2.9 year old naughty when tired.

[Fivefootoffun]

DD 2.9 doesn’t want to nap anymore, at least not at her usual
Time (11;30 ish).

If she does nap it’s generally quite a bit later (about 1) and this results in her being a nightmare to go down at night - not going to sleep
Until near 9. She’s then shattered the next day plus I don’t really want her up that late at that age.

Problem is - without a nap she gets so naughty in the afternoon and incredibly tetchy.

Any ideas on how best to manage this? I’m worried the challenging behaviour she exhibits when she’s tired is almost going to become the norm? I thought she would get used to no nap but she really doesn’t seem to be.

Same at home and at nursery.

Bump

We have the same, same age.

Only solution I've come up with is to put the tele on, which is rubbish.

Blatantly following for ideas!

How long are you letting her nap for?
Maybe wake her up after 30mins, so she gets enough to keep her going, but not enough to stop her going to sleep at bedtime?

@teenplustwenties We tried 25-30 minutes but that doesn’t seem to be enough. She only really appears rested as such after a good 45-60 minutes but with this amount it really affects bedtime..

@tumbleisatwat yes! It’s more if we want to do anything post lunch - I feel she’s liking a ticking time bomb - we used to always go out in the afternoon but these last few weeks it’s really not been worth it. We gave her an hour last week as we had a meal out planned in the afternoon. She was great all afternoon but that bed time she was a disaster - it’s not easy is it!

It won't last, this is a transition stage. Try a relaxation thing rather than a sleep. So, you aren't trying to get her to sleep, but you're having some down time. Just a chill for a bit.

And try not to think of it as naughtiness, it's just a response to being tired. Give her a cuddle, tell her you love her and, whatever you do, do not tell her she's tired! There's nothing more likely to provoke a full on shouting episode where the worlds tiredest toddler screams 'I AM NOT TIRED' 20 times.

@donpablo - thanks for this. Your right, how I think of it will affect how I react so il need to keep reminding myself! I’m scared incase she almost becomes used to acting like this/becomes the norm but I know I’m probably overthinking. When she’s good she’s so good but boy when she’s not we know about it! Really appreciate the advice, thank you.

Earlier bedtime and later get up?

@rolyrherhino - she seems to wake at the same time regardless though? 7:20am most days. On non nap days she’ll go down at 6:45 and straight off. Literally!

It's a hideous phase, and the easiest way to deal with it tends to be quiet time.
Sat on the sofa/in the buggy/wherever, for 1/2 an hour or so of tv. Nothing too exciting, but something that they like.
After however long, a snack, and normal service resumes.

I could have written this!
I think the behaviour will be bad for a while a few months. The thing I'm struggling with is (for the first time ever) DD is going to bed at 7:30 but waking at 3:30 thinking it's time to get up so I spend an hour or so settling her back down so Im losing sleep.
I really hope this transition is quick!

@abso - glad I’m not alone. 3:30 wake up is a nightmare - really hope it passes for both of us soon!