We try as parents to do the best job we can, and we try to establish household routines that will be beneficial to all family members. For three years, the boys faithfully took their daily naps. Nap time was usually a two hour period when, we as parents, were able to work on things that we needed to get done. We looked forward to nap time and the peacefulness it would bring.
As time went on, the boys would take longer naps, and inevitably would want to stay up later in the evening. This schedule doesn't work very well in a busy household where there are many things to get accomplished in the evening. The boys need to be supervised at all times, which meant we could get little else done. So a good friend of mine suggested that we change their daily routine to include "rest" time, so that the boys would be tired earlier in the evening. We though it was a great idea and decided to give it a try.
The boys resisted the earlier bed time at first, but were tired enough that they fell right to sleep. By the third day with the new schedule, the rest of the household was in heaven! We had time to get our work done without interruptions. We had time to help the older kids study and complete their homework. It was a great system all the way around.
After the second week of peacefulness, things started changing. The boys decided that they were no longer going to follow our schedule, because they had a plan of their own! They decided that they would like to keep their nap because they enjoyed staying up in the evening. No matter how busy and involved in activities we would keep them, we would find them napping in various locations throughout the house. We are back to square one with the bedtime schedule. I guess we now know who is truly in charge in this house!!
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