Night Float

[cylverdust]

Uuuugghhh Hubby has started a four day stretch of night float, my first experience with it. Oh how I hate it. Poor guy got kicked in the teeth all night, slept all day. We got to say hi sweetie/Dada. He ate, then had to get ready and go back. I feel like I didn't even see him.

I will not even mention how it was, handling a bedtime routine with a 2 year old and a newborn with just mommy. uuuugghhhh

[L.Jane]

*hugs* I hope it goes quickly for you!

[diggitydot]

Hang in there. Nights suck.

[ladymoreta]

I'm so sorry! I hate night float!!! DH's first time on it was when DS was just a few weeks old. I can't imagine that with a toddler! *shudder*

[alison]

I set out all of dd's nighttime stuff during one of her daytime naps. That includes laying out a diaper, her towel, and getting a bottle ready. You could even do a few days' worth of laying your toddler's stuff out... I don't know how I'd manage--I betcha Cheri would have some good tips. Maybe she'll poke in?!?!

Good luck!

[Michele]

I don't have experience w night float....but this month Russ isn't usually home for bedtime....so I have been doing the routine myself. One thing that helps is we actually have a routine. When it was just the boys, I didn't do much of a routine...it's something Ive had to teach myself....and it didn't sink in so well until I had my moms help for large stretches of time. She's uber routine oriented.

When there was no routine, it was harder to get them to sleep...it's like they need the cues to wind their bodies down enough. And for my boys, the sleep routine starts at 5:30pm...if I want them in bed at 7 or 7:30. They don't get a bath every night....it's something I'm working on, but I just don't have the energy every night. Adding the bath in takes a lot for me...and it means leaving P to cry and fuss if I'm in the middle of it. We do a nightly TV show instead of a bedtime story. I've tried doing the story, but they won't sit still long enough....not even when I try to read to them during the day.

And some nights before we had a routine, we all just fell asleep sitting/laying on the couch at 10pm.

Good luck! I agree with all that has been said. Especially the routine and laying things out. We go as far as laying our clothes out for the next day. It just seems to make things go smoother. I am not a huge tv person, however when my hubby was in AZ for his first year and I was at home with a 6,20 month old, and newborn I let my kids watch a show just so I could get dinner picked up and the baby to eat. It worked wonders. Sometimes, I even had time for a quick shower. Also something I would suggest is to make life easy for yourself. My boys had some easy meals nothing too fancy.( they don't all they want is food!) Well, I hope it goes well for you. I am not looking forward to our time in the next few months.

[cylverdust]

Thanks guys, it helps to post here and have some understanding. yanno

Evening routines on my own with the kids are not much fun. They usually go to bed earlier on those days!

Hang in there (hugs). Nights are not fun for anyone! Hope it flies by!

[v-girl]

It sucks rocks and is horrible for everyone. Just keep looking forward to when you can have your family back together (yes, night float is a lot like having your family split apart). I'm sorry.

Ah I can imagine night float sucks, especially when you are used to them being around all the time for the evening production!
I am a single momma so I do the night time alone, and I second what everyone else says. Super-duper routine... it's hard but you will get the hang of it!!
I hope the night float flies by!

[diggitydot]

I'm apparently too accustomed to that giant lump next to me stealing my pillows and blankets every damn night. I can't sleep when he's gone.

I have a love/hate relationship with moonlighting for just this reason. The money rocks (and I'm the one who pays the bills), but I can never get to sleep when he's gone overnight. His 3-month stint of away rotations during med school sucked hard. Suppose I shouldn't bitch about q3 or q4 call.

[v-girl]

I'm apparently too accustomed to that giant lump next to me stealing my pillows and blankets every damn night. I can't sleep when he's gone.

This is why I have my 3 year old sleep with me when DH is gone. I don't sleep well, but it's better than being by myself.

[DCJenn]

Not me- I have to say the best part about this year is that I get the bed to myself (with both cats and one of the dogs- but they don't elbow me in the head, either)

J.