My dd who is now 2 1/2 stopped taking her nap probably 9 months ago. I didn't worry about it as I have a 6 year old as well, and it's easy to be on the go all the time. But the time has come where she is just wearing herself out, and not falling asleep like she used to in the car, or watching a program, so I'm thinking we need to reinstate nap time.
Has anyone out there had luck with this? She's a pretty strong willed little girl. I'm imagining crying and screaming....
We ended up starting a "quiet time" so I told her she didn't "have" to take a nap, but we would read and she could sleep if she wanted. She's been taking quiet time or naps ever since! She doesn't always go peacefully, but she ALWAYS sleeps : ) She'll be 4 this Dec (2011)
I suggest that you try instituting a quiet time during which she's resting in her room. Have the room dim and perhaps put on soft music. Let her look at books or even play quietly. If she's not forced to nap and she's tired she may fall asleep. Even if she doesn't fall asleep she will have rested which helps.
My daughter (27 months) gave up her nap at 18 months. I kept quiet time with her. She has to sit and play quietly on her bed for at least 30 minutes every afternoon. I'd just explain to your daughter that everyone is going to have quiet time, including mommy. See if doing something like that won't help with the resistance...also start her quiet time by reading two books to her.
Hi M., something for you to consider instead of "naps" which will tilt her world I am sure. We had what we called the "Perry Mason Hour" at our house. When the show came on everyone knew that Mom, had her quiet time and that they also had to have quiet time. We leftthe show going and when it was over the children knew it was time to get up or come out of thier rooms. I didn't care if they slept but that they were able to rest and renew thier bodies and I was able to get some much needed time. The show is still on and although my children have left hoe everyso often one will call and say "Mom its quiet time Perry Mason, is on". It has been a sweet memory for us. You could pik something else a favorite CD, anything that would be the same for each day and same time. We are just starting tis with afew of the grandchildren. They are making Big Bird nests on the floor with blankets and read or look at books.
Good Luck. Nana Glenda
Try a quiet time. When my children stopped taking naps, and needed to refresh, we had quiet time. This was a time when they had to be in their beds but they did not have to sleep. They could look at books or play quietly with toys, but they had time alone for one hour. This did wonders for the afternoon. Sometimes, they would fall asleep on their own and sometimes not. However, everyone was in a better mood at the end. Also, I did not let it go longer than an hour even if they fell asleep. That way they still slept at bedtime.
Definitely a quiet time for everyone in the family is the way to go. That way she won't feel like she's the only one having to nap and resist. Just tell your kids you've noticed that all of you are getting tired and cranky and you think having a rest time would help all of you.
