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Parenting

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Original poster

How to stop 4 year old napping in the car

8 replies

chocolateoranges33 · 29/08/2022 16:10

My youngest DC is 4 and since a being a baby has always fallen asleep when moving- in a car or the pushchair. This was great when DC was little but since dropping naps at 2 1/2 years old has been difficult to manage.

DC, despite starting school next week, will still fall asleep in the car anytime after lunch if in the car for more than 10 minutes. Any journey after lunch until bedtime will send DC to sleep and its really affecting the plans we have now.

If there are any naps at all, including even a 5 minute one, DC will not sleep at usual time of 7.30pm/8pm but can go on quite happily awake until around 10pm which then ruins our evening plans.

We've tried keeping DC awake by talking, singing, them eating/drinking/watching tablet etc but nothing works. When asleep you can only wake DC by taking out of the car seat and walking round, gently shaking arm etc. DC can't be woken up whilst still in the car at all.

We are severally restricting our activities now so that we're not out and about after lunch but then other DC are missing out, as is this one.

Any ideas on keeping DC awake whilst in the car?? I've been hoping DC would grow out of it by now nearly 2 years after dropping nap time, but nope - there's been no improvement or change at all. Help!

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mattressspring · 29/08/2022 16:12

If there are any naps at all, including even a 5 minute one, DC will not sleep at usual time of 7.30pm/8pm but can go on quite happily awake until around 10pm which then ruins our evening plans.

Do you often have evening plans? I would just try to avoid long car journeys on a day you needed to do something on the evening. Other then that I'm a very much go with the flow parent so it wouldn't t fuss me.

thinkover · 29/08/2022 16:52

Disagree with previous poster. Adult evening time is very much needed in our house to enable me to be the parent I want to be in the daytime.

Could you change tact. Still have a bedtime but don’t enforce sleep. Can have quiet play e.g teddies and books in room along with an audio book player so if he doesn’t want to sleep until 10 that’s fine but 7.30pm is still bedtime.

TheTeddyBears · 30/08/2022 09:48

You have my sympathy! This is currently my 2yr old, a 10 min power nap and she'll still be up until nearly 10pm sometimes even later! Sometimes no nap she's still up past 9pm 😞

At age 4 though I would suggest maybe a reward if he/she can go to bed at reasonable time (decided by you) all week then can get X. We do this fairly regularly if my 5yr old starts going off track. Sometimes we've given a Barbie or aquabeads something that's she really wanted. More so now she's getting older it will be a little treat like a slush or ice cream from her favourite dessert place.

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Wazzaland · 30/08/2022 09:59

Agree with sending them up to bed at 8pm still. If they sleep, they sleep. If they don't, they can read or play quietly in their room, but they don't come out their room. It's a good habit to get into as your kids get older and sleep later. Mine are 7 and 9 now and I still ask them to go to upstairs around 8pm so I can have some time to myself.

On car journeys, sit them by the window and have it all of the way down. Get one of the other kids to keep poking them to keep them awake (I used to make my eldest do this to my youngest when he was a baby!).

LiftyLift · 30/08/2022 10:08

My son is like this too, but thankfully he still sleeps at the same time even if he naps.

I would give an activity to do in the car. Something to keep him busy.

skgnome · 30/08/2022 10:16

I came to say, bedtime but giving him the option of a quiet activity
lights out and only a nigh light or small torch
he can do some drawing, listen to an audio book, read to his teddies
agree on activities that are acceptable in bed - so no jumping around
yes my DD had a full array of dolls, books and pencils on her bed for… years really
it will take him time, he will still come out to say he’s bored, wants to do something else, needs something else
treat as a young toddler, yes do pay attention, if he really needs something help, otherwise just remind him it’s bed time, quick cuddle and back in his room - he’ll eventually get used to the idea
don’t force sleep, just quiet time in his own bed

Ihaveoflate · 30/08/2022 14:58

This is why I tend to stick to public transport in the afternoon. Bus and train trips are too exciting for sleep, and I can keep her engaged. I know it sounds like an extreme measure, but I value my evenings!

Snowpaw · 30/08/2022 19:14

That sounds really hard. One thing I have found is air conditioning on coldest setting works quite well for keeping my daughter awake. That, or a snack. And if she does fall asleep on a car journey when we get home I play very energetic games in the garden for an hour or so in an attempt to wear out!

I agree with others that she should still be put into her own room at bedtime but with an activity to do if she doesn't want to sleep straight away. My DC likes looking through photo albums of the family at night if she isn't tired, or doing some scribbling on the magna-doodle. You could keep some "special" toys that only come out at bedtime, that she really likes for nights like this, to keep her occupied.

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