Napping Question???

[Judy Trickett]

I refuse to care for a child that doesn't nap or that a parent doesn't want to nap.

If your child has outgrown their nap they have outgrown my daycare.

Yep, that's the line I use. And I mean it. Kids nap here or they are gone. Period.

I think all children under school age NEED a nap. We have become this society of sleep-deprived people and children suffer the most. Children NEED to nap. If they are not napping it is simply because it works better for the PARENT and not the child.

Most parents claim that napping makes their child not go to sleep at night. Not true. Lack of parenting causes bedtime battles - not a nap. In fact, research clearly shows that children who nap actually sleep BETTER at night and for longer. Sleep begets sleep.

The short answer to your question is, YES, I would let her nap. It is cruel to not allow a tired child to sleep. Just tell the mom you have all the children "rest" each day. So, when she shows up and asks if the kid napped you say, "X had a great rest today". And leave it at that.