What does ‘quiet time’ look like for your toddler?

[Theduchessofblahland]

I know, I know, the words ‘quiet’ and ‘toddler’ don’t normally go together but hear me out…

Ds is 2 years 8 months, stopped napping consistently a few months ago. He will actually nap about two or three times a month, usually if he’s had a very early wake up. We changed nap time to quiet time when he went through a phase of standing up in cot and screaming, so we let him take toys and books upstairs and he used to play for an hour or two in his cot, and occasionally fall asleep with a toy in his hand. But now… he’s completely refusing to go upstairs for it and it’s such a battle now. It’s meant to be a time for him to decompress and chill for a bit but he acts like it’s a punishment. I think he still needs to nap! But apparently I am wrong and he is NOT tired, even when he falls asleep at the dinner table.
For context he has a new two-month old sister and we moved house a few weeks ago (definitely hasn’t helped!) although quiet time predates this. Help! What do I do? Give up completely? Put his play tent up in his room and let him play in it instead of bed??

Do whatever gives you the easiest life? Especially with a new sibling and house. These are huge changes. I'd be led by the toddler.

By 2.5 my youngest had stopped napping. Just put the tv on for an hour if you want some chill out time, or if the quiet time is for the toddler’s benefit read a few books and do a puzzle each day after lunch? Don’t create a battle enforcing ‘quiet time’.

My 4yo still has quiet time at the weekend while her toddler sister naps. For us that's TV tbh. If he needs to a rest just do whatever it takes, especially with a baby.

A 2yo, new baby and a house move - you must be shattered yourself OP

Mine wouldn't ever entertain the idea of playing in his cot. My son is the same age we just do stories on the sofa and then TV for quiet time.

We are going through this transition from nap time to quiet time too. I would say go with the tent in his room. Do you have a children's audio player like Toniebox or Yoto? Our DC likes to listen to that. As long as he's pretty quiet and in his room I don't try to direct too much

It looks a lot like Peppa Pig.

Same, DD keeps moving otherwise.

Reading books together if it's him and DH, but I sometimes let him have screen time instead, snuggled together under a blanket, or we have driving cars on mummy time!

These are great, thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming! I guess we’re clinging onto quiet time In The hope that today will be The Day He Falls Asleep! But we’ll have to give up in the new year anyway as DH will be going into the office twice a week and I can’t put him to bed with the baby strapped to me if he’s not going willingly.

And yes, @JenniferBarkley I am
bloody shattered! Especially as the baby will only nap during feeds or in the sling.

we do tv most afternoons but I feel less guilty reading that you all do as well :) Will try some audio stories too, thanks for that @escapingthecity .

We use TV very strategically so that it works for everyone. An hour after lunch so that the toddler actually sits still and so that you get something of a break sounds absolutely fine to me.

Our eldest's sleep became bulletproof overnight once she stopped napping so you never know, maybe you'll find an upside to ditching it. Although we had a similar age gap and achieving The Double was an amazing feeling

Totally not the point of the thread by my two DC have never, ever, just sat quietly and played on their own. They are 9 and 6 and still won't unless in involves Minecraft so I am very jealous OP.

On your actual question many toddlers stop napping by that age, my eldest stopped around then (timing it nicely with the start of my morning sickness with his little sister!), my youngest never napped at all. I think the play tent sounds like a good idea if that would make him happy, it's hard for them when a new baby comes around so just do what you need to do, there really isn't a right or wrong.