Scheduling Two Kids' Naptimes???

I would try to move forward the 3 year old naps, then move up the 8 mos old naps. Some how get them on the same schedule. it might take a bit of work, but it will be better in the long run. I have 3 little ones that all sleep at the same time!! 8 mos old, 2 year old, and 3 year old! noon is my favorite time!

I have a 20 month old, and a 5 year old.

My 20 month old naps at 9:30 in the morning for 2 hours, and then in the afternoon after my daughter comes home from school. They both have the SAME afternoon nap time, and it is when my girl comes home from school. This is how it is during the weekdays. They will both nap in the afternoon at the same time... for 2 hours.

I think a 3 year old is fine with one nap. If she's napping still at her age, that is great! No sense stir that pot. Is it possible for your eldest child to nap perhaps, in the afternoon, when your baby has her afternoon nap? That may be one solution.

On the weekends, my daughter has a "nap" hiatus, and I let her take a break from it. But yes, when you have 2 children of varying ages... napping and what not is a juggle.

Your 8 month old seems to nap well and regularly (is she still doing 2 naps a day, morning and afternoon?)... If it were me, I would keep her on that routine. Sometimes interfering with it can get them out of whack. And babies need to nap...it is important in their development.

It all depends on if you want to "chance" it, and abrupt one child's nap consistency, or taking away a nap for one of them, (which is probably not the best). Some kids do not "change" sleep habits too well & some will just go with the flow. But, it's up to you.

Hmm... I don't know what I would do. Well, actually, for me, my 20 month old takes his morning naps, then I spend time with my daughter, then he wakes, and then we ALL get to do something. Then, in the afternoon, they both nap at the same time. So then that's my "mommy time." I've just gotten used to that... I just go according to their naps. And schedule myself according to that. My kids, don't nap well anywhere else...thus, I need to be home for them to nap. Which I don't mind. But that' just me.

There must be a window of time, in which both of them are awake at the same time? And perhaps at this time you can do things all together?

I know, it's not always easy. You are lucky that your kids DO nap. Many don't or it's a struggle. Sorry I don't have a concrete "answer", just sharing what I do. I know every situation is different.

Good luck,
Susan

Wow, I would be worrying about not getting enough sleep and you are looking to play, you are an awesome mom!

If I were you, I would stick it out and play with them one at a time. This will be over way too soon.

I would look and see what time works for both and put them both down at the same time-it can be done. I have a 21/2 yr old and a 15 month old who both nap and sleep at the same times. My 15 month old still naps in the am from 9-10 am then they both nap 1;30-3;30pm everyday and the 15 month goes to bed at 7:30 pm and the 21/2 yr old goes at 8:30pm-no problems or questions asked. L.

Obviously not every day is going to be perfect, but you can generally change an 8 mos old's schedule gradually over a period of a week by putting her down 10 - 15 minutes earlier a day. You might take a look at when you feed her vs when you put her down as well.

i have a 2.5YO DS and a 8.5MO DD. My DD takes a morning nap at 9am-10:30am and then they both go down for a afternoon nap around 1:30 or 2pm till about 4 or 4:30. I have NEVER been strict on naps but for the most part i try and make sure they get their afternoon nap. If my DD doesn't get her morning nap cause we are out and about then usually she will sleep in her car seat for a little cat-nap. When i first had her my son would nap between 11 or 12pm. This was hard cause she would nap around 9 then him at 11 then her at 2. I felt like i was home bound and changed that slowly. It took just a few weeks to get it perfected i would say. They are now on the same schedule. I really kept her naps the same and would keep my DS up later and later each day. Now i could'nt even get him to take a nap early. it worked out great!
Good Luck! You can do it:) it's worth it!

Hi S., the solution to your problem is put them down at the same time, and you deternmine how long nap time is, and you don't let them up until that time, I am a Home Day Care Provider and I put 5 kids down all at the same time, the babies when I have then I start traning them around 8, 9 months old to go down the same time the other kids do. Their nap time is from 12:00 to 2:00/ 3:00 this is my only break/rest time from 6:30 or earlier to about 7:30 at night. One thing my kids have learned that just because you woke up doesn't mean nap time is over. Plan outings in the mornings so by nap time they are good and tired, during thir nap time, you can get your house work done, as I sometimes do, then after nap time, it can been reading time, outside time, etc, you just have to organize the day, I have been doing this for 11 years, it works. If you have any more questions fill free to e-mail nme back. also if you organize your day, you'll see you have more time to do the things you want to do. J. Mom for 24 years.

Hi S.,

I have a 2-1/2 year old and a 10 month old, and they pretty much just take turns napping from about 10:30am until dinnertime. I've learned that, at least with my kids, when I try to mess with their sleep, it backfires and I get crankiness and tantrums. I usually just try to get out early in the day if I want to do an outing for both of them, then the baby usually falls asleep in her stroller when she's ready or in her carseat on the way home.

I've come to see the afternoons as a chance to spend one-on-one time with each of my kids while the other is napping. On very rare occasions their naps may overlap, and that in my book is a vacation! :)