My 3 year old is throwing the biggest tantrum of his life

[Nabster]

[Othersideofthechannel]

What is he upset about?

[Nabster]

He doesn't want to have his nap.

I know he needs it and will not sleep well tonight without it.

Just off to put him back again.

[Lulumama]

maybe he does not want/need his sleep? i would ignore and get on with something else... rally not worth getting in a tizzy..

DD stopped going down for a sleep in bed ages ago, but will often drop off on the sofa or in the car on the way to school..

he might just keel over if you leave him, rather than trying to put him to bed

[Nabster]

I'm not in a tizzy. I have been ignoring him. Just went upstairs and now he has settled down and is going off to sleep.

[Othersideofthechannel]

How about a big calming cuddle on the sofa together?
It's hard to fall asleep when you're upset.

[Othersideofthechannel]

Sorted then.

[Lulumama]

ok, just trying to help..

glad he is settled

[Nabster]

I know you were. I was just answering you.

I know him and he got himself in such a state. It was his first morning back at playschool so has probably wore him out. I wanted him asleep at the normal time as I have to take DD back to the dentist this afternoon. The tooth that suffered the trauma is very lose.

[charmargot]

I look after a little boy who won't be put to sleep in a cot so we snuggle up on the couch and watch an old black and white film. Educational and relaxing! I either slope off once he's asleep or watch it through!
If my own little girl gets too tired she goes a bit crazy, but the best thing to do is to leave her to sleep as no amount of cuddles will settle her once she's overtired.

[dietqueen]

MY Ds used to do this at 2 and a half - he dropped his slepp soon after but like you I KNEW if he didnt have a nap then he would be overtired at bedtime and not sleep properly.

There was no way he would go in his cot or nap on the sofa so I got threw it by either putting him in his pram/pushchair and going for a lovely walk - he woudl drop off, I would get some exercise and could have thoughful time as I was walking.

Rainy days I would go out int he car laden with some trashey magazines and as soon as he nodded off I'd pull up, get the mags out and chill

He's now 4 and still gets tired sometimes so we now have 45 mins/1 hour on the sofa reading or watching TV cuddled up - just enough for him to re-charge his batteries