end of afternoon nap?

[defyinggravity]

My ds is 23 months old and over the last few weeks there have been a couple of days each week where I've put him down for his afternoon nap and he just hasn't gone off. The other days he's gone to sleep fine.
This week though we have had 4 consecutive days up to now of him being put down to sleep and him not sleeping. I've done the usual stuff in the mornings.. longish walks, runnng around at the park, all to no avail. Do I give up on the naps or do you think this is just a phase?

What happens when you put him down? Does he cry or is he happy lying there?

If he's happy, you can always just treat it as quiet time after lunch. He may or may not drop off but at least you both get a rest...

Keep trying for a bit. You could also try putting him down a bit later, maybe?

He goes into his cot ok usually and isn't moaning about it. I can hear him through the monitor playing about and chatting to himself, so he's fine.
I will keep persevering for a time, as its the only bit of the day when I get some time to have a quiet cuppa and maybe do some jobs without him wanting me to play!

After nearly an hour of chattering and squealing and generally messing about today he is (sshhh!) finally asleep.

I would keep putting him up if he is happy. If he sleeps, great if not, have a cuppa and a chill for half an hour or how ever long you feel is reasonable and then if he is still not interested in sleep get him up. My 3 yr old stopped napping everyday at about age 2. He will skip a few days now maybe a whole week and then he will have a mega 2hrs+ nap. I allow him to regulate that himself as long as he stays a super sleeper at night. I do insist on a quiet time after lunch though when I can. I put tv on and he will chill for a while even if he doesn't want to sleep.
I go back to work 4th Jan and he will be in nursery 3 days a week 9-3 and I just know he is going to be shattered and will be falling asleep on the way home. Go with the flow as long as they sleep at night!

Am going through exact same thing with my 2yo DS1. He seems happy for the quiet time in his room on the days when he doesn't sleep, so am still persevering and putting him in his room. Know what you mean about it being the only quiet time you get. It can be a real shock to the system when you have your 'me time' taken away!!

inahurrymummy Exactly, it really is a shock. He was so reliable and sleeping for a good 2 hours each day .Today is another day he didn't sleep. Hoping to get him off to bed for 7 and then I can have some me time.....after I've done dinner; tidied up; put a wash on...... etc... then my me time will be going to sleep myself as I'm shattered.