hideous toddler without a nap.

[fruitstick]

My DS is 2.5 and is refusing to have a nap during the day. he will sleep at nursery but point blank refuses at home. This would be fine if it didn't mean that he was hideous for the rest of the afternoon. He's shattered and throws his toys, cries and generally flails around.

I've tried just leaving him in his room with the curtains closed and until recently he would play for a while and then drop off, but not now.

What do I do?

I tried bribing with a storytape, if not being quiet tape got turned off but she still had to have a nap. To my surprise this worked for us, (despite obvious if she was being noisy she couldn't have cared if tape was on in the first place) and she still wants one now she has 'quiet time' sometimes nap now at 3.5. There are loads in charity shops also in libraries, children's ones are free to borrow.

fruitstick, my DD was SO AWFUL at this stage in the afternoons once she started to refuse naps that i had to either walk her around the streets for mindless hours or drive her (to my shame...environmental terrorism at its worst..) around the same streets until she slept. nothing but nothing else works. i don't advise you to follow suit but i do know what you're going through! good luck...

sorry...worked. not works. of course other things must work but i really felt at a loss!

DD1 at 2.9 has to be cuddled to sleep on the sofa, she only naps every 3 or 4 days when she really needs it but I have to lie down with her until she goes, only takes about 5 or 10 mins so is better than dealing with her when she hasn't napped.

DS is same, he's about 2.4 and doesn't always have a nap. Mind you he hasn't had one at the childminder for months - but then I don't ahve to deal with him!

What I do now is to lie down in bed with him and read a story and cuddle him until he drops off. I then either sneak out or have a snooze myself. He also doesn't seem to need a nap every day, so maybe every other day might be poss?

Mine has just started refusing to nap, screaming if I leave her. She's just about to turn 2. I have to lie down next to her cot. She is so much better and happier with the nap. Little buggers.

katie, I think you might be right. Sometimes he will fall asleep in his pushchair if we go out but, to be honest, I'm so reluctant to resort to it as his nap time is the only time I get to get anything done or sit down myself!

I tried lying down and hoping he followed suit but I dozed off and he kept jumping on me!

My little man is 2.3 and he really fights sleep, so i take him upstairs and read a couple of storys then cuddle him until he's asleep. I'm expecting No2 in a few weeks though, so i'm really nervous about getting him to nap then, i forsee a lot of driving about

Stories, please excuse my spelling

Mine is 20 mths, and has decided that he will miss out on something if he naps. Luckily, the pushchair can still send him off, so he is now flat out on the sofa snoring.

hiccy, fruitstick - i vividly remember the nightmare of trying to get EVIL TODDLER (loved, and love, her to bits but honestly - without naps she really was beelzebub and no mistake!!)to sleep while also trying to ensure charming, routine-adhering baby got his hour and three-quarters over lunchtime! argh argh argh!! i borrowed a double pushchair and walked them both up hill and down dale often to no avail toddler-wise tho baby always conked out immediately. 'twas a tough time and no mistake. at least i never ever had to worry about post-baby weight staying put - it all fell off within a few weeks (leaving me skinny but haggard!!)

Cheers katie, i already look 102!! Please don't tell me i'll get worse!

Hi Fruitstick. I've a DS 2.8 today. Each week is different, so the first battle is adapting to his quickly-changing needs. No use making fixed plans for the afternoon in case we need to be at home for a nap. Try to be flexible to start with.
Second, try to set up a napping-afternoon-routine and a non-napping-afternoon routine. Kids this age apparently thrive on routine more than ever. For example, if it's a not-napping day, clean up after lunch and pack up the buggy and get right out for a walk or playground. If it's a napping day, after lunch, cuddle with a story book in a quiet place, put on a lullaby, and firmly put the child down to sleep. If they are in need of the sleep they shouldn't fight too much.
Third, if you guessed wrong and you try a nap but they are popping right out of bed straight away, the time to admit you're wrong and change plans is SOON. Do not give in after a 10 minute fight or they'll learn that you're a pushover.
Fourth, if it's a nightmare day and they fight you even though they are clearly tired and in need of a nap, put up a travel cot and stick them in there.
HTH, it all worked and still works for me. DD is now 18 mo so about to have this joy again when she soon decides not to sleep after lunch anymore...

sorry about the blow to morale hiccy!! i bet you are a fresh-faced lil' pipsqueak of a thing compared to the ravaged state of affairs at my end x

Well, ds has just spent two hours sleeping on the sofa cuddled up to me - so unusual, but such a welcome break!