Was this mean?

[PickleAndPudding]

DD (nearly 2) has been seriously resisting her afternoon nap since Christmas. She reeeeaaally needs it (is v grumpy without it and will fall asleep at the drop of a hat if in her buggy or the car).

Anyway, I've been trying everything to get her back into her routine (returning her to her bed etc). Decided today just to let her get on with it (after returning her to her bed two or three times). I could hear her playing for about an hour and a half. She then cried halfheartedly for about 5 minutes (maybe less) then went quiet. I went up about 20 mins later to see what she was up to and she'd fallen asleep on the floor by her stairgate. I picked her up and put her in her bed and she's still sleeping now (about an hour later).

I feel AWFUl about it. Is it OK to do this? I feel so bad that she was pottering around on her own for so long and that she conked out on the floor.

What should I do instead in future?

Well I don't think it was mean at all! She was perfectly happy pottering around, and only cried for a few minutes, and you got a nice break. So you were both happy, don't feel bad at all. Mine have been doing that for months on end, and still often do that at bedtime. They don't tend to fall asleep on the floor so often now, they've worked out the cot is mroe comforatble.

don't worry.

ds1 (who is as stubborn as they come) also dropped his nap early and also sometimes falls asleep on the floor - he does that whether someone is paying him attention or not - I'm sure your dd didn't fall asleep because of lack of stimulation.

mind you, an hour and a half is a lot - if I were you I'd start the nap later and see how that goes. if she stops falling asleep all together you might find that 10 mins of lying down with you in a dark room helps keep the afternoon grumpiness away at least.

If i had a £1 for every time i've picked DS (nealry 3) up off the floor where he has fallen asleep after refusing his nap i would be a rich woman!! He goes into his room, the blinds go down, night light (if necessary) goes on and the door gets closed. If he plays around, he plays around and then falls asleep on the floor, in his ball pool, under the bed. Learned the hard way that constantly pandering to his crying and attention seeking was more stressfull to both of us than just letting him get on with it. I can hear him in his room via intercom so know what he's up to. Don't sweat it, the first time was hard but believe me the hour of peace and quiet (neighbours and doctors) are well worth it.