Operation 'Nap Well'

These days, it's a daily challenge to adhere strictly to Boyboy's ideal schedule.

Why is it so important? If he naps late, he wakes late and will go to bed late. This means Papa will have less time at night to do his marking, and Mummy will have ZERO time to do anything of her own.

Napping late also means that Boyboy would have missed the 'golden period' of 1-2pm when the construction site is on lunch break. It becomes harder for him to fall into deep sleep with the din coming through our windows.

This leads to disturbed and/or shortened nap, causing him to be tired and cranky the rest of the day. Ends up he can't do any quality learning, and parents can't spend quality time with him cause everything will be about damage-control and nagging/ discipline.

Sample schedule for weekday:
7am Wake
830 Leave for school
9-11 Playgroup
1130 Reach home and bathe
12 Lunch
1pm NAP
3pm Wake and play
5pm Dinner
6pm Go to park downstairs
7pm Wash up for bed
730 Storytime and milk
8pm BEDTIME

It used to be easier, but now with him attending playgroup, the timing is usually screwed up.

Like today, I rushed to pick him up so we can be home in time for lunch. But the abbot was giving out cherries to the kids and Greedy Boy couldn't be pulled away.

So we reached home just before noon and stressed out Mummy fed the boy quickly, at the same time chatting with him to unwind and prepare him for nap. Was rather pleased with myself when we finished lunch on time.

Lo and behold, Popo turns up unannounced at 1pm. Hey Mum, even if you have the keys to my place, don't abuse it like this leh :(((

Boyboy was so happy to see and play with Popo, laughing and squealing and negating all my 'hypnotizing talk' during lunch.

When grandma left at 130pm, the boy was on such a high that he couldn't settle for nap. I cajoled, no use. I sung, no use. Still rolling around in bed and yelling.

So Mummy yelled too. Hollered at the boy to sleep, no use. Walked out and left him in the darkened room, got use... only for 5 secs.

Smacked his backside, laughed somemore! Marvel got a taste of my fury when he came and yoodled at our bedroom door.

So what worked in the end? A rattan cane to the thigh. It drew a huge wail that broke Popo's spell... Immediately Boyboy settled down and with a few soft strokes on his forehead, he was out.

Mummy doesn't like to yell at the boy. What more use physical force on him. But when nothing else works there isn't much choice.

Some parents might choose to let the kid suffer the consequence of his choice ie no nap = super tired later, but to me it's more important that he gets his fifty winks.

Read in a parenting book once that "grandparents interfere with sleep"... Indeed!!! And in the end the grandchild suffers for it. Sigh.