What to Do When My Kids Won't Nap Anymore

T.~

I also stay at home. I do in-home daycare, and take care of 7 kids ages 10mos-4yrs. From 1pm to about 3pm EVERYDAY, is MY time. We have, what I call, "QUIET TIME". The 3 younger kids nap in their pack-n-plays, while the 4 older kids lay on the couch and watch a movie. Some days, like today they all nap. However, some days 1 or 2 kids won't nap. It's still "QUIET TIME", they don't have to nap, but they need to be quiet and watch the movie or read books, color or anything QUIET. If they don't find something quiet, they won't get a snack. My daughters are 4 and 5, and they don't always take naps. It is tough, becasue we moms need our time too. My advice would be to make sure they now it is quiet time. Make it an actual part of the day, like "lunch time", "snack time", "bed time", "bath time" and now "QUIET TIME". My kids get excited about quiet time. Before quiet time is clean up time, and who ever cleans up the best gets to pick the movie. Give them incentives, if they are quiet during "quiet time", they get to pick their own snack. Good Luck! I hope you get "your time" back.

~J.

I'm betting they have cabin fever and aren't taking a nap because they've got an over abundance of energy to burn.

I worked at a inhome daycare a few years back and this happened every winter. The kids all ages got horrible with nap time so we made it a must they had to burn off their energy before lunch time. Rain or Shine they went outside unless it was dangerous conditions then we had them do large muscle activities in the basement and got them very wound up. Fed them lunch, did story time and bamn they all took a nice nap. If we didn't have them burn their energy nap time was a disaster and they would all wake up and toss and turn.

HI
They just need to know that nap time is nap time. If they share a room, then one can lay on momma's bed, however, turn on classical music or lullabys. They will eventually close those eyes. Also, no tv one hour before naptime. To much light in those eyes and minds keep them spinning and cant relax. Read one story and say, "See you at snack time". Even an hour is a good amount of time, however, 12p-2p would be great to get alot of time for momma. And bedtime at 730-8pm. You might as well get them ready for school hours. In kindergarten, they lay down after lunch for up to 20 min so they don't go into the deep REM. And please not give them a tv in their room at naptime or bedtime. They need their precious sleeptime to grow and stay healthy.

I'm a Stay at home mom of 3 girls. I also do in home daycare. What I found with my kids and daycare kids is that nap/quiet time is for everyone. The older kids either get to lay down and watch a movie or do something quiet while the others naps. I try to get the 3-4 year old to nap at least twice a week. I know my 4 year old doesn't need a nap every day,but try every other day that might work. I know that really works with her. Put up a fun schedule one day to nap and the other quiet time. That might make it fun for everyone. Good luck!

L. :0)

My Daughter did the same thing to me when she turned 3. I just gave up and tried to find her a quit out of the way thing for her to do. I stressed to her she had to do this for a certian amount of time (which I used a kitchen timer) so I could get some things done.
The kitchen timer is still working for me now with her and my 2 year old son too. They understand when it goes off it is ok to get up and start a new thing.

Hope this helps.

My kids stopped taking naps when they were 2 1/2 so feel lucky! :o) I am also a SAHM so time alone is precious. I do give them "quiet time" each day in their rooms. Most of the time they will read books or play quietly. I found a book/CD that the youngest would follow along with and that kept her occupied if she wasn't tired. It also helps to do it after lunch when most kids/people feel tired anyway. Good luck!

I have started something called "quiet time". My kids are to go to their room and play quietly (not with eachother)they can read, sleep, play school, play Legos whatever. But they have to be up there for one hour. I set an egg timer outside the door and tell them they can come down when it goes off. I usually offer some sort of reward or treat if they are quiet and good, like a cookie or something. I explain that it's a time out for mommy and rest time for them. I have to be strict about making sure they know you mean it when you say what's expected so it might not go well for the first time or two, but now mine gather up their toys or whatever and march up the stairs no problem. Sometimes they even ask to sleep instead!!!

Get a mother's helper. Girls in the 10-12 range would love to come over after school and help with the girls while you have alone time.

I usually try and do some type of activity with my younger kids before their nap time. I do yoga and my 5yr old does this with me. Even my 17mth old tries to get in on it. This usually wears them out and they take a nap afterwards while i shower. This may not do much for alone time but any activity with your child is good for both you and them.