Getting Out with 4 Yo and 6 Mo

Maybe try taking something along from the crib that makes baby comfortable... a stuffed animal or a silky blanket. I recently encouraged my 9 month old daughter to sleep with some silk from a slip... she falls asleep easily now with it. Also try telling your son how much of an awesome big brother he is for helping you out with his baby sister and spending so much time at home. Does he have any little friends that could come over for a play date? Thats all Ive got.... Good luck!

I always say that babies are portable. It's good for them to get out and have their environment varied. I took mine wherever we went, starting at 1 week old. They're all great adults! Of course, I breastfed so that made it a lot easier, but whatever... Babies don't need the strict routine some people thing, in fact it isn't really such a good idea.

My daughter is exactly this way. If we aren't home for nap time, she won't nap at all. She is 2 1./2 and my next one is due in the next few weeks. I will say her napping only in the bed at the beginning was tough, as i felt like a slave to her schedule, BUT it has turned out to be a GREAT thing. I konw that I have the same downtime every day. i can plan on things being routine, and so can she. Friends and family all know that she sleeps in bed, so they understand when we have to leave some place, or can't do something, due to the timing.

I have my stepson for the summer, and he is 8 and LOVES to be outside. So during nap time, I take him outside and he can play with his toys with no problem. he loves his sister, but he likes to be able to do his own thing without having to constantly help her.

One thing i would caution about though with constantly having to entertain your son, is that over time it will get worse. You should encourage him to use his imagination and play with toys on his own. I have a friend who ALWAYS entertains her kids, and never let them to do anything on their own, becasue they were the same way, would be bored and sassy. Well they are now all in school, and having issues with school. AND when we go over there to visit, we have to wait until the kids are in bed, which can't happen since my daughter goes to bed then too, otherwise, the kids won't leave us alone.

I know they have books out there that have TONS of ideas for activities. I would go and check them out at the library. or look at some homeschool books for preschool/kindergarten age, and see the activities they tell the teachers about. then you can plan different things to do while sister is sleeping.

I understand.. exept it was my first child that only slept in her crib.. so I was a slave to her nap schedule ..

Can you hire a sitter once a week to watch the baby sleep and take your son someplace.. can he go to some preschool program one or two mornings a week..

your younger one should be gettting to take 2 naps a day pretty sooon.. then you should have a good 2 hour block to get out of the house before she starts fussing..

Its a tuff one for sure. Are you able 'to get out' without leaving home? Last year my girls and I had a 'staycation' that I read about in a magazine. We did it over Spring Break; we basically acted like we were on vacation without really leaving home. So, since it is summer - set up a water park in the backyard for baby's nap time, get a table cloth and playdough to play outside, pack a picnic for lunch. Also, are you able to take him places with you after your hubby gets home - make a game out of regular errands. Or get a sitter for a day once a week or a family member to stay with the little one. It is definatly a ruff balance for sure. Best of luck

I'm not sure what suggestions you already got. I'm assuming your baby is on a three naps a day schedule for that age range. If she has set nap times, or at least a range of time that you can work with, try to get out of the house for short stints of 45 minutes or so.

You could run shopping errands that you can make fun (Target comes to mind for the $1 toy area when you first enter; Grocery store that has the "car" carts that the toddler can drive while the baby is strapped into the front of the cart). You could also hit up the Library's weekly activity for your 4-year-old's age group (usually puppet shows, story times, etc.). Do you have a park nearby that you could let your 4-year-old play at safely and watch with the baby? If the mall is close and has an indoor playground or a pet store, this is always a good option for days that you can't play outside. In my area there are also some play cafes where kids can climb indoor playgrounds while the parents can sip a coffee or such. If you don't want to pay for that, you could also hit up a MacDonald's that has an indoor playground area.

I don't know if any of those are appropriate for your situation, but they have helped me get my 2 year old out of the house and entertained while toting along her baby sister and staying on our nap schedule.

Best of luck to you!

I would suggest to keep trying small trips with both children so that your daughter will sleep in other places than her crib. Do you have stuffed animal or blanket that is comforting to her? If so bring that with you and let her have it in her car seat/carrier.

She will sleep in other places than her crib. You just need to get her to do it, by repeatedly trying. Not easy but once she (and you) accomplish it life will be easier.

Wishing you the best.

Is there anything you could get him in like a sport or a play group, or pre school, something a couple times a week just for a change of scenery. You could drop him off and pick him up again, or set up a play group at your house once a week? I have a 3 year old and a 4 month old. We have always just gone and done stuff since the baby was born so she is used to napping where ever. We arent on the go all the time, but they go to daycare and once a week i get togeather with a friend so our kids can play for a couple hours after work, and on the weekends we try to get out and do 1 fun thing anyways. He will be starting soccer in a couple months and the baby will go with to that also. Maybe right when the baby wakes up you could take the kids to the park even for an hour or so to do something different. Other wise just spend time outside. It will get easier. The baby is only getting bigger and in another 6 months she will be on a napping scheduale and it will be a lot easier to plan things.

I have soon to be 3 year old and 6 month old boys. I asked their pediatrician when I should expect the longer naps, because I was hoping they would both nap in the afternoon when I could catch up on housework. He told me some kids only catnap and I've had a couple of my mom friends tell me that's how their child was. We are working on trying to get our son in the crib more instead of napping where he is. Anyway, I would make the best of your situation. Is there a park near by with little travel time? You could ask one of your friends to meet you there? Or have friends over for your son? That has really helped me to get my older so some good play time and allow me to work on getting my younger son in his crib more.