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Letting go of a golden part of babyhood: the nap
Categories: Toddlers, Development
My two year-old son, Devon, is developing and growing by leaps and bounds every single day. Most of the time I welcome the growth, it is such an honor to witness. But one of the changes I have long dreaded is finally here: the disappearance of the nap. Sigh. Devon's nap is often the time of day when I can catch my breath, get some work done, take a nap of my own or simply sit in the corner and rock back and forth as I dream of a happy place. For the past few weeks it has taken him longer and longer to fall asleep in the afternoons; and if I put him down beyond a certain time, he simply won't fall asleep. Needless to say, this change has brought my often disheveled life to a standstill. At first I was so stressed out about it that I would pace back and forth worrying what sort of damage I was inflicting upon him as he sat in his crib and alternately inquired, loudly, to my whereabouts or sang his songs. But then I realized his noise was not that of a child in pain or fear. It was just his everyday noise contained to the confines of his crib. It dawned on me that he was not hurt, wasn't hungry, not crying.
I am continuing to follow our nap routine of three books, several songs and the tuck-in ritual. I then leave the room. Sometimes he'll make noise for the better part of an hour while I putter about accomplishing my tasks. Other times he prattles on for about 30 minutes, at which point he'll nap for another 30 minutes. In either case, it is not the 90 minute respite I had before, but it is still a break. When did your little one toss aside the nap for other endeavors? How did you cope?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
alison 12-04-2006 @ 7:00PM
This entry was the first thing I read as I sat down to recuperate from a harrowing 1 hour+ naptime wrestle with my 2 year old. Things have suddenly taken a turn for the sleepless and your words have me terrified. We must have the nap. All things hinge on the nap. I will not let the nap go with out a fight. Note: all "harrowing" aspects are purely psychological and purely my own. My daughter thinks we're having a lovely playtime visit.
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Dana 12-04-2006 @ 9:53PM
My experience was much like yours, Heather. My son was always a great napper, going 2 1/2-3 hours most afternoons till he was about 3. Then he just stopped sleeping most naptimes--maybe once a week he'll actually catch some zees. He is, however, happy enough to be in his room, like your son. I think the downtime is good for him, a chance to rest and process what happened in the morning. He doesn't stay as long as he did when he slept--but like you, I'm glad for any break I can get.
How do I cope? Still working on that one. Part is to have him help me while I'm doing things around the house, so I can multitask housework and child amusement.
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Uly 12-05-2006 @ 12:56AM
My older niece has gone through several "napping strikes" in the past three years. The last one lasted several months, so it was quite a surprise to me when she started napping nearly every day again!
I eventually set on the rule of instituting "quiet time" - an hour every day, during her younger sister's nap, where she's in her room (on her bed if she looks especially tired), being *quiet*. She can play with a few toys, she can talk quietly, she can even nap! But she's in her room doing something calm and quiet regardless, nothing loud or active. If she wants me in there with her, fine. If she doesn't, fine. So long as she's there, doesn't matter to me.
And some days she naps. And some days she doesn't. I deal.
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Jill 12-05-2006 @ 8:21AM
I insist on "quiet time" for my 5yo still. I need the break from the kids and I'm no where near ready to give up their naptime. I think its a good experience to learn to entertain yourself. He can read, he can listen to a CD quietly, he can sleep. Usually about once a week he falls asleep.
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Jack 12-05-2006 @ 10:03AM
One bonus to giving up the nap: by the time it's bedtime, my kids are so tired that there's no struggle to going to bed.
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