My 2 year old no longer takes an afternoon nap, and then crashes around 5 or 6 pm for about 30 minutes to one hour. I try to wear him out by taking him to the park or letting him play in the backyard, but he won't go to sleep. I don't want it to turn into a power struggle, but I really want him to take a nap wile his 1 year old sister does. Otherwise, I'm a 'prisoner' :) at home alomost everyday from noon to 7pm.
2007-09-17 00:44:24 · 14 answers · asked by azure 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
if he doesn't want to nap then put him in his bed and tell him its time for quiet time and if he gets out of his bed then keep on putting him back ther and reinforce that it is quiet time. He may fuss for a few minutes but it'll work. Just remember he doesn't need to sleep as long as he stays in his bed for quiet time.
2007-09-17 00:53:08 · answer #1 · answered by Wishmaster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't let him nap in the evening, put him to bed earlier, get him up as early as you do (hopefully that is earlier than he is currently getting up,) and do not allow any suger or caffeine in food, drink, or snacks before he naps.
Take 10 minutes to help him relax - read a story, a massage... If these things don't help, you may just have an active child. One of mine crashes mid afternoon for one 'power nap' that may last 10 - 30 minutes. He is also only 2.
If he is one of those that doesn't need the nap, make him accustomed to one hour down time when sister naps. Confine him to the bed with books and quiet toys and don't allow talking.
Good luck.
2007-09-17 07:53:22 · answer #2 · answered by Braveharht 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to set up a schedule. Kids seem to respond best to a schedule. Like you said some outside time and then lunch and then quiet time they seem to respond better if you don't call it a nap. Read a book or two, possibly put on a TV show or movie that he likes and require him to be quiet for a hour. Once that's part of his daily routine then it won't take much time at all to get him to sleep each day...
2007-09-17 07:56:03 · answer #3 · answered by mrskerlin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a matter of getting them to settle down quietly long enough to fall asleep, instead of fighting it off. My daughter is almost five and an early riser and is the same way if she doesn't take a nap in the afternoon. She started balking, but I told her she has to stay in her bed and keep quiet. She can play if she wants, but she must stay in bed. She ends up falling asleep within half an hour almost every afternoon.
2007-09-17 10:09:30 · answer #4 · answered by Clare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my 3 year old doesn't really nap anymore. If he does I have to lay down and cuddle with him for a bit. And there can't be any
noise or anything "exciting" going on or it just won't happen.
I don't try and force him. Don't let him crash until its time to go to bed if he is only sleeping for an hour. Keep him on a strict schedule. I wish I had more advice than that for you.
2007-09-17 07:55:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would get him up at a suiteable time, like around 7 or 8am. after lunch give him a bath. if he watches cartoons before he takes his nap in evening. have him watch cartoons, put all of his toys up and make sure no noises are distracting him. i have a 2 year old too. he usually does that to me with taking a nap at around 5 or 6, and i would have to get him up early in the morning so he would take a nap in the afternoon and goes to bed early.
2007-09-17 10:12:47 · answer #6 · answered by bkross2007 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They children should take a nap through about 6 years old. Maybe you should reevaluate his bedtime and the time he wakes up. Get a good routine going. Wake him up in the morning, and that will help to, for when he starts school. Lots of activity, maybe even a good lunch before nap time. Food makes me sleepy.
2007-09-17 08:00:08 · answer #7 · answered by 3030gal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he is going through what most experienced parents call the terrible twos. Could he possibly getting too much sugar in his fruit drinks? This may hype him up. On the other hand he might be just hyperactive. Ask your pediatrician. My son was the same way and the doctor told me to get him in a preschool to occupy him during the day and most facilities will let him attend provided he is potty trained. Think about it.
2007-09-17 08:15:06 · answer #8 · answered by Debster2525 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if he wont sleep, dont make him, he is 2 now. My son is 2, he pretty much takes a nap everyday. but when he is up, he is all over the place non stop, I have to froce him to eat because he just wants to play all the time.
2007-09-17 07:49:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if hes still in a crib put his butt in it and let him cry if not. take him to his room and make him lay down, remove all toys from the room and anything he could get hurt on like a dresser changing table chair and make him get on his bed. sit in his room for a few minutes and tell him its time to sleep. after a few minutes get up put the baby gate on his door and leave, i had to resort to turning the knob around and locking it from the outside for like five minutes. long enough to start a load of laundry and he was out, he has to know you mean business. once he is asleep unlock the door
2007-09-17 08:02:28 · answer #10 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋