How to convince MB that her child's schedule should be sacrosanct?

[Anonymous]

As an MB, I would say that the schedule the nanny keeps our DD (and the DD of the family we share with) during the week doesn't work for us on the weekend. That's the way it is. I happily trade off DD being a bit extra tired on Mondays for the SQ. (For us, DD isn't particular cranky, she just generally sleeps an extra hour at each nap on Monday.)

I will say that DD also naps better for the nanny than she does for us. I think because her time with us is more limited, she fights naps harder. (We asked nanny to view a few naptimes through our mobile app to confirm DD was behaving differently; we aren't against some cry it out, but wanted to make sure the sob sessions we get on weekends weren't happening every day... Not worth it to us. They weren't.) So don't assume your MB isn't trying... but, then, she might not be since we aren't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MB here, who is utterly with you on the importance of schedules OP. I have twins and maintaining a schedule was the only way I survived, and it clearly worked for the kids also.

When she makes a comment about his behavior can you say something like "Well, you know I'm pretty strict about his schedule and even if he doesn't like I think it sets him up for more success in managing his behavior. And it makes my life and job easier and happier!"

Can you find a good sleep chart you can share w/ her? I have one that was my bible, that very clearly lays out appropriate nap times and length at various ages, etc... It was a fantastic toolm and it came from "experts" so it was useful to show certain other key adults in their lives that it wasn't just me nagging about the schedule.

If she's open to this kind of conversation then hopefully she would listen to your advice. If she's not, then you have a bigger challenge.

If you decide you're fed up could you come help me figure out how to survive what I'm hoping is normal 3 1/2-4 yr old behaviors around tantrums, bedtime struggles, nightmares, etc...? My previously fantastic sleepers are suddenly exhibiting all kinds of problematic bedtime stuff. Argh!!

Agree. Tired children are often ill-behaved children. So unnecessary really.