Daughter Won't Stay in Toddler Bed for Nap

Hi S., I have 2 kids, my daughter was a breeze-it's now that I have to seek parenting advice for her. However, my son...we called him the "terrible one"; he never waited to turn two, and go through tantrums, he did it immediately after birth. He is now 5 years old, and I still have moments! I read some of the other responses and a combination of most is what worked for me....
1. I cut out day time naps...instead I had quiet time activity (coloring, stories, etc). On the occasions, when I knew a nap was what my son needed, I laid down with him, and picked a movie that he liked, but wouldn't care about staying up to see (cause he'd seen it a million times already), then waited. The good thing was 9 out of 10 times we both slept...it was great!
2. 5 Second Rule. I changed bed time from 8:30 (which worked better when he was an infant) to 8:00 pm-the clock in his room is set faster so he really goes down at 7:45. (DON'T STAY IN THE ROOM-trust her to do the right thing, and work with her while she adjusts. Staying in the room says I want some company, so she stays up to keep Mommy company) Those 15 minutes, I don't stress out about the 20 excuses for not staying in bed (bathroom , water, hug, kiss, homework!). However, once 8:15 (his time) came, lights went off, blanket went up, and the 5 second rule started (if he got out, I gave him 5 seconds to get back in-or else...-count backwards from 5 to 1) You can use the countdown when your child is finished using the potty, and starts lingering in the hallways, etc....now they're playing.
3. Reward system. If he went to bed when asked, stayed in bed, then slept in his bed all night, we could do an activity he liked the next day. If he didn't, he lost an activity; but could get it back if he took a nap...either way, I feel like I get what I want.
4. Consistency. The hardest thing for me was tuning out the cries that came, when he did'nt get his way. The easiest thing was hugging myself once I did. If you don't remain consistent in whatever plan you choose, your daughter is going to walk all over you. Remember, you have a new baby coming (tantrums, are going to increase 10 fold); you have less than 3 months before that baby is going start mimicking what big sister does for attention in little ways, then exactly the same...You have to be prepared to show them both that you're the boss, and hide in the bathroom while tough love does it's magic.

5. Tough love. It doesn't mean no love, but the opposite, love them more (you just saved a lot of money on toys, candy, ice cream, and all the other stuff our kids make us by to avoid embarrassment). Don't forget, they are not embarrassing you, they are embarrassing themselves. If you start mimicking them, they would stop and look at you like you were crazy! I do it all the time, and the one thing I love is at first, my kids got mad at me for making fun of them, then they cracked up laughing...now they don't even bother, cause they KNOW I do not care what the mom in the corner is saying.
But, those same Moms are giving me a high five deep down, cause I didn't scream, yell, or hit...and my kids were laughing in the end.

Good Luck, and keep us posted.

What helped my son stay in bed for nap is to make sure he was really tired and I also got blackout curtains for his windows. It makes the room really dark so he thinks it's night time. You will need a night light for night time or pull back the curtains a little at night to let light in from the street because it does get really dark. Another suggestion is that maybe she lies down with you and has soem quiet/rest time whilw you rest. I work full time and am also pregnant(2 more months to go) and I need a nap too. Some days my son ends up snuggled up to me and we both nap at the same time.

this could be her way of giving up her nap.. it happened to me. my daughter went into the bed no problem, but she refused to nap anymore after that.. try skipping her nap and if she's grumpy during the day, put her to bed a little earlier and see if that helps.. good luck!

Be persistant. I'm a huge fan of suppernanny! I know that sounds cheesey, but her solution is to put the child in the bed and when the child gets out of bed put the child back into the bed immediately. And at the same time don't talk to the child at all or even look at her. Because if you do that then you'll only encourage her to talk to you thus her not taking a nap. Eventually, your child will not hae problems going to bed. I know it sounds silly, but I've seen many episodes of it being done! Good luck! I hope something works! :)

i feel your frustration...by the time my daughter(will be 4 in feb) was 1 she was climbing out of her crib....by two unfortunately some kids give up nap time....i was taking 45 mins or longer to get her to sleep for nap....i had to give up cause by that she was sleeping late enough that bed time was becoming a problem. I had to settle for no naps in the afternoon and an earlier bedtime at night. We we're both better off for it.

good luck!
S.

hi!
i feel your frustration. hear is what my pediatrician told me about toddler beds. the goal is for them to sleep in their room. put her down in her bed the way you normally do, close the door, and if she falls alsleep on the floor so be it. it's an adjustment for her.

J.

hi i had this same problum with my son. what i happend to do was to put him back into the crib when he took and nap and then for bed time he slept in his "big boy bed" then after a while he started to sleep in his "big boy bed " for naps also. give it a try.
C.

WoW you gave her freedom to get in and out of bed... I know you thinking maybe it wasn't such a good idea. continue to be persistant about it. Telling a 2 year old it's time to be a big girl is a big job especially with a baby on the way. Keep riminding her she's a big girl and when it's time for nap she has to nap. Try giving her a teddy bear to nap with and play pretend with the teddy also setting the teddy for nap time. kids are really big on pretend. My 3yr old grew up pretty fast when his younger brother came into the picture. I think you're little big girl will get into routine. It will just take time. Have Daddy have a talk with her, this lets her know that you guys are on the same page, and praise her when she does lie down for a nap.