i have twins and they just turned 3. They hate taking naps now and it takes them so long to fall asleep if they do take a nap. When did you stop putting your kids down for a nap?
2006-08-19 08:44:21 · 9 answers · asked by brownimomy 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
they've started going to bed at a later time but now they also wake up later in the morning.
2006-08-19 08:53:29 · update #1
My son is 2 1/2 and several months ago started not falling asleep at nap time like he normally did. I pushed it for a long time; sometimes making hims lay there for up to 3 hours! I eventually gave up.
My mom said that around 2 1/2 or 3 is when they stop the scheduled nap. Now I read him. If he seems fine, I don't put him down. If he seems cranky, tired, etc, I'll make him lie down. If he hasn't fallen asleep after an hour and seems happier, I'll let him up. He'll actually go into his room on his own and lay down and shut the door for a little while and then come out saying "I feel better, Mom".
I say tell them it's quiet time instead of nap time. Tell them they don't have to sleep, but they have to stay in their beds until you come back. They can read, or play with one toy, but they have to stay in bed. That worked with my son in getting him to sleep! Once the pressure of "sleeping" was lifted, he'd drift off quite often. Good luck!
2006-08-19 17:03:19 · answer #1 · answered by Margie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son was 2 when he stopped napping and that was my fault. I found that if he napped he wouldn't got to bed at night until midnight or later. I cut the naps out in hopes he would go to bed earlier. It worked. Now he naps if he wants to. Most of the time he is up and going from early morning till about 9 other times he will sleep about 45 minutes in the afternoon. It all depends on what goes on around the house as to whether or not he naps.
2006-08-19 10:00:17 · answer #2 · answered by couriousk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my twins are 2 1/2 and every now and then they go with out a nap. when that happens they go to bed about 45 minutes to an hour earlier at night.
on days when they don't want to nap they go to their room and I put them in their beds and leave them with books.... they choose not to fall asleep and can sometimes be heard trying to read books or singing. they aren't as refreshed as they are after a nap but it isn't as bad as a day full of activity
you may want to consider instituting a quiet time rule that takes the place of a nap.
pretend to give in to him.
have to have some quiet time alone in his room. tell them they have to lay down, they can read books or just rest but that they must stay in his/her room (you set the amount of time) perhaps you could set a timer and tell them you will come and get them when it goes off.
you may find some days they will play (maybe even energetically) other days they may accidentally fall asleep.
even a small amount of down time is important for them. they can use that time to expand his/her imagination (very good) as long as you don't let them take lots of toys with them... i'd make a rule of books only.
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2006-08-19 09:13:11 · answer #3 · answered by artful dodger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i worked at a daycare for awhile and we put children down from newborns to six because in school they will have to take a 30 to 1hour nap. They normally have a set time like from one to three for the three and younger but normally a good hour is needed for them because they are still growing. My little boy just turned two and he hates naps but if he dont take one he is awful he has a fit for it later he is cranky and very upset so every day from one to at least two we lay down to go to sleep it helps now that i have him on a pattern.
2006-08-19 09:27:32 · answer #4 · answered by Ashley W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the child--or children in your case. Try to tire them out before their usual nap time. You could also try a later bedtime or earlier rising. You might want to check and see if in your school disitrict it is required for them to take a nap so when they go to school they wont be out of the loop or hard for the teacher.
2006-08-19 08:50:36 · answer #5 · answered by someone_unperfect 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I remember in Kindergarden we still had one normal nap. So I'm not fully sure but my daughter who's almost 3 is still taking one nap a day.
2006-08-19 13:37:59 · answer #6 · answered by Missy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't really stop, she just kind of stopped.
She's almost 3, and she stopped about six months ago. Occasionally, if she has a really long day, she MIGHT fall asleep, but it's not a scheduled thing.
She just doesn't need it anymore. She goes to sleep at 8 and wakes up at 7am.
2006-08-19 08:58:40 · answer #7 · answered by AnswerMom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nap with them maybe. Make it fun by using a little tent to pretend they are camping.
2006-08-19 08:53:36 · answer #8 · answered by The Exotic Seamstress 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when they start kindergarten. my son is three and still needs down time. he doesnt sleep but he does better with rest every afternoon.
2006-08-19 08:50:38 · answer #9 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋