Snooze, sleep, siesta, rest, or nap. Whatever you call it, toddlers hate it and parents love it. When it’s time for Little Miss’ nap, I can be seen skipping around the house collecting blankets, soother, and her favorite doll. Yup, I’m that guy and I love naps!
Some kids love naps and go down without a fuss. I hope to one day experience this phenomenon.
But what do you do when your toddler decides napping is a waste of time? She might think her time is better spent harassing the cat or coloring, but guess what little girl… you’re wrong!
Now, you could tie your toddler to their bed, or look into crate training. (We’ll that that Plan B, for now) But before going to such extremes check out the below tips to win the battle against a nap fighting child.
Treat Naps Like bedtime
Bedtime and naptime should follow the same routine if possible. If your child gets tucked in a certain way, or reads a certain book, or has a specific bed time toy for bedtime – keep it the same for naps.
Room darkening blinds are also a good way to fool you little loin fruit into thinking its night time.
Same Time, Same Place
Same bat time, same bat channel. Despite the oddly snug tights, and cheesy onomatopoeic words, (ZONK!) Batman had the right idea. Naps should be at the same time, and place each day. (When possible)
If your child knows that after lunch is naptime – without questions – they will accept their fate and hopefully resist less. Consistent parenting is key.
White Noise
Kids have superhuman hearing at the most inopportune times. You could detonate a barrel of TNT, next to them while they watch TV and not even see a flinch. Yet during nap time, every creak, squeak, or fart is a reason to get up and investigate.
For example, a fan or soft music can help drown out any distracting noise keeping your toddler awake.
Beware of the Overtired Toddler
Does your child go through more mood swings than a hormonal teenager or perhaps your wife during that time of the month?
Sounds like your toddler is overtired.
Avoid this at all costs. You might think that the longer your toddler is awake, the better they will sleep. Once your child gets to the point of being over tired, they will be moody, wired, and just a bag of misery.
This is a rookie mistake that will bite you in the ass.
Instead of a Nap, Encourage Quiet Time
Every child is different, and so are their sleep requirements. Most children between the ages of 2 and 4 need about 12 hours of sleep per day. So if your toddler is sleeping 12 hours a night, she might not need a long nap or even a nap at all.
If your child is like my daughter, who needs 12 to 15 hours of sleep per day, he or she may not be ready to give up their nap. She simply needs her nap or else she is a monster by dinner time.
But if your child gets enough sleep a night, he or she might be ready to give up naps altogether. To be honest, I dread the inevitable day that Little Miss no longer naps. I look forward to naptime like a kid on Christmas Eve. It’s a well needed break where daddy can sit, relax, and not be a human jungle gym.
Even if you have decided that your child can make it through the day without a nap, you should still schedule some quiet time during the day. Encourage your child to read a book, do puzzles, or play with some quiet toys in bed.
If your toddler still needs a nap but refuses, quiet time might even settle her down enough to fall asleep.
Now, if none of these naptime tips works, I give you permission to try crate training. Go for it!
Do you have a child that won’t nap?
Related posts:
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
We have the same problem with our son and we have a white noise machine.
Even with it, he is somewhat of a challenge to get get to take a nap, and zonks out at 6pm. And then is up at 1:30 am wanting popcorn or a movie.
We are still fine tuning our bat channel.
Crazy Nuts Mom recently posted..Savor Family Flavor
[Reply]