The Schedule

Mandy of Mommy Musings wrote a great post about her daughter's schedule.  As a mom with horrible ADD, a schedule is my nemesis.  Throw in Ava's sleep disorder and therapy all day long, each day is a struggle.  Looking at others' schedules has made me realize why I am so tired, disorganized and feeling trapped.  I need to get organized!  Here is a glimpse of a typical day for Ava.

5am - 9am - Ava wakes based on her sleep, or lack thereof, from the night before.  She is happy as a lark if she wakes up on her own.  If I have to wake her, she is cranky and the day is not a lot of fun.

7am - 9:30 - Mommy makes breakfast  of fruit, cheese and yogurt drink which Ava eats while she plays with toys and Mommy dresses her.  Sometimes we put the TV on, unless she is overstimulated and does not want tv.  She does not eat in her high chair for this meal - my big mistake.  Daddy and Grandma leave for work.  Grandpa goes into his office.

9:30 - Therapist arrives for therapy session #1

9:30 - 11:30 - therapy while Mommy showers, eats breakfast, checks email, does paperwork, etc.

11:30 - 12:00 Ava gets a break while Mommy makes her lunch and signs paperwork for therapist

12:00 - lunch of mac n cheese, broccoli, baked french fries, turkey or tofu and fruit.  Ava eats in high chair and sometimes will watch tv.

12:30 - 2:00 - Ava has therapy with therapist #2 while Mommy cleans up lunch, eats lunch herself, makes lunch for Grandpa, cleans house.

2:00 - 3:00 Ava gets a break to go outside, play with toys.  Sometimes Mommy takes her to the supermarket or runs an errand.

3:00 - 5:00 Therapist #3 - usually a tough session because Ava is bored and tired.  Mommy prepares Ava dinner and participates in therapy for part of session.  If she has Occupational Therapy, it is an hour of screaming.

5:00 Ava's dinner of mac n cheese or broccoli littles, chicken sausage, green beans, olives, cheese and tortilla.  I can vary the menu a little, but her sensory issues make certain foods more desirable for her.  She is a good eater, luckily.

6:00 Ava plays with toys while Mommy makes dinner for adults.  Grandma comes home.

7:00 - Adults eat dinner when Daddy gets home.  Ava plays with toys and sometimes watches tv: Yo Gabba Gabba, Baby Einstein or Elmo.

7:30 - Ava has bath time - given by Grandma -- while Mommy cleans up.  Mommy is ready to pass out at this point.

8:00 - Ava has a bottle of milk (shouldn't be drinking bottle, oh well) and plays with random adult in household or her toys.  Mommy has to do reading, advocacy work and talk to Daddy during this time.

9:00 - Ava's bedtime, sometimes.  Can be as late as 11:30pm if Ava napped during the day.  Daddy watches tv.  Mommy is usually on the internet to get some writing done.

11:30 - Mommy and Daddy's bedtime.

9:00pm - 2am -Ava usually sleeps

2am - Ava generally wakes up, plays in her crib, sings, laughs and "stims" for several hours.  She tries to get back to sleep but can't because she is filled with manic energy.  When she gets really exhausted she calls for Mommy or Daddy.  We bring her in bed and try to settle her down.  She falls asleep anywhere from 5am - 6am and sleeps until 9am.

However there are times she sleeps through the night, which are GLORIOUS.

There are no play dates.  There is no time for the park or pool.  Sometimes a therapist will take her to the park with me or put her in the baby pool.  We don't socialize in general because there is no time.  I wish Ava could have more fun, but this therapy is so important now.  Hopefully she will play, take classes and have fun later in life.

What does your special needs child's schedule look like?