the LITTLE toys that become a big problem =-.

]]> By: Mommy, Esq. http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/comment-page-1/#comment-5182 Mommy, Esq. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:07:42 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=2914#comment-5182 Interesting - I wonder if this will contribute to your consideration of a third child. Once you can be more flexible won't it be harder to go back? We did our first "spontaneous" outing on Sunday - to the local zoo! The kids lasted 1.5 hrs but that was pretty darn good. I don't miss that third nap at all! .-= Mommy, Esq.´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.mommyesq.com/2009/07/batten-down-hatches.html" rel="nofollow">Batten Down the Hatches</a> =-. Interesting – I wonder if this will contribute to your consideration of a third child. Once you can be more flexible won’t it be harder to go back? We did our first “spontaneous” outing on Sunday – to the local zoo! The kids lasted 1.5 hrs but that was pretty darn good. I don’t miss that third nap at all!
.-= Mommy, Esq.´s last blog ..Batten Down the Hatches =-.

]]> By: Gwyn http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/comment-page-1/#comment-5179 Gwyn Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:28:19 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=2914#comment-5179 Wow, I love this blog; y'all almost always make me feel better or at least less alone! Most days, I feel like such a slave to the nap schedule and long for variety, but I know if we deviate from the schedule, the rest of the day (and sometimes days after) will be hellish chaos. And, their nap is the only me time I get to attempt a novel or nap of my own, or at least find some comaderie among fellow MOMs online. So, while I'm looking forward to the hopefully more varied days when my 14-month-olds no longer require naps, I'm also anxious about them knowing I may never get to finish a book again! another nap nazi! Wow, I love this blog; y’all almost always make me feel better or at least less alone! Most days, I feel like such a slave to the nap schedule and long for variety, but I know if we deviate from the schedule, the rest of the day (and sometimes days after) will be hellish chaos. And, their nap is the only me time I get to attempt a novel or nap of my own, or at least find some comaderie among fellow MOMs online. So, while I’m looking forward to the hopefully more varied days when my 14-month-olds no longer require naps, I’m also anxious about them knowing I may never get to finish a book again!

another nap nazi!

]]> By: Jungletwins http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/comment-page-1/#comment-5175 Jungletwins Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:35:30 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=2914#comment-5175 I know what you mean. Sometimes the Groundhogdayness drives me bananas. I too am trying to break the routine and challenge them, and myself, a bit more. But I will never part with their morning nap. I love my coffee, and the leisurely pace at which I can drink it while their napping, too damn much. On weekends, I have started to break the shackles of the afternoon nap. They aren't as attached to it, and I realize something's gotta give. Baby steps ;) .-= Jungletwins´s last blog ..<a href="http://jungletwins.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/picking-out-their-own-clothes/" rel="nofollow">Picking Out Their Own Clothes</a> =-. I know what you mean. Sometimes the Groundhogdayness drives me bananas. I too am trying to break the routine and challenge them, and myself, a bit more. But I will never part with their morning nap. I love my coffee, and the leisurely pace at which I can drink it while their napping, too damn much. On weekends, I have started to break the shackles of the afternoon nap. They aren’t as attached to it, and I realize something’s gotta give. Baby steps ;)
.-= Jungletwins´s last blog ..Picking Out Their Own Clothes =-.

]]> By: Shannon Best http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/comment-page-1/#comment-5173 Shannon Best Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:38:30 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=2914#comment-5173 OMG. I just read your post out loud to my husband who is lyinghere in bed. He asked "Did you write that?" lol Oh dear. I could have written the exact same words. For the past 3 years 2 months and some odd days I have been doing the.same.thing. The weekends don't seem any different than the weekdays. And, I too am far from my hometown with all my friends and the other side of my family. (Hopefully my husband and I will be moving back soon) I can so relate. But I have also learned to embrace the place I live. Bloom where you are planted so says Mary E. So, just saying I can relate. -Shannon in Austin Mom to Porter and Abigail - 3 years .-= Shannon Best´s last blog ..<a href="http://porterandabigail.blogspot.com/2009/07/did-i-mention-we-were-part-of-supper.html" rel="nofollow">Did I mention we were part of a supper club?</a> =-. OMG. I just read your post out loud to my husband who is lyinghere in bed. He asked “Did you write that?” lol

Oh dear. I could have written the exact same words. For the past 3 years 2 months and some odd days I have been doing the.same.thing. The weekends don’t seem any different than the weekdays.
And, I too am far from my hometown with all my friends and the other side of my family. (Hopefully my husband and I will be moving back soon)
I can so relate.
But I have also learned to embrace the place I live. Bloom where you are planted so says Mary E.
So, just saying I can relate.
-Shannon in Austin
Mom to Porter and Abigail – 3 years
.-= Shannon Best´s last blog ..Did I mention we were part of a supper club? =-.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/comment-page-1/#comment-5170 Jamie Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:19:30 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=2914#comment-5170 We were definitely schedule keepers in our house. Now, at almost 3, we are no longer napping. The transition created some whining and crankines but it's been worth it. We no longer have to run back to the house in the middle of having a fun time. The best thing about them being older has to be planning new, fun family traditions to start with our children. They are old enough to remember and appreciate the special new things. Easter was the first one ... the twins were 2-1/2 ... and they are still talking about finding easter egss with the easter bunny ... they did it last year and don't remember it. I was so anxious to start some family traditions of our own that I think I pushed it on them too soon and I was disapointed when they were cranky and not really "getting" why I had put so much emotional energy in to it. There is definitely a "right" time for new things ... for us the magic number seems to be 2-1/2 for the return of fun holidays. (We're still waiting for easy travel "time" to come). We were definitely schedule keepers in our house. Now, at almost 3, we are no longer napping. The transition created some whining and crankines but it’s been worth it. We no longer have to run back to the house in the middle of having a fun time.

The best thing about them being older has to be planning new, fun family traditions to start with our children. They are old enough to remember and appreciate the special new things. Easter was the first one … the twins were 2-1/2 … and they are still talking about finding easter egss with the easter bunny … they did it last year and don’t remember it.

I was so anxious to start some family traditions of our own that I think I pushed it on them too soon and I was disapointed when they were cranky and not really “getting” why I had put so much emotional energy in to it.

There is definitely a “right” time for new things … for us the magic number seems to be 2-1/2 for the return of fun holidays. (We’re still waiting for easy travel “time” to come).

]]> By: amber http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/comment-page-1/#comment-5168 amber Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:32:15 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=2914#comment-5168 I am so glad to know that I am not the only "crazy" mom who bases all decisions in life on how it will affect naptimes and bedtimes. I have yet to find something more important than "respecting the nap schedule". Okay, perhaps a slight exaggeration. But I cannot emotionally handle two screaming, tired, angry, frustrated two year olds who missed their nap because there was some event going on somewhere else--and that event is no longer even fun or interesting because of the total meltdowns my twins are having. Truly, I cannot do it. So I give up on the other events knowing that one day...one day...naps will be a thing of the past and we can play whenever, wherever. Other moms I know (without multiples) just don't get why naps are so crucial to our survival...but it sounds like other readers here know just what I mean. For us, sticking to our napping, eating and bedtime schedule = Happy kids = happy mom = happy kids. I am so glad to know that I am not the only “crazy” mom who bases all decisions in life on how it will affect naptimes and bedtimes. I have yet to find something more important than “respecting the nap schedule”. Okay, perhaps a slight exaggeration. But I cannot emotionally handle two screaming, tired, angry, frustrated two year olds who missed their nap because there was some event going on somewhere else–and that event is no longer even fun or interesting because of the total meltdowns my twins are having. Truly, I cannot do it. So I give up on the other events knowing that one day…one day…naps will be a thing of the past and we can play whenever, wherever. Other moms I know (without multiples) just don’t get why naps are so crucial to our survival…but it sounds like other readers here know just what I mean. For us, sticking to our napping, eating and bedtime schedule = Happy kids = happy mom = happy kids.

]]> By: Rhonda http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/comment-page-1/#comment-5167 Rhonda Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:14:43 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=2914#comment-5167 We always maintained a pretty stick napping routine, but the beauty of a routine is that taking the kids out of the routine once in a while doesn't permanently wreck the routine or the kids. Once every 2-3 months, we arrange a family dinner or holiday event that keeps the girls up past their bedtime. We try to arrange things around their schedules when possible, but don't sweat it if we need to be flexible. The next day might be a little crankier than usual, but it has been worth it each and every time. Last year, the girls were 2.5. We took them to our town's 4th of July carnival for a couple of hours, took them home for a nap, and took them back for the fireworks. They LOVED the fireworks, slept late the next day and were back on track by Monday. This year the girls are 3.5 and no longer napping. We spent all afternoon at the carnival, ate dinner on the town common, and let the girls play with the other kids on nearby blankets while we waited for the fireworks. Again, they LOVED the fireworks. We tucked them into bed 3 hours past bedtime. They slept an hour later than usual and went to bed a little bit early last night. They were definitely crankier than usual, but not any worse than a typical random cranky day after a good night's sleep. Today we are back on track, no worse for our incredible day and we will have some fabulous memories. Don't be afraid to chuck the routine once in a while, your kids just might surprise you. If it doesn't work out, well, there's always next time. We always maintained a pretty stick napping routine, but the beauty of a routine is that taking the kids out of the routine once in a while doesn’t permanently wreck the routine or the kids. Once every 2-3 months, we arrange a family dinner or holiday event that keeps the girls up past their bedtime. We try to arrange things around their schedules when possible, but don’t sweat it if we need to be flexible. The next day might be a little crankier than usual, but it has been worth it each and every time.

Last year, the girls were 2.5. We took them to our town’s 4th of July carnival for a couple of hours, took them home for a nap, and took them back for the fireworks. They LOVED the fireworks, slept late the next day and were back on track by Monday.

This year the girls are 3.5 and no longer napping. We spent all afternoon at the carnival, ate dinner on the town common, and let the girls play with the other kids on nearby blankets while we waited for the fireworks. Again, they LOVED the fireworks. We tucked them into bed 3 hours past bedtime. They slept an hour later than usual and went to bed a little bit early last night. They were definitely crankier than usual, but not any worse than a typical random cranky day after a good night’s sleep. Today we are back on track, no worse for our incredible day and we will have some fabulous memories.

Don’t be afraid to chuck the routine once in a while, your kids just might surprise you. If it doesn’t work out, well, there’s always next time.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/cop-out/comment-page-1/#comment-5166 Rachel Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:52:55 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=2914#comment-5166 well, i'm not one to talk since I recently declared a moratorium on overnight travel with the (14 month old) twins. I've never been much of a 4th of Julier mostly because IT'S SO DAMN HOT HERE. But for 2009, with the twins tucked neatly into bed and my partner home to listen over them and enjoy quiet time of her own, I left the house. At 9:00 p.m. And enjoyed taking some pictures of the firework show, living vicariously through all the others who were crazy enough to be o ut late with their young ones. And knowing I'd be waking up to well rested children. Instead of theirs. :) .-= Rachel´s last blog ..<a href="http://rajencreation.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/in-lieu-of-worship/" rel="nofollow">In Lieu Of Worship</a> =-. well, i’m not one to talk since I recently declared a moratorium on overnight travel with the (14 month old) twins. I’ve never been much of a 4th of Julier mostly because IT’S SO DAMN HOT HERE. But for 2009, with the twins tucked neatly into bed and my partner home to listen over them and enjoy quiet time of her own, I left the house. At 9:00 p.m. And enjoyed taking some pictures of the firework show, living vicariously through all the others who were crazy enough to be o ut late with their young ones. And knowing I’d be waking up to well rested children. Instead of theirs. :)
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..In Lieu Of Worship =-.

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