Length of nap time

[Inspired by Reggio]

Ya Jec at two I would be inclined to think this is sleep resistance and has nothing to do with not needing sleep and everything to do with them reaching that stage when thy realize things occur while they sleep and they do not want to miss it ... I would keep expecting him to lay quietly and go back to the sleep he was having prior .... I had one that age do the same thing for a few weeks and the expectation to rest quietly consistently sent each day he is back to sleeping well again

[apples and bananas]

apples and bananas: how does your "early" morning child come to you? Is she just raring to go when she comes in the door? I open at 6:30, (changing to 7:30 in 2 weeks after almost 10 yrs) alot of times I will suggest to the parents, because it is so early and that to me is not a "natural" time to be up for a child that small, I will ask if they would like to bring the child in pj's so they can lay back down when they get here, and rise at a more comfortable time for them. That way we all win, the parent has a easier morning not having to fight the irregular waking time for the child, I get my quiet am, my kids get to sleep longer due to no "noisy ones" bombarding through the door, and the child gets much needed rest for a better day. Then when its awake time everyone get out of bed, gets dressed and off to breakfast. Works here!

I should have been more specific. She's 7, lol. So, it's in front of the TV she goes and off to the shower I go. If I could give her a key I would LOL and she could let herself in. It's just the early rise that's getting to me. I'm a 7am person. Any earlier I don't feel refreshed at all!

[cfred]

I've found the magic number to be 2.5 to 3 hours every afternoon. No exceptions. Don't, don't DON'T pull them out early when still adjusting to the schedule change. If you do, it makes the transition so much harder to complete. It will work, but it will take a little time. It takes some time to get everyone in sync, but it always works in the end. Everyone wakes up happy, well rested and ready to play till closing. Little ones from 4 or 6 months to about 10 months also require an hour or so in the morning. I try to weed that one out before a year so everyone can be on the same schedule. After 11 years, I've found this a very successful formula. Of course, as the kids get older and don't require a nap, this changes somewhat. They must have a quiet time for the duration of one movie with a blanket and pillow, then a quiet activity that I provide for 1 hour until the little ones get up. Even the bigger kids need a break....from the day, from each other, from me. It's a nice chance for everyone to recharge their batteries.

[Littledragon]

Not selfish! My kids stay in their playpens for TWO hours whether they are sleeping or not. If you keep him or her in the playpen for the duration of the nap time (2 hours) he or she will learn to sleep for 2 hours. There are no exceptions in this house. They take the two hours, no ifs ands or buts.

[apples and bananas]

I've always been happy if I get 2 hours, but after reading this thread I changed my tune. Now I want nothing less then 2 1/2 hours! None of them can climb out of their playpen so that is where they will stay until at least 2:30. I have a new one whos 12 months old. He is a horrible napper! But today I decided, no matter what he does he is not getting lifted out of that play pen until 2:30. He woke up twice, put himself back to sleep both times and woke up finally at 2:35. It was nice.

[dodge__driver11]

Yeah for me its 2.5 hours- 3 hours no exceptions! And I really enjoy it LOL

[Momof4]

Jec, I hope he's going through a phase and goes back to sleeping longer very soon! Most of my dckids sleep 2 hours but one little boy who is 21 months takes 1/2 an hour to fall asleep and I stay in the room with them waiting for him to finally drift off, then I take 1 1/2 hours to read and rest and come back into the room at the 2 hour mark.

As soon as he hears me he is awake again so he gets a lot less sleep than the others. But I'm right here laying him down and telling him to be quiet because his friends are still sleeping and he lays there. So my rule is that once 2 or more children start to wake up I start to get the diapers changed and let the rest of them wake as naturally and quietly as possible.

It is really important for you to rest at quiet time. You really don't want to burn out, you're right.

[jec]

Thanks ladies!
I'm going to have the kids rest for a bit longer ~ 1.5 to 2 hrs. Then take my break first!!

[kidlove]

That makes sense, apples and bananas. 7 yrs, she is also going off to school in another couple weeks....then back to later wakey!?