Please tell me all the good things about having a child who no longer naps in the day, I am missing my break!

[used2bthin]

DD is 2.3 and was sleeping really well, 7.30-8 ish then a one and a half hour nap after lunch. Well she now just will not sleep in the day she literally just isn't tired. She is going into a bed for the first time tonight so I suppose at least she will be properly tired but I miss my break in the afternoon, it was when I did jobs and all my friends children still nap so we are all in the habit of doing morning things, going home for naps thenmaybe a quick trip or friends round about 3pm after nap time.

Seriously I kno this isn't really a big problem and I've been really lucky with her sleep its just all completely different because she is now exhausted from 4 ish onwards which means car journeys are out of the question and she is just really grumpy and miserable. I suppose not having to rush home for sleep is one good thing... any others?

She might go to bed earlier in the evening.

They sleep longer at night. They don't get so whiny on long shopping trips because you haven't made it home in time for the nap.

Tanks yes there is that. She went about 40mins earlier last night but then was up early for her. Which is a good thing I suppose because we have more time to get ready to go out.

My ds has just dropped his nap of his own accord. He used to go to bed at 8pm. Now he goes at 7 and sleeps in later so that is a bonus.

The shopping trip bit will be good too and I suppose maybe we can actually go out for lunch at lunch time rather than 11.30 or 2.30.

no mad rush on weekend mornings to get out of the house in time so that you can do something and still be back for 12

loads more civilised when you have friends staying

being able to have sunday lunch with your dc w/o him being overtired and grumpy

earlier bedtime and/or later waking

being able to go out for whole day w/o worrying about naps

Yes very good witchwithallthetrimmings! The weekend thing is a good point actually I often get stressy with people (my mum mainly!)fo not being ready to go out with us early enough to make it worth a proper trip. Haaving to keep D awake on journeys home can be a nightmare. Mind she may now fall asleep on the way home if I come back after 3ish from anywhere... I suppose the day will just be different. Instead of two short trips she can maybe have one longer one then be in. It is such a short eriod in her life anyway she'll be at preschool before I know it(well in a year!)

Instigate post-lunch quiet time! DS (now 2.7) started trying to drop his nap just after 2 - if I'd gone with it, it would have been goodbye for ever I'm sure but he now goes through weeks where he'll have one 5/7 days, and other weeks where only once or twice out of 7 days. He rarely has one on the weekend, which means he's more likely to want one on a Monday so I get jobs done then. But without fail, if we are at home, an hour after lunch he gets taken up to his room for "quiet time" whilst being told Mummy needs a rest. If he wants to sleep he can (I tend to judge it on how tired I think he is) but if not then he can listen to a story or music CD whilst sitting on his beanbag but in bed... Right from the start I've expected at least 45 min like this, but aim for an hour. Just gives me a chance to unwind and get myself focused for the next few hours. The bonus is that if we are out we aren't restricted by naps, and on those days he won't have one meaning he's more likely to have one the next day, but even if he doesn't then I still have a short break for myself.

That is a good idea weegle I will try it. Athough now that DD is going to be in a bed and can get out I'm not sureshe will stay put. Sounds like the ideal situation though as you still don't have to rush back for naps.

ah yes, we are very fortunate in that despite (or because of?) DS going in to a bed at 19 months he doesn't get out. But even so, I would try it. And explain that because "your're a big girl, and mummy needs a break, you can stay in your room listening to this whilst I have a rest - I will come and get you at the end of the CD" etc... no harm in trying!

Yes good plabn I will try it. Would be great to get the break but still have her in bed at a good time. How is your DS btw or am I thinkin of someone else? I spoke to you about the adrenals?

different person - think there's someone with a similar name!

Ah sorry yes wasn't sure!

Ps sorry for my typos, keyboard keeps missing letters!