Routine - WWYD

[dolphin13]

I have been doing respite for a 21 month old girl. She is with me until mid September. When she came her carer told me her routine was:

Gets up 6 - 6.30am
Nap at 1.00pm for 30 minutes
Bed at 7.00pm

Over the last 2 weeks her routine has settled at:

Gets up between 8 - 8.30am (sometimes a bit later)
Nap 12.30 - 2.30 (sometimes longer)
Bed at 7.00pm

Her normal carer works full time and LO is usually in nursery from 8-6 five days a week.

We are very laid back especially in the holidays and none of my other children are early risers (well one is but plays quietly in his room until an adult gets him).
I am worried that I am going to cause problems for her carer when she goes back. But I also feel that LO has settled into a routine that suits her and she obviously does need more sleep than she gets at home/nursery.

Would you stick to the routine she normally has or let her do her own thing while she is with us.

Thats an awful long time for respite, esp for a 21month old, she will have transfered her bond by then. And I am shocked that she is in full time day care, where we are we can't foster littlies if we work as thay need so much attention. Still you are left with the routine probs, I would go with your own routine as life is obv very different for her anyway and she was prob in a nursery routine not home one anyway.
Bless - I really feel for her.

Yes sumum the being in nursery is a whole other thread. It's not right but the carer is distant family and of course that is cheaper and not using a foster carer so dept will go with it.
I really feel for her as she has not had the chance to properly attach to any one carer. I'm sure there will be attachment problems in the future.

I have told the sw of my concerns but pretty sure nothing will change. Poor thing. Sometimes you can just see what the future holds for these children and it's heartbreaking.

well you have to do the best you can in the time you have her. Plenty of hugs and tlc, Just thinking about her has made me all teary (might be lack of sleep as have a newborn!).

I agree with sumum, it is a long time in respite, especially if lo is with family.

Just curious but why is she in respite if she's living with relatives (nosy)

I would go with lo's routine, it's obviously what suits her and thats all that matters IMO

They are distant family LO had never met them before coming into care. They don't speak to LOs BM. It is a long respite, the family had a touring holiday planned before they took her in.

Sticking to the routine she is happy with here. It works better for all of us.