Urgently need help!!

[Littledragon]

So I had a 2.5 year old start today and he's been doing really great!! I am really impressed with how he's been doing. The only problem: nap. He's been in the nap room since 1:30 and he's been crying this whole time. With the babies, I just usually let them cry until they fall asleep. Can you do that with an older child? What do I do? I checked to see if he was hot and I stripped him down to his pull up, gave him some water and a few books. I know he's just freaked out cause he's in a room he doesn't know and it's his first day...how do I handle this?

Also, what is your experience with nap rooms?

I have a 10 month old starting tomorrow, a little boy I've had for a few months who sometimes wakes up and cries for about 30 seconds, and then this little preschooler. I'm afarid that NONE of them are going to sleep - ever. I'm putting the 10 month old in my room until i know what she's going to be like during naps, but I'm not sure about the other two in the same room...

Any advice for my first question would be VERY helpful. I feel bad that he's in there crying right now and I'm just not sure how to help him.

And any experiences with nap rooms would be very helpful!

[sunnydays]

I would tend to comfort him since it is his first day. I find sometimes they need a bit more help during the first week and then you can start letting them go to sleep on their own once they are more comfortable. The oldest child I've ever had start was 20 months and I had to hold him and give him cuddles for the first day or two and then put him in bed when he was pretty much asleep...after that he had no problem and is still my best sleep at almost 3 I don't have experience with them napping all in one room, so I can't help you there...but maybe if you could keep them separate for the first while until they are all used to being with you, that might help. Personally, I never start kids within less than 2 weeks of each other because it takes time for each one to adjust and for you to get to know them etc. Good luck!

[Littledragon]

Thanks Kangaroo....Honestly , I am just so frazzled today! I didn't intend to be open and it was last minute that this little boy was starting today. It didn't even occur to me that sitting with him would be beneficial. I just went in there and in 5 minutes he was fast asleep. With the babies, I put them down and leave. I think what I'll do from here on out is put the little one down first, in my room, make sure she's asleep then put my son down and bring the other two in the naproom and sit there until they fall asleep.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Glad he is asleep ~ I agree that while my long term goal is to have children at all ages self soothing themselves to sleep ~ when they are new if they are crying or having a hard time I too will rub backs or just sit beside them for reassurance until they are over that hump of anxiety and know what is expected of them to stay on their cot/bed and go to sleep.

I no longer do the 'group' sleep room because I just found it too hard to get them all to sleep long enough cause the other kids rolling over, talking in sleep, coughing or what not mid sleep cycles would result in them waking each other all the way up and the 'company' would prevent them from falling right back to sleep like they do when they are alone without any stimulation to pull them all the way awake and they open their eyes and see it is 'quiet time' still close them and go back to sleep instead resulting in 2.5 - 3 hour nap times for everyone verses 1.5 hour sleep times.

[Momof4]

I have two rooms where all the children sleep together and I'm right there with them, laying them down, shushing them and comforting them if they need me. If they stay lying down they fall asleep faster. I have a boy who pops up every time I leave the room and of course he's always the last one to sleep.

Hopefully you can soothe this little one and let him know he is safe and can sleep so you don't have to put up with this stress for very long. Ask his Mom for advice. With new children I ask the parents to send the bedding and I send it home on Friday for washing so it retains the smell of home for naptime. I let them bring in a favourite blanket or cuddle for naptime only too. I find this helps a lot for the first month or until they settle in well.