Reply to s/o- thanksgiving dinner at bedtime

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[quote=Anonymous]It is interesting that you are reproving your MIL for being too rigid with her timing but yet you are doing the same thing, OP.  As a mother of 5, I certainly "get" the need for structure and routine, including bedtimes.  But I think you are missing two BIG opportunities here.

The first opportunity is to teach your son that family is important and sometimes that means compromising on your own schedule/routine.  This is especially significant when showing your child how to show respect for his/your elders.

The second and more important opportunity is how to teach your child some flexibility.  It is a great skill to have, to be flexible, and it is a hard skill to learn when children get older.  Like learning a primary language, this is one that is best taught young.  Children should learn how to adapt and how to self-soothe.  You can help your child learn that skill by exercising a little flexibility with this dinner schedule.  Perhaps you could put your child down for his afternoon nap a little later and tire him out a lot before so that he sleeps later, wakes later and is able to stay awake later.  Then after dinner at his grandmas, change him into his jammies so he can fall asleep in the car home.

One final thought, OP.  Your child has a limited amount of time with his grandparent, OP, do you really want to teach him that minor things in life like this are worthy of drawing lines in the sand?  It sounds like you are stomping your feet in your message to your MIL.  It sounds equally like she has a message for you.  Are you hearing it?  Remember that this is a woman who loves your husband and loves your son and who probably also loves you.  Be gracious.  She won't be here forever and when she is gone do you really want to look back on your behavior to reflect on how you "showed her" what's what?[/quote]

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