Napping

Now my mom says that I am a slave to my children's schedule but I disagree. I believe that the kids are on  the schedule I have set for them based on their age, number of naps and how their behaviour is affected.

Currently my youngest needs 2 naps a day and luckily he is somewhat adaptible.  He has a certain rhythm that is natural for him but at least a couple days a week I am not able to have him in bed at the time he needs because of another childs activity and he goes down an hour later and there are days I have to wake him up so we can meet up with friends for a playdate or go to the gym.  Obviously my older 2 don't have morning naps but we do hang around the house while the baby naps.  On the otherhand my older son needs one nap in the afternoon and my daughter needs quiet time and lets be honest so do I, so we all rest or sleep during this time.  The days we go out, I make a point to have us all home by nap/rest time

I think of it as our schedule not their schedule.  A little give and take to keep everyone healthy and happy.  I find it amazing the difference in their behaviour based on their sleep or lack of it.  There are definately people in my life that would prefer us to be available more hours or different hours of the day but OUR schedule does not afford us that but those same people like the fact that my children are well behaved.  That comes with some sacrifices and really it won't always be that way will it?