Maintaining nap schedule for kid #2 when you have older child

[dziner]

This is sort of a follow-up to my toddler burn-out question if you happened to see it.

I am very interested in enrolling my 19-month old in preschool this fall rather than waiting a whole year. I finally found someplace that offers just what we need: a class that meets two mornings a week, designed specifically for kids born b/w Sept and Dec. Perfect, right? Well, it's about 20-25 minutes from my house, and we are expecting baby #2 in November. I am a big Weissbluth nap schedule advocate and am wondering how this will pan out for the new baby with an older sibling.

DD used to nap around 8:30 or 9. If we do this class, DS and I wouldn't get home till 9:30 two mornings a week (and then would hop back in the car by 11:15). Is it feasible to think he could nap later those days, or learn to transition from car to crib? Or would I be making a mistake dragging him around at that time? I'm already figuring that third nap will be an on-the-go nap so that DD isn't stuck in the house alllll day living on the baby's schedule. Any advice from parents of two kids (who do like a schedule and don't think I'm totally nuts) would be appreciated!

[dal]

Hi there!!! I finally joined CC. Couldn't resist. :)

Before Kailey was born I was thinking about enrolling Alyssa into preschool in September so she would be starting in a couple of months. In the end I decided not to do it for a few reasons. First, Alyssa is very very shy. She opens up very quickly but she is very hestitant at first in any group activity, even with me there. I know that she would resist preschool, even if only the first few times and I didn't feel comfortable with it. Especially since she's only two. But my second reason for not doing it was exactly your concern - baby #2's nap schedule.

I got so nervous about when the baby would nap and if I would have to wake the baby up or if the baby would fall asleep in the car and what I would do and so on.

Here is how it worked out - I am happy I did not do it b/c Kailey naps early. When she was taking 3 naps a day, her first nap was around 7 I think. I did what you are going to do and had her take the 3rd nap out in the stroller b/c I needed to get out with Alyssa. Now that she only takes 2 naps, the first nap is around 8am and her 2nd nap is at 1pm. She only naps in her crib. Alyssa and Kailey both nap at 1pm. When Kailey naps at 8am, Alyssa and I play together and get ourselves dressed and stuff so that we're ready to go out as soon as Kailey wakes up.

Hope a glimpse into our schedule helps you out a bit.

[dziner]

Definitely, thanks, dal! I am getting a little more info on the class but am leaning against it right now b/c of the distance from our house...I am trying to make things easier on myself for baby #2 and this might make things harder. I am imagining trying to get us all dressed and out by 8:45am and then doing the back and forth twice before lunchtime. Maybe just getting a sitter a couple days a week would be a better bet. Also, Ava has severe separation anxiety and I know I would be very worried about her in school without a familiar face.

[dal]

I think a babysitter a couple of times a week is a great idea! And maybe if you had her come a few times before the baby is born, Ava would get used to her and it will be easier once baby #2 arrives.

I also tried to find ways to make things easier for me and that is why I thought of enrolling Alyssa in school at 2 years old instead of 3 as I had originally planned. But like you, I found that the logistics were making it more stressful than helping me out so I did away with that idea.