3yo not napping-help!

3yo dcb just came back from 3 days with dad. Dad "doesn't believe in routine/structure" according to mom which is why he is with me now (parents are seperated, dad was primary caregiver. 3 yo won't take his nap. Getting out of cot (I put him back in), we made a little progress last wk but not really. First and second day he napped a little, mainly because he wasn't used to all the activity and he was honey mooning.

He is screaming right now on the floor next to his cot (he flipped the cot over) I righted the cot but am leaving him on the floor for right now so he can wear himself out.

I really don't know what to do anymore. My daughters are now both in their rooms as he is so disruptive to everyone.

He finds the playroom too dark but giving him more sunlight didn't make him feel safer. We just had a hug and he said he misses his parents.We talked about how different everything is here etc and when mom will come and get him. I can't leave him for obvious reasons, starts running around playroom in the dark.

Well, you are likely going to have a continuous problem if parents are not on the same page, unfortunately. If he does not nap at home and is only with you part-time, you MAY be able to get him to nap, but it will take some time and hard work at his age. I always ask about napping at the interview to avoid this type of family. If they are not napping at home, I don't take them. Too much headache! As it stands now, all you can do is be firm and keep putting him back to bed until he realizes he isn't going to get out of it. Good luck!

He is with me fulltime, it was just this week. Mom is consistant and he lives with her primarily. I told mom at the interview a nap is a must and she agreed. It is tricky because I just have one open space and once I get more kids they will need to nap. I don't want them napping through out my house as I wanted the daycare to not spill over into my personal life as much as possible.

I have an almost 3 year old and according to his parents he does not nap at home. When I put him down for quiet time I tell him its time to close his eyes for a nap and he asleep within 5-10 minutes. I have another 3 year old who is stubborn and rarely naps (desperately need one), but for the most part stays quiet during quiet time.

During quiet time I don't expect the older ones to sleep, but they are given a basket of books and they can either lay on the couch and look at them or lay quietly.

Oh no, I know you are still trying to fill spaces so keep advertising. This will NOT work. Why? Because as the others said, the parents are not on your side and things won't improve.

I talk to the parents at the interview abouT routine and schedules and that I'm flexible but that I truly believe that children thrive on routine and are healthier and happier. I use the example that I have 5 children who all fall asleep every day within about 15 minutes of each other. Even children who for some reason don't nap on the weekend. When parents say, I don't know how you get my child to sleep every day. My answer is always the same. ROUTINE!!!