Before we had children I always preached on how important it was (for both parents and kids) to be on a schedule.

Well, now that DS is here and is almost 19 months, we don't seem to follow any schedule at all! I'm very fortunate to be a SAHM, so besides swimming lessons and playgroup, I don't have to be anywhere at a specific time.

So, we don't have scheduled bottles, naps, meals or bedtime. We generally hit the around the same time of day give or take 45 min - 1 hour. If DS isn't hungry then I don't force him to eat....and the same goes with bedtime.....I know when he is tired and when not.

Anyone else in the same boat, or any suggestions as whether this is going to be a problem down the line? I've been thinking of trying to enforce a schedule but not sure where to start.

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I let me daughter nap when she's tired, eat when she's hungry, play the rest of the time. We don't really have a schedule either, a bit of a routine I guess. She is in bed most nights by 8 though.

i haven't really worried about it yet. It sounds like you have enough of a routine, and as long as your son is happy it's probably fine.

No schedules here either. I do have to feed Tommy on a schedule, but nap times and everything else is pretty flexible.

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My kids aren't really toddlers anymore but I've never been able to keep a schedule. My mind just cannot wrap itself around that concept. I wish I could and I try but it never keeps long.

We do have a schedule, but it was basically started by them when they were babies, I noticed them being hungry at about the same time and tired as the same time each day as well. So I followed their lead. As they began getting older I tweaked it for everyones sanity. I do agree it is easier to get them used to the inevitable schedule of school and life if you start young. AS well as the toddler stages go easier when they know what to expect in there day and when.

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I've been starting with bedtime and I now spend 1/2 hr reading and then to bed at the same time. He finally likes books so this is working well. It's been three nights and so far so good.
Eating is basically the same time, but often takes too long. I've been putting him in his chair and after 1/2 hour we're done. I don't want to rush him but don't want him to think it's playtime either!

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Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
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We don't go by a schedule here. We eat when were hungry, sleep when we are tired, and play when we want to have fun! Since I am a SAHM I can be flexible, and I LOVE that! We are a bit of night owls. Some people don't get it, but it works for us! All that matters is that you have something that works with you and your family!!!

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My boys have made and follow their own schedule. It's nice for me!

we have a fairly consistant schedule it is broken at time for appt's outing ect but majority of weekdays we eat at 7am,11am and 5pm snacks are scheduled at 9:30 and 2:30-3pm. bed time is up stairs at 7:30 no more talking by 8pm. our kids behave better we don't have any meltdown about bed time snacks anything because they know when these times are. also i only have one taking a nap so she takes her nap about 8:30am(she is usually up 5:45 naturally) then later at 1pm so in those times younger ds not in preschool or school yet knows morning nap for sister means preschool activities for him and afternoon nap means board and card games and mom playing what ever he wants. it just works for us and my son transitioned to the structured enviroment of school well.

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Our routine is based upon their needs. I keep them on a schedule but it adjusts and changes as they grow. Sometimes they are not hungry or take a nap a little later.

My almost 2 year old likes to keep things the same. She is very reluctant to change. After she has her milk at night, she will hop down, go to the bathroom to brush teeth, then she'll go back to her room and get books out. She points to the bed for me to sit down and says 'Mommy read book'. After I read 2 books she will look for my husband who is helping with my oldest when he is home. He will read her a book, then she will ask to go bed with her bear. She will most certainly drive her husband nuts some day As do I.

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