Afternoon Nap: ADVICE PLEASE!

[daycare woman]

I also have one that is crying right now put her to bed at 12:15 and now crying at 1:00. I am not a happy camper this wakes everyone. Well maybe not but close. It just bugs me! I know it shouldn't and the funny thing is I have been doing this for quite a few years and I've always had great sleepers till now. The other one who is under 2 only sleeps maybe a tad over an hour and screams and cries the rest of the time. So I have the screamers upstairs, so who cares if they wake each other up I guess. I just feel really bad and the other one who is currently crying is just a tad over 1. Annoying!
I've had 2 parents suggest that maybe their over 2 and a half year olds not sleep. Are you kidding me! Not going to happen! I said to my husband the day 2 year olds stop napping is the day I quit daycare!

[mothergoose]

I agree with the earlier posts about routine and letting the child cry it out for a little bit. Just wondering how much physical activity do the children get. I find with mine if the weather is great and we go for a walk and play in the park they are more likely to go down for a longer nap and with less fuss. If it was a rainy day or winter time and no physical activity was had then I find nap times are less and pushed further into the day. Good Luck it's tough when children are cranky from being tired and it takes a toll on your health and well being.

[lilac]

At the moment, if we have nice weather, we still go outside in the morning, precisly to keep her busy and help her one get a good sleep. I've discovered that I cannot take her in the van very far b/c she falls alseep on the way home and ruins the afternoon nap. Even today we put our raincoats and boots on and toddled around outside checking out the worms etc....

all week, I have been leaving her when she wakes up, I do go and check if she has pooped, usually she does it in the morning, but if she doesnt, then thats part of why she wakes in the afternoon I think. So I go up and check, change right there in the room if she needs it, and put her back down, and its hit or miss whether she goes back to sleep or not, but one thing is for sure, she screams for me... she'll stop to listen to see if I'm coming, but then continues. Part of the problem I guess is me going up to check but i know if she does have a poop, there is no way she will go back to sleep, and I wouldnt let her anyways.

Luckily, I've noticed, that my other napper seems to have adjusted to the screaming, and is still asleep when I go to get her to do the school run.

But seriously, its grating and stressful when you have to listen to it... knowing you are trying to teach them something, but feeling awful that they are crying.

[playfelt]

Unless she is the type of child that can't tolerate a poopy bum then I would be leaving her. It is only for the hour and you going in and getting her up and putting her back down sends a mixed messsage. Kids sleep 10 hours overnight and poop at some point and wake up that way in the morning. For most kids they can finish their nap without adverse results.