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Just Said Yes May 2022

Planning wedding around toddler schedule?

Yvonne, on January 20, 2021 at 9:56 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 9

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Hi! So I'm getting married 5/22/22 and my son will be 19 months old. I want him to be a part of the wedding somehow and was hoping to have him come down the aisle with my daughter who will be 7. I have to email the venue back with my start time soon and I know I want a daytime early afternoon wedding like 2pm. So I started to look into what his nap schedule might be like around that age. It looks like he should be down to 1 nap by then, waking up 4-5 hours before bedtime. So if he goes to bed at 7 he should be waking up around 2. However I know from experience every kid is different so there's no way to really know.

If we end up waking him up mid nap to participate in the wedding, then maybe send him back with the sitter to relax and try to get another cat nap in after an hour or so do you think that would work? I don't want to spend the day with him being overtired and cranky and not be able to be fully present to deal with it. Any advice?

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9 Comments

Latest activity by Yvonne, on January 20, 2021 at 3:29 PM

Master January 2022
SLY · on January 20, 2021 at 10:08 AM
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I personally wouldn't schedule my wedding around a child's sleep schedule, BUT I also don't have kids so it's easy for me to say that right now.
I will say, I've been to a lot of weddings where small children were in it (1-3 years old), and they almost always cried during the whole ceremony. Probably for the exact reason you're wanting to figure his schedule out, nap time crankiness.
That being said, your plan sounds like it's a good one! Again, I'm not a mother, so I have no experience about nap times and sleep schedules lol. I would just make sure you have a sitter on standby during the ceremony in case he does start to cry. That way they can slip away to calm him down for you.
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Just Said Yes May 2022
Yvonne · on January 20, 2021 at 10:19 AM
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Thanks, we are definitely planning to hire someone so grandparents don't have to miss anything. Sleep is Soo important for kids even missing 30 mins of a nap can turn them into little terrors! I'm traumatized from my daughter lol so I just want to go the least disruptive route for him.
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Master January 2022
SLY · on January 20, 2021 at 10:23 AM
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You're welcome, sorry I can't be much more help! I think your plan is good though!
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Super February 2021
Kerin · on January 20, 2021 at 10:28 AM
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Hello Mother of 2, soon to have 4 and 2 grandsons LOL
He may not go down at normal time just because he's exhilarated by everything going on around him. That said - having a sitter ready to jump in when he starts to fuss will save your frustrations
I think your plan is solid, but at the end of the day, these are the things we can't control, so having someone ready to help out will be a huge relief.
Best wishes, I'm sure it will be fine!
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VIP October 2022
Samantha · on January 20, 2021 at 12:37 PM
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I think having someone that is 100% there to tend to him will be a better bet than scheduling around naps. Plus at 19 months he could be a no napper or big napper, you just never know. Toddlers are a crap shoot!
For the minder, if it can be someone that he is comfortable with but not someone who will get distracted at the wedding - his regular babysitter, maybe? That way he can be there for the parts he needs to he but if he get’s over tired, they can take him home or to an quieter place and won’t be bummed out by missing the wedding.
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Just Said Yes May 2022
Yvonne · on January 20, 2021 at 1:44 PM
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I know it's totally up in the air! I wanted an early wedding anyway though, I am just not a night time person. Hopefully we'll have someone we're comfortable with by then so they can take him home if he needs a break and he'll be comfortable. Thanks!
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VIP October 2022
Samantha · on January 20, 2021 at 1:46 PM
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I put toddlers in the same category of frenemies. You just never know when they will decide to ruin your day!
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Just Said Yes May 2022
Yvonne · on January 20, 2021 at 1:46 PM
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Also true! It's not something I can take predict. Looks like help is the way to go
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