On Becoming Flexiblewise

I am not a flexible person. I thrive on structure, routine, and consistency. In fact, I have often stated that if I could have my days planned out for the next 5 years, I would be happy. I don't have to be doing the same things everyday, but just knowing what I would be doing would be a blessing.
So, you can imagine my delight when I first heard of "On Becoming Babywise" when I was pregnant with Andrew. I heard this book promised to have babies on a schedule where they eat, sleep, and poop at the exact same time everyday! I was amazed and promptly snatched up the book; devoured it; and memorized every word. I was learning how to put my yet to be born baby on a feeding schedule, a sleeping schedule, a diaper changing schedule, a crying schedule......Ahh, ignorance is bliss. This baby-thing is going to be a breeze, I naively concluded.

I should have known my "scheduling" was not going to go smoothly when Andrew decided to arrive 7 weeks early. Talk about a kid with his own timing.

After 14 weeks of trying to get Andrew on a schedule while battling prematurity, reflux, gassy-ness, and colic (whatever that is), I had to..... Put Down the Book!!

While I did not throw the book away all together, I did have to compromise on my schedule. Andrew, obviously, is not a "schedule/routine" baby (must get that from his daddy;) ). So, we now have what I refer to as a "loose schedule". We have our eating and naptimes at roughly the same time everyday (within the hour).

Folks, I have to admit, we both put up a strong fight; but, ultimately, I was the one learning the lesson. God blessed me with a baby who has taught me to be Flexible, everyday. Because, everyday is not the same. Some days he naps for an hour, some days two and a half; some days he can play for three hours, some days only two. And, some days we have to just throw all schedules out the door and just BE!!

Andrew and I are both happier and less stressed with a more flexible routine; all that said, I have ordered "Babywise II" and "Toddlerwise". Hopefully, Andrew won't find out.......