For nanny share, nap routine?

[Anonymous]

I am caring for two babies, both six months. We started sleep training around four months and the girls are finally on a regular schedule. They wake up around 6/6:30 so they are usually asleep soon after I arrive at 8:30.

Several time I arrived to find that DC1 slept until 7:30 and no one woke him up. DC2 still needs to nap around 8:30. Each time the babies ended up asleep at opposite times for the rest of the day. That meant we did not go out the park and I did not have a break. The break thing is only a minor annoyance because I can just do floor time while I eat.

My question is whether it is better to focus on getting them to sleep at the same times each day or ensuring they have enough hours of sleep during the day. When we stick to the schedule they get enough rest and I can plan the rest of our day. The consequence of not having a schedule is that we may not get in other activities if the babies are on opposite sleeping times

[Anonymous]

I have 6 month old twins and that's just the way it goes often (exact same situation accept they usually wake at 5:30am but sometimes go right back to sleep after a bottle).

It's hard for us and for our nanny but waking a sleeping baby isn't a good option either.

Can you do a stroller nap with one and still get out of the house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am caring for two babies, both six months. We started sleep training around four months and the girls are finally on a regular schedule. They wake up around 6/6:30 so they are usually asleep soon after I arrive at 8:30.

Several time I arrived to find that DC1 slept until 7:30 and no one woke him up. DC2 still needs to nap around 8:30. Each time the babies ended up asleep at opposite times for the rest of the day. That meant we did not go out the park and I did not have a break. The break thing is only a minor annoyance because I can just do floor time while I eat.

My question is whether it is better to focus on getting them to sleep at the same times each day or ensuring they have enough hours of sleep during the day. When we stick to the schedule they get enough rest and I can plan the rest of our day. The consequence of not having a schedule is that we may not get in other activities if the babies are on opposite sleeping times

I was (keyword) in a share and had this exact problem. I had both babies on the same schedule. It was wonderful. They were both happy, i was able to take them outside everyday and the schedule made it easier for me to plan activities and clean up at the end of the day.
One of my employers decided to allow her son to sleep in an extra 2 hours and then bring him to the share house.
It threw everything off. i constantly had a baby with me. I couldn't eat lunch, couldn't take them outside because one was always sleeping or about to sleep. I had to feed one while trying to keep the other occupied and safe. I was unable to get anything picked up.
My bosses were pissed because I wasn't getting anything done. They also felt like the kids needed more outside time. I explained why things had changed and my Mb agreed to wake the bBy up at his normal time. Things went back to normal.
Your bosses should respect the schedule you have.

[Anonymous]

I have twins and didn't allow this - I was a stickler for keeping them on the same schedule (except for illness) for everyone's sake.

Assuming this is a share you need both families to be willing to comply with keeping the babies on the same schedule - which might be tough but I agree is the way to go.

If you're overseeing twins then it's a parenting decision with which I disagree but with which you might have to live.

Bummer.

[Anonymous]

I think at this age it really depends on what works for you. If you can deal with no breaks then I would say it's not a problem for them to miss their outing at that age--there is plenty to do in the house that will be fun and interesting. BUT, I would discuss with them that this WILL NOT WORK when the kids hit the toddler phase (10-12 months) because they will really need that extra stimulation of having an outing or playdate or something

[Anonymous]

If the babies are somewhat flexible, I'd be inclined to put one down a little later and the other a little earlier, so that the naps are "close" if they can't be the same.
But honestly, no two kids are the same. Even if they woke up at the same time, there isn't a guarantee they'd sleep the same amount.

[Anonymous]

A lot here depends on your hours and days OP.

I am not a huge fan of waking up sleeping children.

However, you do make a great point about the activities and coordinating the nap times during the day.

Plus, if you are working long hours along with long work weeks, then you NEED that dedicated break each day, even if it is a 45 mins. stretch to re-group.

What are your working hours and how many days per week do you work?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I work 45 hours. Not the longest work day or week, but it can be tiring at times. Yesterday the babies kept waking each other up because they have super thin walls so any crying can be heard in the entire house. They were both cranky all day. At one point I had to put one down for 15 minutes just so I could feed the other, then switch off. They both screamed the entire time. The baby who overslept was difficult to nap, it was like before the sleep training when she hadn't learned any self soothing mechanisms. I should also mention one of the babies is special needs so ordinary tasks can take much longer. I was exhausted.. It was the first time it has been this bad.