What would you do with your 4 & 11/12ths year old who just doesn't sleep at naptime anymore?
I've been getting upset with him lately because while I'm trying to make use of naptime he's getting into stuff and trying to sneak around and do anything BUT nap. Which is bad not only because it undermines and interrupts my break time/work time during the day but it's also rotten because then I have to follow through with discipline for him not obeying me and the rules for nap time.
But then today it did occur to me that he is almost 5.
Maybe I need to get with the program and embrace the reality that he doesn't need to sleep for two hours during the day anymore. (In fact, most times when he does sleep bedtime turns out to be a disaster.)
So now I'm entertaining the idea that I need to come up with a new strategy. What are your ideas or tried-and-true policies for your non-nappers during naptime? Is this the official end of my mommy downtime at naptime? (Say it isn't so!)
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Sorry ... I think your naptime is over but quiet time is in still order. You definitely have the right to your own down time in the afternoon.
ReplyDeleteMy (newly minted) five year old still naps in the afternoon when he does not have school--Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. I found that during the summer, he would not nap every day. It happens. My 7 year old stopped napping when she was 4. My 6 year old would still nap if she was at home. Every kid is different.
I don't know how much room you have in your house. I'm blessed with a little extra, at least for now, so this is what I do with the non-nappers: I separate them. The 7 year old (when she's home) goes downstairs (basement) and she has to stay down or else she has to lay down with the lights out. There are plenty of toys downstairs and she's very good at staying quiet.
The 6 year old (when she's home) goes into the spare bedroom with coloring books and quiet activities. I also put a sleeping bag in there because she does nap occasionally. She has to stay in there or lay down with the lights out.
There are many afternoons during which I have allowed movies for the children (read: first trimester mommy-nap-time) during naptime. So the kids would sit in the family room or in the basement quietly watching their movie which would buy me 1-2 hours of sleep.
The two year old always goes to bed in the afternoon.
The kids are always allowed out of quiet time to use the restroom. However, I have each of them go to the bathroom before quiet time starts.
When the 5 year old stops napping on his days off or when it interferes with bedtime, I'll train him for quiet time in the basement. It takes a couple of weeks for it to sink in (the leave mom alone part).
Hope that makes sense.
Good luck!
oh, i feel your pain. my daughter is only 3.5 yrs (4 in april), and gave up naps before she was 3! she still naps MAYBE once-twice/week, but only if she's up til 10 or so the night before (b/c she napped that day). i prefer she goes to bed at 7:30 - 8 each night and wakes at 7 or so, but she only does that if she doesn't nap. if she DOES nap b/c of a busy day, etc. then she doesn't go to bed til 10 (no quiet time for the hubby and i!). so it's a tradeoff - either i get quiet time in the day if she naps or at night w/ my husband.
ReplyDeletei found it was too much of a struggle to keep trying to force her to sleep in the day, and we would fight about it. so i finally had her just lay on the couch w/ a sippy cup of milk (i know it's a big no-no, but whatever) and sometimes she'll get so relaxed she'll fall asleep...but then it's a late night. if she DOESN'T sleep, then i let her watch one show after her milk while i lay there next to her and pray, read, etc. It's about an hour break w/ the milk either way. you get used to not having a real break in the day, and then look forward to the easy, early bedtime.
good luck!
I'd still make sure there's a quiet time in the middle of the day, just like the other commenters said. The down time is still important for his age, but not forcing the sleep issue could buy you both some relaxation.
ReplyDeleteI keep my almost 4 year old in her darkened room for naps now, and she sleeps maybe half the time (messing up bedtime later). If she doesn't sleep, she's just singing and playing with a few stuffed animals in her bed. When she's a little older - another year maybe - I think I'll leave the curtains open (lights still off) and she can play down on the floor with some quiet toys or books. Quiet time WILL be mandated :) Please, Lord, don't make me eat my words!
Yes, I'm beginning to see the light. Even though it's the end of an era, I'm encouraged and hopeful to begin our naptime transformation tomorrow. I'm optimistic, with your suggestions, that anything will be more peaceful than the current naptime mode of operation! Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteYou were doing good to keep naptime going as long as you did! My kids don't nap past age three or so. I'm with Aubrey-go with quiet time. That's what I'm trying to do at my house now.
ReplyDeleteNone of my kids made it past two. One the other hand, it does make for longer nights and you don't have to adjust your day to be home at nap time, whatever, any more.
ReplyDeleteWe never did quiet time, etc., either. Just slug through. Maybe that's why I'm so cranky. . . . .?
Mandatory quiet time and reading... you don't have to sleep, but you have to stay in bed til the timer beeps. :)
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