My 18 month old daughter sleeps in a toddler bed, which she gets in and out of freely. At nap time we put her down and close the door. Sometimes she goes right to sleep, but she usually just plays until she falls asleep on her own. Her awake time varies between 10 minutes and an hour before she knocks out.
Her room is baby-proof, so there are no safety issues. My concern is how long is too long to leave her in there alone?
I don't want her to spend her whole day playing alone in her room, but at the same time she desperately needs to nap! Any ideas of a guideline for length of time before I should pull her out of there?
2007-02-16 10:25:43 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I have the same problem, I have my routine, we sing, we read and then they don't come out of their rooms for one hour. They play sometimes (the 4-yr-old almost never naps) but the little one (21mos) usually sleeps. This is our quiet time and if they nap great, but we have our quiet time. At night, they are returned to their bed if they leave and they are expected to lay down in bed. It is MY responsibility to teach them how to frame their day, it is THEIR responsibility to respond to their bodies and get enough sleep.
2007-02-16 11:36:18 · answer #1 · answered by Huggles-the-wise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do this with my twins who are 2. The first nap time (doing exactly what you are doing) after getting toddler beds was awake time 1 hour and 15 minutes. That lasted about a week. I learned to put them down when I know that they are tired. Now they will play (they only have books and stuffed animals in their room) or "read" a book for about 10 minutes before they fall asleep.
You do what is right for you. Only you know what works and what doesn't work. Good luck!!!
2007-02-16 19:31:24 · answer #2 · answered by twinmomm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be a great time to read to her! Even if she doesn't want to settle down, reading to her will force her to curl up & snuggle down, relax, and it's a great way to bond and promote reading as well!
And don't forget-you are the MOMMY! When mine goes to nap, I leave the door cracked and check on her frequently until she drops off to sleep. If she gets out of the bed, I make her get back in. You are the Mommy. You make the rules!
Best wishes to you both!
2007-02-16 19:07:43 · answer #3 · answered by kelly24592 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say continue to do as you are doing. Allow her to lay and go to sleep on her own time line and let her up when she is awake.
I disagree with staying with her until she falls asleep because if for some reason you can't after she is used to this, it could cause a problem.
2007-02-16 18:35:18 · answer #4 · answered by darpunzel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you are doing a great job w/ the way you're going. I wish my children, especially the older one's, would play alone in their rooms, instead of being up my behind! lol You are promoting 'me time' for your daughter so that she learns to be independent, and I don't see anything wrong w/ it. I would recommend, if you don't already have one, a baby monitor, so that you can hear her and what she is doing. Otherwise, I think what you are doing sounds reasonable. :-]
2007-02-16 19:12:31 · answer #5 · answered by ksueditz 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try a stair gate across the door.at least you can see her but she can't get out
2007-02-20 15:25:57 · answer #6 · answered by glel29 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you be with her and sing for her until she falls asleep. Mothers lov is precious and it matters
2007-02-16 18:31:12 · answer #7 · answered by prem 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i think its good for kids to play by themslves for awhile.... they'll have a good imagination.....
2007-02-16 23:45:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋