How long are they vile for after dropping nap?

[QuiltedHippo]

DD is 2.5 and dropped her nap about a month ago, definitely not tired, even the car doesn't work. Nursery had often struggled with her nap, sometimes taking 3 of them taking it in turn for an hour to get her to sleep.

Bedtimes got lots easier after dropping it, but behaviour is challenging from like 4pm onwards. Dinner time not much fun! Otherwise she's pretty good for a toddler so we're OK with it.

However nursery have been saying she's really acting up, seems tired, not being like her normal self and have asked if I want them to reintroduce a nap. Which I don't really when it used to be such a struggle for them.

So how long does the adjustment take? Guessing the nursery days are more tiring if she's crabby earlier in the day with them.

They still need the same amount of sleep as when they napped but just in one block. Are you putting them to bed earlier? Normally it takes around 2 weeks to adjust.

Could you trial napping at nursery (if she will!) but not on days she's not there? And see if she's any happier/better behaved at nursery then? This may not work but just a suggestion. I have a few friends whose DC was still happily napping at nursery long after they'd stopped doing it on non-nursery days. I think nursery is extra tiring for them tbh so much stimulation and they have to keep 'on' with their social skills the whole time in a way they don't when not there.

Hmm definitely been more than 2 weeks, yes getting more nighttime sleep. Lovely 7pm bedtimes instead of drawn out 8.30pm ones

DD9 was vile for a day or so. She was 2y3m when she stopped napping, never has since unless unwell! She was fine with it though, just sat quietly and watched TV or read books for a bit during what used to be nap time.

DS5 however was vile for bloody months. He was 20mo when he tried to stop napping - in March 2020. Great timing, there! He still had a little sleep some days and was then in a good mood, but he'd be up until 10pm. On the days he didn't sleep he'd be out like a light at 7:30pm precisely but absolutely hideous from about 3pm onwards... He was about 2.5 before he got the hang of it properly, so it was a long slog.

I don't think I'd reintroduce the nap at nursery, though. It does end eventually!

Our DD started dropping a nap around that time. However, at nursery they still managed to give her a nap every now and then, until almost 3.5 years old. Tell them if she acts like she's tired, give her a nap, but limit it to 1h..., and don't let her nap past 2pm.