Naps/attending birthday party WWYD?

[Liverpoolgirl50]

So our 18 month old is finally down to 1 nap, 11-1, hoping to push her to 12-2 over the next month or so.

I’ve just had the invite to SIL DC’s birthday party which is literally happening 12-2.. so what do I do? Put her down super early like 10 and try and survive til bedtime, put her down at 11 and wake her up early, risking her being an absolute monster or take an overtired toddler to an overstimulating party and then having a late bedtime 😂

I know I’m overthinking this but she’s high needs and a little monkey at the best of times... DH can’t go as he’s working so I’d have to manage it alone, and not going isn’t an option.

Honestly think I’ll rejoice when napping days are over…

Or just don’t go. My DD cannot be placated when she is tired, and bless her, she just so desperately wants to go to sleep. It feels cruel to prevent it, so I stick to the schedule as best as I can. It means leaving early, or not attending, but it’s just a short few years of our lives overall.

Put her down early and the party might tire her out and she'll have another little nap later.

Or arrive a bit late to the party to let her nap on a bit.

Are you driving you could let her sleep in the car and park up somewhere the way there?

Just go, take a buggy, if she sleeps through it so be it

Early nap and wake her. There's a chance she'll be tired out after and fall asleep on the way home too.

I always think children's parties at this age are silly times. Most children are still napping so have to sacrifice that, and then they have a meal at s silly time too.

I would wake an hour early in morning, then put down an hour early for nap so if you normally wake at 7am, nap at 11am I would wake at 6am then down for nap at 10am then she’ll get 1.5-2hrs (you might have to let her nap in car and park up close by so you arrive on time.

You might find she does absolutely fine, some toddlers are very flexible with nap lengths/timings as the get a bit older. I think DS was having an occasional no nap day with an early bedtime by 18-19months so just try it and see.

Give it a miss, neither kid will ever be any the wiser.

I mean, what I'd do is just go and not worry about it - but then I take a very blasé attitude to naps, especially now I have 3 dc. But if she must go down at 11, put her down then, wake up at 12.30; you'll be at the party for 1pm and enjoy the last hour. Job done. Assuming the party is less than half an hour away!

Thanks all - will put her down early and hope for a little car snooze on the way home! I so desperately want to be flexible with a idgaf attitude about naps but if the girl hasn’t slept she really turns into a gremlin and it just isn’t fun for anyone 😂 maybe one day..

I would have probably given mine a short nap in the morning before leaving then hope for a quick car/buggy nap on the way back.