My son will be on Sat. He is going through a phase where he plays in his crib FOREVER at naptime... to the point where when he finally falls asleep it is 3:00 or later, and I hate to let him sleep much past 4:00 or 4:30 because then bedtime comes too soon (he goes to bed at 7:30).
We have a very established nap and bedtime routine, and have had some struggles at bedtime, but this naptime goofy behavior is new. He goes totally nutty from over tiredness, and seems to be having the best time up there, but I worry about him not getting a good nap since I wake him before he is ready to get up.
I am looking for suggestions. Will this phase last long? Anyone have great ideas for getting him to skip the pre-nap play marathon?
Thanks!
J.
I have 2 year old twins that like to do the same thing. It always helps to play outside. If they get lots of fresh air and burn off that energy, it will help tremendously. I run a daycare in my home. We try to go outside every day. We have lunch at noon, change diapers, read stories and its naptime. If you establish a routine as well, it will make things run much smoother. Good luck!
Well... My son isn't 2 but he is 13 months and durning his second nap he likes to play in his pack-n-play, I usally just let him play and then when he falls asleep after awhile. Have you tryed laying him down a little earlier and then it is possible that he will play himself out a little earlier. I do this for my son sometimes and it usally works I've never had to wake him up from his nap, but then again im a night owl and I like having my son up with me until about 10. But its worth a try.
I would get on a diffrent routine then. First take him outside and really wear him out with play. Then come inside to eat lunch...then try to do some relaxing calming activites like nice warn bubbly baths, reading, ect. I would start making nap time earlier like 11am-Noon, then if he is not asleep in a hour after you laid him down then maybe he needs to lay down and watch a movie to have quiet time.
Just try to make sure you are doing the same thing everyday, so he knows the routine.
Oh wow. I could have written this! my son will be 2 in a week and a half and he is in his room right now...playing away. he doesn't fall asleep until 3:30 or so and then we have to wake him up and he is SO crabby.
I, unfortunately, don't have any advice, but am anxious to hear what other moms have to say.
Hang in there and know you aren't alone!
Take care,
J.
SAHM to Evan - 3 and Jack - almost 2
I run a small daycare and these are some of my tricks you could try reading a quiet book, soft music, warm milk, a favorite stuffed animal, obviousley no toys, or cartoons or a movie etc... or have him go outside and run around (fresh air and exercise will always tire them out)or play a game like duck duck goose in the house some thing to get his heart going, about an hour before nap. feed him lunch and nap time.
Ok so my son turned 2 in December and he starteed doing this at about 15 months. I just let him play then just made sure I woke him up at the usual time, and yes he was crabby but we always told him "well you should have gone night night when we said" and it took some time but even though he didn't fully know what we were saying we said it so matter of factly that he eventually caught on, because they catch on to "you" and "night night" and "we said" very quickly if your consistant.
He still plays instead of going to sleep at nap time but he is a little more apt to do what I say because he has begun to remember the not so fun part of not taking a nap (the crabbiness without the attention).
That is what worked for us, I use the same kind of thing with the school agers that I work with, it is just pointing out the consequences of their actions in order for them to make better choices for themselves.
Make sure he get's "outside" time everyday to burn off energy, get fresh air, and exercise. That should work like a charm.
If his morning routine is layed back, casual and easy going he's not pooped out enough to need a nap. They need to use their large gross motor skills and get worn out.
