Am I being unreasonable regarding a nap schedule?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you aren't being unreasonable. Nannies want to let kids nap as long and late as possible. Less work for them and they don't care if the child is awake all night because its not when they are on the clock.

You have a really negative outlook on all nannies. Perhaps this is not the right care choice for you? Not all nannies are as you describe, and Im sorry you have experienced some duds. A good nanny actually enjoys the time she spends with children, and has no desire to try to force a child to sleep all day. Im bored out of my mind during naptime, and can't wait until my charge drops down to 1 nap a day!

No I agree with PP.. Most nannies would rather have a longer nap-time on their clock so they can do whatever. Yeah A good nanny might enjoy spending time with kids but you're lying if you're trying to say you'd rather go wake up a sleeping kid then have 'quiet time'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you aren't being unreasonable. Nannies want to let kids nap as long and late as possible. Less work for them and they don't care if the child is awake all night because its not when they are on the clock.

You have a really negative outlook on all nannies. Perhaps this is not the right care choice for you? Not all nannies are as you describe, and Im sorry you have experienced some duds. A good nanny actually enjoys the time she spends with children, and has no desire to try to force a child to sleep all day. Im bored out of my mind during naptime, and can't wait until my charge drops down to 1 nap a day!

No I agree with PP.. Most nannies would rather have a longer nap-time on their clock so they can do whatever. Yeah A good nanny might enjoy spending time with kids but you're lying if you're trying to say you'd rather go wake up a sleeping kid then have 'quiet time'

Another nanny who disagrees with you. Do I enjoy chocolate? Yes. Do I only eat chocolate? No. Do I enjoy down time? Yes. Do I know that supporting nighttime sleep is vital? Yes. If you truly believe that "nannies" (not even "some nannies," just "nannies" in general) are so self-interested and uncaring then I sincerely hope you do not employ one of us. I love my charges, I understand age-appropriate sleep patterns, and I work to support the sleep habits established by parents, even if it cuts into my "quiet time." It's called being a good nanny.


To the OP: how old is your baby?

[Anonymous]

Just stress what time he needs to be up from his last nap. Tell her that he doesn't sleep at night unless he is awake by whatever time. I would write down what you do for naps and leave it on the fridge. Show it to her and say here's what I do. If you can try this it would be great. If it doesn't work out then that's fine too but please have him awake by this time so he sleeps at night.

[Anonymous]

My MB and DB use an iPhone app that allows me to keep track of EVERYTHING - diapers, feedings, activities, mood, naps, etc. It also takes pictures, and tallies total time sleeping, total amount eaten or drunk, etc. They LOVE it. Then, if something goes off-schedule, they know why, and there is no problem. I also call to get advice if the baby is off schedule so that I know exactly what MB wants me to do. That's my job: to do what my charge's parents want me to do.

[Anonymous]

The first year is full of evolutions and changes. You mentioned that DS's night sleep has deteriorated since 6.5 months. Many babies start to drop the 3rd nap around 7-9 months. You may need to adjust his nap schedule anyway. So many other factors affect sleep. He may need to be eating on a different schedule. I've also found how a baby falls asleep is a huge factor.

I've found that loving, kind nannies will develop a true bond with your baby. She will listen to his needs. Having too firm instructions may interfere with hertuning into his needs. You can talk about the night difficulty, and see what she suggests. Or see if she will go by your math for 3 days.


Rest assured, that nap schedule won't last much longer eitherway.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I changed several facts about the story so as to be less identifiable, so the actual age of the actual baby in question won't help. Let's just say that his number of naps was/is age-appropriate.

Props to my nanny, who after 1 or 2 more comments reinforcing the idea that appropriate length and time of naps was important has truly jumped on board with an age-appropriate schedule. It's quite possible that I simply hadn't communicated well before.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for letting us know, OP. Glad things have worked out.

[Anonymous]

OP, you must be a first-time mom.....

To say that being 15 minutes off of "schedule" is a big deal and affects your son's entire night of sleep is ridiculous. If that IS true in some way, then I would say your baby is on TOO strict of a schedule if he cannot easily adjust to a few minutes here, a few minutes there. As one PP said: babies are not robots. If your nanny truly is great, as you said, she will be looking out for your son's best interests and know when to put him down.

IMO, your DC may be going through a phase (which ALL kids do, regardless of age) and you just need to tough it out. I'm sorry you're "one tired mama," but that's what motherhood is about. Be lucky that you get to stay home with your son at all during the week. Besides, with one baby (assuming your a first-time mom, as I mentioned) you really should not be THAT tired. You said he sleeps well during the day, so why aren't you napping with him on your days home? I have 3 kids, work part-time as you do, and employ a nanny. Somehow everything gets done, everyone lives, and I have made it through. You will too.

BTW, I think it's weird that you changed the baby's age....I'm sure THAT wouldn't be the identifying clue to tip off your nanny or whomever you don't want finding out you wrote the post. How can people give you appropriate advice without knowing the age of the child?? (I.e. sleep patterns according to age, etc)