hey just a little question to see if im the only one.
my inlaws come over every once in a while (which is great) but they always come by in the evening. the bad thing about this is that they really overstimulate the baby by passing him back and forth and playing with a million things in his face. unfortunately the baby gets really tired and falls asleep at about 6pm-730pm (there's no keeping him awake). we start our bedtime routine at 8pm so he's in bed by 9pm. but when he falls asleep at 6 he's partially awake at bedtime (eventually goes to sleep) but doesn't give us as long of a stretch before his first wake up to be fed again. then the whole next day im stuck with trying to get him back into his regular schedule which can be quite time consuming and irritating.
i have no personal issues with the in-laws and i totally want them involved in the baby's life (especially since my parents can't be too involved due to living overseas), but i really don't want them to do this cause it reverses all the hard work i put in during the week to keep him in his routine. how do i tell them this?? i would prefer to have my partner do it but anytime i bring things like this up he thinks i'm trying to say i don't want his parents around (which is not the case at all). i also don't want his parents to think i don't want them to play with the baby ... just not so much before bedtime. anyone else had an issue with this?? maybe i'm on the only one and i'm being ridiculous, but i hate having to try to get him back into his regular day cause of something that happened the night before.
any advice??

I have the same issue - except it's my hubby that turns our routines upside down. Sometimes it takes days to get back into the swing of things so I completely understand what you're saying.
Just tell them! If they are normal, reasonable people, they'll understand and make more convenient and thoughtful arrangements with you. Let them know that it's happened enough times now that you are sure that it's the stimulation from their visits that are doing it and would they be able to come earlier in the day?
If you don't say something now, it'll niggle at you and become a bigger problem.

As annoying as this is, babies do need to learn to adjust to these situations. But I know what you're saying!

Maybe invite them over for lunch on the weekend or something, that way they would hopefully go home earlier and be less inclined to drop by on other evenings.

Hi
I have had the same problem with my DHs parents. They are really lovely but they always come around at night time and over stimulate the children (even my 3yr old) just before bed time.
DH didn't want to say anything because he didn't see a problem if it was just once or twice a week, I kindly pointed out to him that he wasn't the one who spent the next day with cranky children who were out of routine.

My advice is explain your partner how you are feeling and get him to talk to them, he needs to understand that its not you don't want them around but its whats best for the baby. Thats what we did and they understood especially my mother in law. The only unfortunate bit was we waited until DS2 had come along and had spent 2yrs with it happening. Nowadays they always come earlier and leave before we start bedtime routine or they come in the weekends during the day smile its made for a very happy outcome for us.

I understand where your coming from, it can be frustrating. As nice as a routine is, you don't want your life to revolve around them. Does it really matter if bubs doesn't go to bed at the same time every night? If he is happy and still sleeps, then what are the consequences really? They are babies for a really short time, I would hate for family not to be able to interact with bubs, or for us to not take them out, so we don't interrupt the routine. If they are happy with it, then it can be very advantageous! Kids are very flexible. wink Just let yourself go with the flow. smile