Dear Mamas,
How do you know when it’s time to give up naps?
It’s a question that I don’t really want the answer to because I want to believe that naptime will last forever. My daughter is 2 1/2 and she rarely naps anymore. Her little sister is 6 mos. and naptime is about the only break I get . We go through the routine every day and even started calling it “quiet time”. Our rules are she can lay in bed and read a book or sleep. Well, she now actually sleeps maybe once a week and all the other days just plays in her room and is not tired at all. Today I came in and her room was a disaster because she decided to take all her clothes out of her drawers and try them on. Ugh.
If she doesn’t nap we put her to bed an hour early and she sleeps in a little later in the morning. It sounds like the writing is on the wall but I just can’t imagine the thought of no more naptime. Thanks — any advice would be helpful.
Paige
Dear Paige,
Yes, 2 1/2 is kind of young to give up naps altogether, but having said that every child is different and your little one sounds like a ball of energy. From what you say, I’m going to assume that we’re talking about only ONE nap, and she’s not taking 2 a day (in which case, it would be time to give up one of them).
If she’s not actually napping most of the time anyway, it looks like you have 1 of 2 options, and either is just fine — depending on which works best for you. Always remember the 1st law of parenting … there are 2 things you can never force a child to do: eat and sleep.
1) Continue to put her in her room (door closed) for “quiet time”. Keep the rules and duration as consistent as possible . For days like today, when she decides to take all her clothes out and try them on, use it as a teachable moment, which in this case means time to practice folding and putting away. Do that immediately after “quiet time” so she gets the cause and effect of it without any anger or punitive attitude attached.
One benefit of this approach is that it gives her lots of practice entertaining and occupying herself rather than needing adult interaction all the time. That’s a huge and important skill that will serve her forever.
2) Give up the nap entirely and let her carry on with her day. If you choose this, it’s a great opportunity for mommy/daughter or daddy/daughter special time where she doesn’t have to share you with her little sister. BUT make sure this is really what you want to do, and you’re not just caving. Another use of this time is to give her her 1st little chores, like picking up toys, helping fold laundry, whatever. Make it “big girl time” along with big girl responsibilities. You can even make it time when Mommy’s working quietly while she’s working quietly alongside.
Remember that the decision is totally up to you, and both are good choices. You’re the boss here (and everywhere). Just choose it happily and confidently (with agreement from Dad, of course) and your little firecracker will follow your lead.
Thanks for a great question!
~ The Mamas
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Thank you so much Mamas! I went with option number one and continue to put her down for “quiet time”. She still only falls asleep around 2 days a week but the other days she is playing in her room like a big girl. We did start a clean up routine right after nap time so she learns that if she makes a mess during quiet time, she needs to clean it up. So far so good! Thanks for the advice, you guys are the best!