Am I being mean??

[CaptainMexico0]

My DD is 3 now, and dropped the day time nap a short while ago. I had a really good run with it, she was an excellent napper. After seeking some advice on MN a few weeks back, the idea of quiet time came up a lot. I've trialled and errored it and now seem to have found if she goes into her cot with the curtains half drawn (so some light still coming through) with toys and books in with her and nursery rhymes playing on the Alexa, that she seems to chill out for about an hour or so. She shouts down at me from time to time and I speak to her through the baby monitor in her room, but all in all she seems content. I keep her door open as well so I can hear her from downstairs.
I did try the quiet area downstairs in the living room, but it didn't work at all.
I am a single parent and I'm on the go at the weekends from 7am to 7pm with her and just value one hour of quiet time on a Saturday or Sunday, it gives me time to eat without being climbed on, put a wash on without her chucking everything out the basket or just sit in silence !
I can't help but feel mean though! the minute she shows any sign of distress I go upstairs and get her, but all in all she is content for an hour or so in her cot with her toys, books and teddies whilst i watch her on the camera.
Am I being mean or is it ok?
I would hate for her to think I want her out the way, it's not that at all - it's just quiet time does us both some good.
She's currently laying in her cot swinging her legs about singing Mr Sun at the moment and trying to tell the Alexa what songs she wants.
Am I overthinking? should I be doing this?
I don't have anything to compare it to as she's my first and I'm completely on my own with her.

If she is content then keep doing it until that changes. Parenting is hard, it's ok to want/need a break and ultimately you will feel more recharged and ready for the afternoon of parenting if you have one!

I don't think you're being mean. She's happy and would let you know if she wasn't. She's also in a safe place and the quiet time is good for her too. Getting a break is really important and means you can be a better mum the rest of the day rather being snappy and irritable. (Speaking from experience). Sounds like you're doing an amazing job

Sounds really good. If she's swinging her legs and singing she definitely doesn't sound unhappy. Id let doing it till the day it stops working

I'm completely jealous - my DS stopped napping when I was pregnant with DD and would not entertain any quiet time. I used to plonk him in front of the TV for a bit so I could sit down! She'll let you know when she's unhappy doing it.

You are doing your child a great service by teaching her to become self reliant for entertainment in this way! IMO parents that feel the need to entertain and interact with their offspring during every waking moment are making huge rods for their own backs! You are not neglecting her, you are helping her healthy development. When my youngest started school there was a child in the class who had great difficulty adjusting to school, they had NEVER spent any time away from their parent during waking hours, be it with a relative, nursery, or on their own. I think it was quite unkind to not realise what effect this would have on the child when the time came for school to happen.

What???! Why would you even think that? Children can be quite happy on their own and it's important that they build up an ability to entertain themselves. What does it matter if you're doing it for her good or your good, though? If it works for you both, crack on.

I think quiet time is a good idea but I'm wondering why she is still in a cot?

Couldn't she look at books or watch TV for an hour? Even play on her own for an hour.

I would maybe make a safe space for her with toys and books and transition to that. But it’s a great thing to do. Teaching kids to play independently without the use of a screen is a real life skill.

If she wasn’t happy, you’d know about it - the fact you still respond when she shows any sign of upset or distress is great, but you’re also teaching her to become independent by letting her entertain herself while you get on with what you need to get on with.

I wish I could do this with my 3 year old!