Lunchtime sleep gone :o( child tired and ratty!

[BlueBumedFly]

So, my DD is 2.9 and sleeps at lunchtime at nursery (of course) but not for me at home. If she does crash out at home she sleeps for 2 hours so I know there is still a 'need' there.

I thought about settling her on the sofa with milk and a DVD but all the DVDs we have are things like The Wiggles and sing-song ones that she knows off by heart and wants to dance to.

Any ideas for lunchtime DVDs that can help this transitional phase? She can doze off if needed or just lie and watch for a while to rest? All of ours are too interactive.

Without a sleep by 5pm she is very crispy but getting her into bed at lunchtime is now so stressy it is not worth it, just causes a row.

Any ideas please? Thanks.

Kipper the dog can be fairly relaxing - the background music is soft jazz and the animated part of each picture is just the characters mainly (iyswim) the rest of each picture/screen is just white so doesn't overstimulate - mine love it!

Just as an FYI I am extreeeeeemely envious that your DD is still having a nap at 2.9 - both of my DC gave up at 18 months despite all the other kids at nursery continuing - sigh!

HTH

my dd is the same age and just dropped her nap too.

we like Bagpuss for a nice restful DVD. Check out amazon - all the golden greats from out childhood are there.

My DD is 17 months and just doing this now.

My Mum bought her the snowman DVD which she loves to watch.

Absolutely no chance in hell of her dropping off to it though - she has NEVER dropped off anywhere other than her pushchair and cot.

feeling the pain

having the same issues with ds 2

shall we have a daily gathering to moan lol

Starlight - my DD too. She doesn't stop from the minute she wakes up until she goes to bed. Am at all these nearly 3 year olds who still have a daytime sleep!

I think you're right to think that a good rest and quiet time can be as valuable as a nap.
Beagle suggested KIpper, My DD likes Spot which is in much the same vein.
Also, story or music CDs?

Yes yes yes to a daily post on our pain!! I think if she did not have the sleep at nursery I would think fair cop, sleep gone. But she is asleep from 12.15 when she is there for an hour and a half, sometimes they have to wake her up!!

Will try bagpus and kipper and spot, frankly will try anything so thank you so much for the suggestions.

Dd never slept anywhere but her cot so I know I am asking a lot. I thought I was so clever getting her down in her cot each day when she was tiny. Never again!! If I had another one they would learn to sleep on the hoof or lump it!

Like i said, if she did not turn into the crispy crispy child from crispyland at 5pm in could deal with it but she is testing me to the very limit right now .... Will try books and a cd tomorrow maybe, she has a soft play party in the morning for 2 hours, if she doesn't sleep at lunch I know tomorrow evening is going to be choice!!

So sorrry for you ladies with sleeps dropped at 18 months, how did you stay sane???

how about pingu, the wombles, bagpuss

Yes we are going through the nap dropping as well - DS is 2.4. I might still get an hour out of him if he falls asleep in the car on the way back from nursery but that's about it. He won't nap if he's put down awake now. To be fair I think I had a pretty good run of it.

Bit of a bugger with the timing as I'm 38 weeks pg but we sit on the sofa together after lunch and read lots. That's his "quiet" time and I enjoy the cuddles too.

He doesn't watch DVD's or Cbeebies - won't sit still for long enough.

The upside is of course a slightly earlier bedtime! DS is usually tucked up and sparko by 6.45pm!

My SIL somehow has got her 3 older children aged 8, 5 and 4 to still have a quiet time in their rooms if at home after lunch, when they have to read books or play quietly for an hour or so! So even though she now has a fourth DC aged 6 months she knows she gets some peace.

She's an inspiration to me

I put Waybuloo on for my LO who has just dropped his naps at 2.5. I really miss them!