My nearly 3 year old thinks it's morning when she wakes up from her nap

[Elisabethrose95]

So we've been having this problem sometimes and it's starting to distress our child. She's totally convinced that when she goes to bed for a nap at 2pm, that it's actually a big night time sleep. Then sometimes when she wakes up from her nap at 4pm, she thinks it's the morning amd gets all upset...

I feel unreasonable telling her that she can't have a proper breakfast but if I keep giving her a proper breakfast, I'm scared that it'll perpatuate the idea that it's the morning to her and continue this cycle of upset.

I put her down for a nap in normal day time clothes, and we don't brush her teeth but for some reason it just isn't clicking for her... Any suggestions? Anyone else who has gone through this?

@cherrypie66

3 year old is too old for a nap

Bollocks. I'm 31 and love a nap

@cherrypie66

3 year old is too old for a nap

Would you rather an overtired, grumpy and unhappy child? Give over.

I still nap when my 15 month old does, it's wonderful.

Just give her a bowl of cereal for her post nap snack? And then a proper evening meal later on? I think it sounds cute but I appreciate that I don't need to listen to her being irrationally upset!

@2ducksandI

Oh ffs finding something odd because you have never encountered it before is not shaming. Everytime someone questions something they aren't shaming the other person. Grow up.

There are ways and means about sharing an opinion and then there is shaming

I have no idea where nap shaming came from. Interestingly it continues with parents who are shocked that my teens still have bedtimes. Sleep is important.

Op, I'd give a small bowl of cereal. This will not be a problem for life

@cherrypie66

3 year old is too old for a nap

Why?

I'm jealous peoples kids nap. I wish my 3 year old would.

I have to say my dd never napped at 3 unless she was feeling poorly or absolutely cream crackered and had crashed out on the sofa

Can she not nap on the couch instead of going to bed? Maybe then she won't be so confused.

Sorry I've realised my comment was a bit unnecessary. Apologies

My 3 year old DD still naps for 3 hours on the 4 days she not at nursery, usually 1pm-4pm. She sometimes asks if it’s morning and I just say no it’s still day time shall we go play and she’s accepting of that. I don’t know how posters can say whether a child is too old for a nap? Surely each child is an individual. DD missed a nap last week as I felt pressured to drop it and she was completely over tired and really hard work for 2 days, I’ve stopped listening to others and she can nap as long as she wants as far as I’m concerned!

I should add though her bedtime routine is different to nap time as as well as bath and teeth she also has a story and me singing 5 specific songs whereas at nap time there’s none of that because I’m not doing it twice! I think that helps her understand the difference

@cherrypie66

3 year old is too old for a nap

Says who? My older one was still napping about 2 hours at that age. It's a bit unusual but hardly unheard of.

What is all this bollocks about "not needing a nap" past 1 or whatever.

1. Have you ever tried to make a child who doesn't want to sleep, sleep? If they're napping, it's needed.

1. I need a bloody nap and I am thirty four! Naps are good for you, NASA encourage them as they're good for brain development.

A lot of people on MN would be a lot more pleasant if they took 20 minutes for a well timed nap occasionally

Nap shaming 🤣 I can't believe that the op is asking advice about what to do about her kid thinking it's morning and people are trying to give advice on when to nap 🤦‍♀️I'm sure op is aware whether her kid needs a nap or not and if she wanted advice on that she'd ask.

I think I wouldn't give brekkie personally, I'd just keep telling them that they are having a nap and it's still the afternoon. At 3 they should be able to comprehend that?

I do hope my second continues to nap at 3. My first nap refuses from 2.5 onwards and it was hell as he really needed that nap. By 5pm he was still a long way off bedtime and really very grouchy. Took at least half a year for that to wear off.

I am also eyerolling at the concept of nap shaming!! I think when you have had a child who cannot and will not nap past a young age, it’s just hard to conceive of one who naps past 4 for example. I’m not saying anyone is doing anything wrong (are other posters? I’d need to check) but I’d assume most people are just shocked if their experience was quite different.

@Barrawarra the comments were that a 3 year old doesn't need to nap and is she sure her child needs a nap. 🤷‍♀️ Her kid is having a nap, then yes the kid needs a nap.

I imagine it's jealousy at the fact her kid still naps and theirs doesn't

Hmmm can I use this to have second breakfasts too

@Ohsugarhoneyicetea

Hmmm can I use this to have second breakfasts too

Of course. Common sense, surely.

@Barrawarra

I think it’s this being “shocked” if a child naps?

Shock is ... I don’t know... finding out your husband is having an affair. Your employer is unexpectedly making redundancies. Your 14 year old arthritic Westie dog has suddenly found his inner greyhound and done 3 laps of the park at 40mph. Your best friends announce they’re swingers and “how do you like the new pampas grass in the front garden?”

I just don’t understand how ....”young child sleeps in the afternoon....” is something shocking? It may not be usual for individuals, but it’s not unusual for vast swathes of parents/children?

I have a toddler who's the same age as your little one and thinks the same- don't worry. We carry on as normal. The only difference is, we call the nap 'a nap' (and not sleepy time or equivalent) and bedtime 'bedtime' so he knows there's a difference. Ignore the nap shamers- I'll be encouraging DC to nap as long as I can get away with it!