Need Backup Plan for No-Nap Days

[ElsieLC]

I really count on DD (nearly 3) taking a nap. Mostly I like to relax without keeping an ear cocked to the baby monitor. And I like to get things done, like make phone calls or concentrate for more than 7 minutes.

But some days she doesn't nap, and then I don't have a plan. I will always make her "rest" in her bedroom for 45 minutes or an hour (or whatever I can get) but after that? I think if we go out and do something "fun" it will only encourage her to skip the nap. Yet I go crazy without a plan. Driving on a "snooze cruise" doesn't work anymore, although I sometimes get to listen to the radio while DD chills out in the back seat.

I'm being really dense here. What's your contingency plan if your kid doesn't nap? What's something really obvious that I'm missing?

[LCBMAX]

Stroller walk, so at least I get exercise.

Some very limited TV if I was really counting on getting something done.

A shopping trip that involves him sitting in the cart (works better around 4 when he'll be crumping anyway.)

Entirely giving up and calling it an extra play day and try to run him really ragged so I can at least have an earlier night.

[Rlin]

My son is 26 months old and trying to give up his nap. I don't force him when he's not tired. I just tell him if he doesn't want to sleep he needs to "take a break with mommy". I guess you're asking for a plan, so you get a break?
I do various things:
- play outside with chalk / sandbox / bicycle, and I just sit, have a coffee and watch (I tell him mommy has a little break and will join in later)
- watch a dvd (when I really need a break)
- I give him a large stack of books, a snack and a drink and he reads his books and I read mine.
- he loves drawing, crafts and can entertain himself pretty well doing this and I just get my things done while keeping an eye on him.
- I try to find things where he can "help" me get the work done. He likes to clean, so on a "cleaning day" he just plays around me with the vacuum cleaner, a piece of cloth etc.

[Baby_Cakes]

DD hasn't napped in months and she is just shy of 2!

What time does your LO go to bed if she doesn't nap?

So, we fill our days up with a stroller walk, some shopping. Lunch. Some TV or a DVD that she will enjoy while coloring or playing with her dollhouse.

Usually we clean - I'll let her use the swiffer or she can help me unload/load the dishwasher. Vacuuming.

If it's a rainy day we bake something simple.

Really, just try to find things to do together, or some kind of activity that she can do by herself safely while you chill or get other things done. Sometimes them having alone time to play is really all they need and is good for their imagination, etc.

[PatchChild]

No naps are as tough on me as they are on DS. I try to plan for lots of outside time on no nap days, followed by errands where he will just be sitting, since he is tired. Bath time on no nap days also saves my sanity. DS will happily pllay in the water for 45 minutes and I get to read a book or catch up on email.

[St. Margaret]

DD stopped napping early, too, or at least having loooong phases of no naps, no matter how hard we tried! I'd take her outside with a big bucket of chalk and let her play. I could zone out and relax, and it kept us both up (like at 3 or 4 when a nap was a no-no or she'd be up til midnight, and I was tired, too!) to be outside.

If you need to get stuff done, maybe something like playdough? DD is 3 and sending her into the patio with her swimmsuit, bubbles, the hose, chalk, her touching garden, etc, occupies her for at least an hour every afternoon. Even if it's too cold, wrapped up and outside time can be just the change needed to occupy. Also, put on music for a dance party!

[redvlagrl]

DD went through a phase (and still occasionally) of no naps. On those days I put her in her room anyway and she can play (she can open the door and generally also wanders around upstairs). I let her play up there for about 90 mins-2 hrs, the length of her nap.

We will then go to bed a bit earlier. Bedtime is usually 7pm but I will put her down at about 6.45. Also we absolutely don't let her nap after 4pm whcih can be a real drag. So no stroller/car etc on those days or the usually easy bedtime is a disaster.

[Nicole730]

Our no nap days are growing

I have DS stay in his room for at least one hour, longer if he isn't upset. Then he gets up and usually goes straight to playing trains. Sometimes we do leave the house, for my sanity, and either go to a park or else shopping. We also do long baths for playtime here. On no nap days, he's in bed by around 6:30. It's a little more complicated than it used to be because of DD needing her afternoon nap (and getting woken up frequenlty by my two year old shouting it's morning from his room).

[Star_Shine]

We're just entering a "no nap" phase. At least, I'm hoping it's a phase. I don't know what I'll do if he decides to stop naps for good. Right now when he doesn't nap, I haven't been able to recover my day. I'm a huge planner, but I'm useless when my plan falls through. I'm working on it though.
So far I've tried letting him run around outside (I'm trying to make sure he gets out more anyway), getting down and really playing with him (typically blocks, making forts, chasing around, etc), I've also tried pulling out a toy that he hasn't seen in a while. That's really what's worked best. A "new" toy will keep him busy for at least long enough for me to have a cup of tea and take a few deep breaths.
Good luck!