We've been going through a bit of a transition phase with both children's sleeping schedules. Ben is right in the middle of sometimes dropping his morning nap and Abby sometimes does not take any nap at all. It's a bit difficult with Ben, as I never know from day-to-day if he'll need that morning nap or not (I base the morning nap on if he's extremely fussy and having too many meltdowns :). When he doesn't take it, it actually works nicer with Abby's schedule because then they go down for the same time for an afternoon nap instead of Ben's afternoon nap being later. He also will usually sleep for about 2.5-3 hours in the afternoon if he skips his morning nap which is also nice. The downside is that we don't get a break from Ben in the morning. Up until this point, I would usually wait to take my shower until Ben went down for his morning nap and Abby would spend the time working on what we call her "schoolwork" (Starfall.com - if you haven't checked it out, you need to! It's a great, free website that teaches kids about letters and reading in a similar way to Hooked on Phonics).
As for Abby's napping, I still require her be in her bed for 1.5-2 hours every afternoon, but lately the days when she actually falls asleep are becoming fewer than those she stays awake. The upside is that she is falling to sleep easier at night, but the downside is that she tends to sing, talk and fidget if she's awake and this sometimes will wake Ben up early from his nap. For now, I plan on her having rest time for several more years, as even just having that quiet time helps her attitude and I need to have my own quiet time sans kiddos every day. What about you? Do you require your children to have rest time even when they are beyond needing naps? How do you work it out if your child shares a room with another child?
5 comments:
It's hard when kids get to the point when they only need one nap. They're grumpy in the morning, but it's worth it to get those 3 hours in the afternoon! At least it was for me. My kids were about Ben's age when they dropped the morning nap. I still have Jace spend an hour in his room in the afternoon. He can read books, play quietly or rest. When Emma is home, I have her do the same. It's good for them as well as for me! As far as kids sharing a room, I haven't had to deal with that. Is their another room Abby could go for her rest time?
We have the same things going on at our house. Coleson still has to take a nap (or rest) but it is nice that on days it doesnt work for some reason he actually can survive! LOL But he still has to lie down. Often right now that is with me in my bed. Sometimes we will just watch a movie on the couch together but he has to lie down. Tate is doing the same thing as Ben and it just really depends on when he wakes up in the morning. If he sleeps more towards 8am then he can wait till 11/11:30 for a nap or even eat lunch then and nap after and nap for 3-4 hours! That is heavenly! But some other days, like today, he needed the nap in the morning. It is also when I shower :) but if that doesnt happen then I give him a snack in the highchair and shower then. I think a break-rest time-nap whatever is so needed and good for both mom and child and I dont see a reason to end that! Even if it's for reading quietly. I do not have them nap in the same room as they tend to sleep a different length of hours, so I usually seperate them. Since I am feeling so icky these days living day to day and just being home works....imagine adding #3 into the mix! Yippee! :) LOL
Katelyn has not napped in almost a year. She stopped napping far too early because, really, she still needs a nap! If she's in the car in the afternoon, she's out like a light and is typically much more cheerful after a bit of a snooze. :) I did try the "quiet time" thing while I was pregnant with Jackson because I just had to have a break. Some days it worked well, but other days it did not. Something always came up that she "needed", and I found myself getting frustrated after the 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. time she'd come down the stairs, so it wasn't worth it. She hates being by herself and just loves being around me, so I haven't felt like I should force it.
Anyway, you should definitely keep the quiet time, though. Just stick with the routine and hopefully the quiet time will replace the nap with no problem! :)
My kids both stopped napping at about 2 1/2. With Ayla I did try the forced quite time thing, but then she would fall asleep and that was actually a bad thing for her. She would then be up until 11 at night or at 5 the next morning. I actually had to KEEP her awake so she would sleep well and long enough at night.
My kids do share a room, but I always separated them at nap time. One in my room, one in their room. Another friend of mine does the same thing. It is all about figuring out what works for you and your kiddos!
The transitions are always hard!
My girls share a room, but do not nap together (ever). They are 3 years apart. Both still have a 2 hour rest time from 1-3. With Emma (6), she has to stay in her room and play quietly. We have a list of all sorts of privileges that she loses if she disobeys and gets up early or makes excuses to disrupt me. She reads and sings and plays. We both need the alone time.
Mandy still needs a nap, but I wake her up after 2 hours or she doesn't go to sleep at night. She is in an awkward transition phase too and is SUCH a grump after her naps. Yet, as I type this it is 9:30pm and she is still up in her room singing.
As for Rem, he still has 2 naps, but can make it without the morning one.
All I can think is that THIS TOO SHALL PASS! And it is on the next phase.
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