Dear Blog Readers,
I am hoping you can help. Reese is 3 1/2 and he is no longer taking a nap. We still go through the routine--read three books, go empty the bladder, lay down with LuLu and a couple of books... and then he proceeds to get up and get more books, many more books (did I mention a gazillion more books???) and eventually ends up waking up his brother by turning pages loudly, dropping finished books on the floor, going to the bathroom, etc. I get irritated (hardly ever do that, but at these times I do) and then I don't know what to do--end Reese's nap time? I desperately look forward to my boys' nap time and I NEED their nap time. I kind of thought they'd nap until they were 18... maybe not. On that thread... when does a mom get a little down time when she has a non-napper? I've thought about quiet time downstairs with me, but then I still have to be ON (and have to keep telling someone to be quiet and lay down, or stay put or whatever).
Hopefully you all are more knowledgeable on this than I am and can fill me in...
Sincerely,
A Mom Needing Selfish Me Time
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
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12 comments:
I don't have any pearls of wisdom, but I sympathize! My kids napped until they were 4 and 1/2 or so, so having a kid who gives up his nap early must certainly be distressing, for sure! Unfortunately, when they're ready to give it up, there's really not a whole lot you can do.
One consolation is that when they give up their naps, you can get away with putting them to bed a little earlier, so you get that time back in the evenings. Another idea is to see if there is a playgroup or something that he can go to while the other kids nap -- that way, Mom gets her down time, Reese gets a little social interaction, and the other kids get their peace and quiet for their naps! Just a thought . . .
Hugs to you from Karen, Alicia's friend!
have 3.5 year old girl, we.must.talk. Going.through.the.S A M E thing. Sometimes I let them just have at it and play quietly, but then I pay for the mess and the case of bad nerves later. LOL.....hang in there....just one of these things we moms go through.
PS....yes, put him to bed E A R L Y! It works for us, most times~! (just don't tell him he is going down early....) *wink, wink*
p.s. Oh, and one more word of advice -- don't ever feel guilty about needing time for yourself! You're not being selfish; you are being sensible. A saying that is so appropriate: "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" In other words, a happy mom means happy kids.
when nelson was about 3 and wouldn't take a nap, i made him lay on the sofa or bed and listen to story tapes. the kind that don't have a book to go with them and that are long! think trumpet of the swans, stuart little, charlotte's web, etc.
he wasn't allowed to get up and 9 out of 10, fell asleep listening! since your sofa is where YOU are, he may need a special napping place in the corner of your room. then if he gets up to pee or move around, you won't even know it! good luck!
OOPS!!!
LIE on the sofa.
McKenzie sometimes at 4 1/2 doesn't take a nap....well maybe most of the time. She still has to go to her room and we do the "naptime" routine with reading the book, etc. She has to stay in there until I have had my rest or finished doing what I was doing. She still comes out to say she doesn't want to sleep so I tell her just have some quiet time by yourself in your room until I come get her. She doesn't like it all the time but most of the time she is fine with it. It works out to be an hour or so....sometimes more. We do tell her she is going to bed early that night though and that seems to help calm the no nap complaining quite a bit. It is an individual thing too. I can see how it would be hard to have Carsten in the same room during nap with Reese though. Not sure what advice to do about that. Hope it works out for you and NO you are never selfish. Moms need their "sanity time" or else the day just goes downhill. :)
Hmm - I have the same issue also - Alexa won't nap anymore. The quiet time method is the one I have heard. Just try to keep him on the bed with books or whatever for a set amount of time. Would you be able to put Lane in with Carsten and have Reese have naps in the guest room? I wish I knew the answer since the only thing I know to do with Alexa is put the child-proof door knob thing on the inside of her room so she has to stay in there for a while. This is probably cruel parenting behavior, but sometimes it is the lesser of two evils. If the mom is too tired to think clearly, she will eventually make a bad parenting decision. I read the other day that this parenting thing gets easier after the first 18 years. Maybe we can get a two for one deal at the loony bin?
HI - I WISH I KNEW WHAT TO DO. LOGAN NEVER TAKES NAPS. NOT EVEN WHEN HE WAS A BABY AND HE NEVER SLEPT THRU THE NIGHT UNTIL HE TURNED 2. WE HAVE QUIET TIME WHERE HE LAYS ON THE FLOOR AND WATHCHES A CARTOON AND THEN HE IS GOOD TO GO AGAIN AND IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO LAY ON THE SOFA AND RELAX A LITTLE ON MY DAYS OFF. :)
LOVE,
TERESA
Looks like you have lots of good suggestions to choose from! As I have no experience there yet I'll put forth a couple shots in the dark-- how about limiting it to 5 books, MUST not wake Carsten or pay consequence, and must stay in bed until you come? I like Wendy's listening idea! Here's hoping we don't follow suit...
Great topic. Alyssa started doing the don't wanna nap thing, or only sleeping for one hour about a month or so ago. I found that on non school days if I put her down an hour or so later she would nap. She just wasn't getting tired enough at home with us. Try playing him out before nap time. If that doesn't work, do like sugested above by others, give him his own quiet area (blanket on the ground in a corner if no extra rooms)to read,listen, be quiet. WE all need quiet time, even mommy! Best of luck! Hope this made sense.
Hi there Dana! It was great to hear from you! I just made my blog-not sure how everyone found out about it so fast! LoL News sure does travel! I tried once to add you on myspace but guess you did not recognize me there.
Not sure if you already have this nap thing figured out but one thing I learned in all my years as a nanny-if you have room in your house for it-we had a play room with all the kids I watched-no toys or books etc in their bedroom. This way they learn that the bedroom is for one thing-sleeping. Playroom is for reading playing etc. Anyway-I hope you guys are doing great!
Bobbi
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