Toddler and Baby Schedule Mash-Up
I don’t know if you’ve been thinking it already, but often I get the comment, “How do you do all this with two small children?” It doesn’t matter what I do–renovate our bathroom or paint my nails–I hear this question often. It seems like kids consume people’s time more than eating and sleeping combined. I’m not saying juggling two kids is always easy. Believe me, there are days I figure I must’ve just gotten lucky. But there are other components as well. Eliminating television as a distraction, teaching your children to pitch in or play by themselves, and having your children on a schedule all help. If you’re wondering how to integrate baby care with a two year old, check out my children’s schedule.
Toddler and Baby Schedule
So I want to point out a couple highlights of this schedule system for my kiddos. Between approximately 1:30 and 3:30 I have two hours to do whatever I please while the kids nap. And this isn’t dishes and laundry, this is when I do my own projects and interests. I do daily tasks during the times my kids are awake. My toddler helps me fold laundry, unload the dishwasher, and do all kinds of chores. My baby is fairly content, but if he’s not, I put him in a sling around my back or front and he clings along as I do the household chores. When my husband is home at night and the only child awake is my baby (between 8:00 and 10:30) this is also a time period I often spend doing my own thing. That’s more than four hours every day I do whatever I want. How many parents who don’t use a schedule can say that?
Relax and watch the sunset
Another highlight is that I am never trying to care for both children at once or taking care of a child within an hour of mealtime. This allows me to make healthy, home cooked meals for my family almost every day.
Often when we are out and about, I get a compliment from someone about how well mannered my kids are. This is because I usually plan outings in the morning (between 9-10:30). When your child is fed and well rested, usually there’s not much to complain about. And if they’re trained to play by themselves, boredom doesn’t bother them much either. It’s not that my kids are little angels (although they have their moments), it’s that they have a schedule which dictates which times of day they’re most likely to be in a good mood to get things done.
But what happens when the schedule is thrown off?
I just try to get it back on track. Sometimes I adjust throughout the whole day if it’s more than an hour off, but usually I can get things back on track. My two year old is very rarely off her schedule because she’s had the same one for a year now. My baby sometimes wakes up late, or dozes during the nap too long, and then I adjust. I also wake baby up (gasp!) on days where the schedule needs to go according to plan, like if we have a doctor apt to get to.
That’s great for a stay at home mom, but what if I work?
I think it’s probably even more crucial to have a schedule if you work. This allows your children to enjoy time with you when it is clearly defined they are not eating or sleeping. It’s at least something to consider on the weekends, or maybe you can ask your daycare to get your kid(s) on a schedule that you can just continue when they come home.
Does your toddler really sleep 12 hours plus a two and a half hour nap?
No. She doesn’t need that much sleep. But does sleep like this facilitate her intellectual and emotional growth? Absolutely. She usually spends up to an hour at the front and back end of that 12 hour stretch just lying in bed. She sings, talks to herself, makes up stories, thinks, and relaxes. It is the quiet time during her day when her imagination runs wild. I believe this is very healthy. Even if my toddler isn’t tired, she lays down in her bed and waits until she is. Think of how many skills this teaches: patience, self-control, consistency, etc, etc. Find bedtime tips and toddler tricks on my site as well!
What about baby’s sleep?
My baby sleeps through the night, and has for more than two months. In fact, the week I started training baby to sleep a long nap in the afternoon that coincided with his sister, was the week he began sleeping all night. I don’t think it’s a coincidence these matched up. Baby’s schedule during the day effects his schedule at night. So, the schedule you see above has been successfully making life with two kids easier for my family for more than two months, and I don’t expect it to change until baby begins solids another month from now.
I really hope this post helps you better understand life with two children and a well designed schedule. If you have any questions, I would love to hear from you!
My sweet children, Lily & Nick
Just stumbled upon this and found it extremely helpful since I have kids the same age, but I’m wondering how it will change once you start solid foods? Thanks!
Hey Maggie! I’m sorry that I didn’t respond until now. I am glad you found my schedule helpful. When I started solids with my children, I would introduce foods at the beginning of their regular feeding times. It wasn’t until they were weaned from breastfeeding that I adjusted their schedule to eat mealtimes alongside family at the table. You might find this article about starting solids that I wrote helpful: https://www.welcome-to-the-woods.com/starting-solids-babys-first-food/
Good luck!
Melissa