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Parenting

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Original poster

Naps at 2- help and or support please...

13 replies

mathsmummy27 · 02/08/2008 18:30

DD is 2 and 1/2 and has always been stubborn about sleeping. Got into a great routine where she sleeps beautifully at night and for up to two hours at lunchtime, but recently she has been refusing to sleep. If she does sleep, it is for at least one and 1/2 hours - and if she doesn't, she is grumpy and difficult until bedtime, which leads me to believe she still needs naps. I am just pregnant with number two and desperately need nap time myself. Recently we have let her fuss (always have done in the past, with great success) but today she cried, sang, screamed, played and shouted for 4 hours...help!

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nell12 · 02/08/2008 18:35

Oh dear, I hate to say it, but you have entered the twilight zone of the end of nap time... and at a really bad point for you, poor thing.

Will dd stay in her room and listen to a story cd?

When my dcs hit this stage, I instigated quiet time during the early afternoon; we would snuggle up on the sofa and watch a movie or read stories. That way they were getting a bit of a re-charge.

Chaotica · 02/08/2008 18:35

We have similar problems with DD (2.3) but I wouldn't leave her for 4 hours.

We just decide that on some days the nap ain't happening and bring her back downstairs (in fact, that is often the way to get her to nap: we go upstairs for some milk and a story and she can 'have a sleep if she's tired and if she isn't she can read another book then come downstairs again' - she rarely screams about it and often naps (or plays happily). I know what you mean about the non-nap days though - if there's no nap, DP and I just warn each other at the first opportunity .

denbury · 02/08/2008 18:37

lucky you that she still sleeps for that long during the day!!! when i was expecting number 2 number 1 didn't have day time naps but was happy watching bob the builder and thomas the tank engine. these lasted for about 30-45 mins and i felt better stitting and doing nothing for this time and sometimes even shut my eyes!!

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Chaotica · 02/08/2008 18:57

...And then we hide!

wornoutwaitress · 02/08/2008 19:30

can you tell her it is ok if she doesn't want to go to sleep but she has to have quiet time instead curled up on the sofa looking at books/watching tv or something?

Original poster

mathsmummy27 · 02/08/2008 20:04

I could, but she's not the kind of child to crash or even sit still for very long at all - hence the enforced naps really. I've always been strict because she will never admit to being tired or slow down for herself. If I were to give her some choice, wouldn't she just choose not to nap?
Forgot to add have also tried carrot/stick but doesnt seem to work consistently.

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mathsmummy27 · 03/08/2008 10:49

Have been worried all night. I think I'm just taking it too seriously - if she naps, fine, if not, stop being a control freak....
Thanks everyone

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mamadiva · 03/08/2008 10:56

I'm having te exact same problem with my 2YO at the mo in fact I just posted a thread as was losing my mind but after nearly 2.5 hours of screaming, singing, laughing, giggling and shouting he has finally gone to sleep.

Weegle · 03/08/2008 11:26

DS is 2.2 and we seem to be in the twilight zone of daytime naps, for the last 3 weeks he hasn't slept every day. I just stick to his routine, take him for a nap as usual, and leave him to it. If he naps, great, if he doesn't I'm adamant I still get my recharge time. Not sure how long it will work for. I only leave him 1-1.5 hours though, and would go to him sooner if he was losing it. I need the quiet time to rest myself (have arthritis) and so I'm determined that even when the nap has gone for good he will still have quiet time in his room after lunch when I can rest myself, maybe I am fooling myself?!

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mathsmummy27 · 03/08/2008 20:24

Thanks so much for support everyone

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reban · 03/08/2008 20:29

Have you tried having your lie down with your dd. Use it as special time together, maybe snuggle up on your bed, then you both get a rest?

CantSleepWontSleep · 03/08/2008 20:41

Lucky you that she's carried on sleeping during the day for this long! Dd is 2.5 and mostly dropped her nap a few months ago. The grumpy late afternoon is very familiar in this household, and we still suffer from it because she mostly doesn't sleep long enough at night to avoid it. You'll probably find that she will want to sleep a few days a week, but not every day for a while. Dd was more likely to nod off in the car if we could arrange to be in it around lunch. She's also not someone who ever does quiet time or amusing herself, but we've learned to (reluctantly) accept that. It is hard work, esp as I'm now 7 months pregnant and the long summer holidays are here with none of our usual activities running. Sympathies.

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mathsmummy27 · 04/08/2008 21:25

Thanks CantSleep. Have spent last few days doing fun activities, didn't make it home for nap time and didnt care but luckily DH let me sleep as soon as I got home as was cream-crackered. 7 months you must be so excited (but yes, very tired..)

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