How important is routine?

Routines are vital. I've been following the Baby Whisperer since Sam was 6 weeks old and he's in a wonderful nighttime routine(he's 16 months now). Always in bed for 7pm, fast asleep by 7.10 for at least 12 hours. We went to see family in Australia, we came out of the routine in the first week, he was a nightmare. Not sleeping, eating, ratty, naughty. In the 2nd week I got him back into his routine and he was his usual delightful self.
Of course everyone thinks I'm ridiculous for sticking to it but hey, it works for us.
During the day we do whatever but he always has a nap after lunch for at least 2 hours.

ofcourse youre right hun- us girls always are :) have same argument with my daughters dad who dont see the harm in disrupting lilys bedtime routine for the hell of it "sure she'd love to stay up late tonight kids love that dont they?" yeah love but give her chance to beg for to stay up when shes older, shes 2 now and needs some decent shut eye! glad youve got it sorted- little ones can be so cranky and unsettled when you change this stuff x x

I do agree that us women are always right!!

This came about after an argument you see. I am having an old friend visit on Saturday night an we will be having a drink. I wanted to get a babysitter but he wanted to take our daughter to his parents and be back by about 10, when I have eventually got Mollie into a decent bedtime routine (cuddle, feed, and bed by half seven, eight at the latest) and didn't seem to understand why I didn't want him to!

Anyway the argument was resolved, we'll be getting a babysitter!

Thanks for your advice everyone, and for letting me know I'm right- again!
x

i think you should show your O/H this e mail page so he can see how many woman are on your side, or maybe show him a book on routine. it is the most important thing in a childs life. even when they get bigger. with out it there would be a lot of upset kids.and parents too. later on he will see that, and appreciate it too. i have a 6 year old and i stick to a very strict routine, 7 o lock is bed time and so on and she is a happier child knowing that there is a path to go on . so all in all is the best thing and you are right my dear. :) :) :)

i like having a routine i think it helps and im sure my daughters always preferred it that way- shes a creature of habot and gets upset if things arent as she thinks they should be. its not rigid and set in stone but her bedtime is always the same maybe half hour later at the weekend coz me and her dont have to get up early for work/nursery. i some people who let their kids stay up till all hours but that would drive me insane- need some me time especially after a long day x x

Routines are generally advised especially at night so that in the future you dont have problems with getting baby to sleep but its totally up to the parents. If one of you doesnt keep to it then it isnt really a routine is it? :) x

iv never had a day time routine but iv always had a one myn lil boy goes to bed at 8 he loves his bed iv just moved him to a singal bed and he loves it :D but i an very stricted when it comes to sleep time every body needs there sleep and hes lernt that now :D lol

ive only ever had a nighttime routine and that works for us hes a lovely well behaved boy & eats well ive never really needed a daytime routine because i wouldnt be able to stick to it were always to busy! my night time routine has always been brilliant he goes to bed at 7 with no fuss or attitude & gennerally sleeps thru unless hes had a bad dream but i think a bedtime routine is a must just so you get time to yourself