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My toddler will nap for everyone but me

3 replies

Changelingbutonlyforme · 23/12/2021 15:10

Why won’t my 2year old nap for me? During the week she naps fine at nursery, usually for an hour, sometimes 2. At weekends her dad puts him down for a nap which is usually successful within about 10 minutes. Nursery is closed this week so she’s home with me. And she won’t nap. I spent 3 hours trying this afternoon. Lying down next to her doesn’t work. She just wants to play. Putting her back in her bed every time she gets up results in furious tears but no sleep after half-a-fucking-hour. Telling her it’s time for sleep and closing the door to her room and telling her to go back to bed everytime she comes out results in her playing quietly in her room but no sleep.
Why? Why won’t she nap for me? What the fuck am I doing wrong? I feel like the worst mother in the world. I do think she needs the sleep. Yesterday she had a 2.5 hour nap after my husband put her to bed (working from home yesterday).

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
sadmad · 23/12/2021 21:25

My 2y3m daughter has been resisting lots recently. Have been tricking her into it by insisting that she doesn't need to sleep but needs to lie down in her bed and she can play with teddies or read books while mummy has a nap. Every single time she's out like a light within 5 mins. Seems to be more of a power struggle thing, she won't be told to go to bed but definitely needs the sleep still but as long as she feels like she's not being forced then it's fine.

ViceLikeBlip · 23/12/2021 21:31

Totally standard. I also tell my little one that we're lying down for 5 minutes so I can have a nap, but she DEFINITELY doesn't need to go to sleep, just lie down and shut her eyes for FIVE minutes..... Rarely takes the full 5 mins tbh. (I lie down on the floor next to her cot. And sometimes I fall asleep before she does- double win!)

Changelingbutonlyforme · 24/12/2021 09:20

Thanks for the advice and solidarity. I’ll try out the ´just lie down and have a rest, you don’t have to sleep’ technique.

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