Quiet time (nap time)

[MommaLura]

My 2 y/o has pretty much given up naps except when I drive and he's really tired. Today I tried so hard to lie down with him, read him a few stories, dim the lights and rub on his back, but no luck. I need him to spend a little quiet time each day and I need a little rest myself. We've spent most of the morning outside being very active. Right now he's got a slight temperature and I'm worried he's not resting enough. Ideas?

[cicely_m]

Where does he sleep? I put my daughter in her crib for quiet time. I leave her with some books and a doll and she's learned to be totally happy for an hour.

[MamaPhD]

I take mommy breaks during the day. I leave 16mo DD to play by herself with strategically placed gates, so she isn't gated into a single room, but a series of them. This way she doesn't feel restricted or locked in, even though she kinda is. I just say, mommy's taking a break and will be right back, and she's fine. Sometimes I leave music playing but mostly she does whatever she wants and wander around, etc. I go off and check my email, etc. Do you have a room or two that are baby proofed?

[Bellabaz]

My dd1 went through this. This past summer she was 2.5 and I was in my last trimester with dd2. I so needed a break/rest in the afternoon btu she would not cooperate. So finally we just started doing quiet time. She needed to stay in her room and she can play or rest or look at books or whatever, as long as she is wuiet until I went and got her. It usually worked.

Only once did she stay quiet while ripping off the wall paper! Now that she is older she usually plays and then will get in bed and go to sleep on her own. A few times over the summer when I was desperate I had to put on a dvd that I knew she would just sit and watch so i could get a break.

Good luck!!

[MommaLura]

thanks. My ds is just shy of 2.5 and he co-sleeps. He outgrew baby gates about a year ago and he has a toddler bed, but doesn't use it. I'll try getting him to play in his room quietly, that might work. I survived my first trimester, you'd think I could get through this too, but I'm extra irritable this pregnancy and need some time to refresh.