Schedule Obsession
-February 17, 2009-Comments (2)
I like to consider myself to be a laidback person, but those closest to me know I'm not. However, I've shocked myself (and many of those around me) by being a more relaxed mom than I thought I could ever be. I'd say my parenting style is fairly relaxed ... except when it comes to one topic in particular -- schedules.A few months into Jack's life, I become obsessed with his daily schedule. I wanted everything to be exactly the same every single day. I felt he should eat and sleep at the same times every day. It's not that I wanted to set the schedule and control every minute of his life. I was fine with letting him set the schedule. But I couldn't understand it when he didn't fall into a recognizable pattern every day. I just assumed that I must be doing something wrong.
I've read it a million times, but for some reason, it did not sink in -- Every baby is different. Some babies just don't fall into a perfect pattern like others.
After a couple of exhausting months of worrying, I finally gave up. I decided to completely follow Jack's lead on a day-by-day basis. I can't tell you what a difference it made in both Jack and me! After letting go, I felt as if a burden had been lifted off my shoulders. I was able to spend less time worrying and more time enjoying every moment with Jack.
And would you believe, not long after I quit obsessing, Jack fell into a basic pattern. It's not exactly the same every day, but it's close. It would seem that my unnecessary anxiety was affecting his behavior.
What about you? Does your young child follow a schedule every day or is every day different? Are there things you find yourself worrying about unnecessarily?
Comments (2)
Can't tell you how you're doing yet, because I just subscribed! Looks promising though!
Posted on February 17, 2009 12:51 PM
I have 8 month old twin boys and was very obsessed with their schedule in the beginning. It worked well for the first few months, and then things just went crazy because they weren't predictable! Like you, I gave up trying to be a strict scheduler. Now they have a routine that they created and it typically only varies about an hour each day - although they go to bed at the same time each night unless it's a church night. I say let go of the idea that the baby has to have a set schedule. Sometimes it's better for all! I enjoy the fact that my boys are flexible with their schedule so it allows us more freedom on the days we need it - like church days!
Posted on February 17, 2009 2:53 PM