Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think there’s something a bit sad about toddlers napping so easily at nursery?

115 replies

TawnyHabenero · 27/09/2024 15:21

Feral wild beasts at home that say NOOOO NEVER to naps.

Compliant little submissive creatures at nursery who will just lay down on a mat and go to sleep.

Is it just me or does it feel a bit sad, like they’re out of their comfort zone/inhibited at nursery that they just lie down and comply?

Or they’re just rascals with their parents and secretly they love to nap

OP posts:
Dweetfidilove · 27/09/2024 15:29

Compliant little submissive creatures at nursery who will just lay down on a mat and go to sleep.

This language is what I find sad ☹️.

Boundaries and routine are good for children. Being allowed to be feral beasts at home - not so much.

Starlightstarbright3 · 27/09/2024 15:29

I was a childminder had my fair share of babies that napped happily for me .

they are physically and emotionally exhausted at nursery.

there are probably more routines than at home - we always did quiet time which some of the coming out of naps would have a doze , quiet rest .

its not sad , compliance -

Crazyeight · 27/09/2024 15:28

Or another interpretation could be bored witless at home, satisfyingly worn out and fed at nursery. Just stop it.

ButterAsADip · 27/09/2024 15:27

Ha. My daughter naps for between 4 to 21 minutes at nursery 🙃🙃 and is now dropping them at home too, since she realised she doesn’t need them at nursery 🤣😭😭 help me

Itiswhysofew · 27/09/2024 15:27

I actually have a memory of nap time at nursery. I remember not wanting to rest, but knew that I had to do as I was told.

I remember being very fidgety Grin

ThisHangryPinkBalonz · 27/09/2024 15:26

Haha, I remember this stage but as others have said, it's group mentality.. maybe adopt 20 other children of the same age to get the same effect 😄

Lavender14 · 27/09/2024 15:26

Oganesson118 · 27/09/2024 15:23

I think they’re just copying the others. I’ve never considered it sad.

This^

Ds is FLAT OUT at nursery playing with his friends and he loves it. His days with me are probably more chill by comparison. He also eats things in nursery he wouldn't eat at home. He's seeing the others doing it and learning from them and wanting to join in with what they're doing... same applies to learning new skills like singing songs with actions or playing games or climbing etc. I don't see it as sad at all, they're learning how to interact as a group.

Singleandproud · 27/09/2024 15:25

Children follow what others do and like boundaries and routine. Children at home act how they like without others to model good or less desirable behaviour.

Life at home often doesn't have strict routines and boundaries, parents are inconsistent and flex their routine to what they need to do. Rightly or wrongly that impacts a child's behaviour.

Equally my DD was never a rascal and loved to nap but we had a pretty set routine and if we were out would nap in the buggy. She was also an only child, I dare say if she had similarly aged siblings they would have riled each other up. She has however continued to love routine and rules (and sleep) well into the teenage years so perhaps it's personality.

DappledThings · 27/09/2024 15:25

They're just fitting in with the routine. Maybe they are being more submissive in choosing to lie down (not lay down, they aren't chickens) but realising in certain situations there are rules and routines to fit in with isn't a bad thing.

Mostly they're just happy to do what their friends are doing.

SnapdragonToadflax · 27/09/2024 15:24

They just go along with the others - the same as most children eat better and are less fussy at nursery than home.

Beezknees · 27/09/2024 15:24

Mine always napped fine at home. Never napped at nursery! He stopped napping completely at 2 and a half.

RedHelenB · 27/09/2024 15:24

Kids need rest and play.

Strawberrycheesecake7 · 27/09/2024 15:23

Depending on the age of the child I think it’s probably more about wanting to do what the other children are doing. But I have worked in a nursery and they definitely don’t all nap when they’re supposed to.

redalex261 · 27/09/2024 15:23

Mine never napped, home or nursery. Stubbornly awake. All the bloody time.

Oganesson118 · 27/09/2024 15:23

I think they’re just copying the others. I’ve never considered it sad.