Nap time help

[rocketgirl96]

I'm having a terrible time trying to decide what the heck I should do about naptime. Here is my question.
Do y'all think that having a consistent bedtime is more important than taking a nap in the afternoon?  Lately, my DS (3 1/2 years old) has not been consistent about taking naps. Some days he does. Some days he doesn't. The problem is (besides his behavior but that's another issue) is that when he takes a nap, he doesn't go to sleep until 10ish whereas if he doesn't have a nap, than I put him to bed early (usually asleep by 8:30).  I'm fine doing it this way, but I have to admit that sometimes I wonder if I'm doing him a dis-service since his schedule is constantly being changed and disrupted. What do y'all think?

Thanks,

Christine

[pianojazzgirl]

Oh no, I think it's ok.  It'll all come out in the wash.  The giving-up-the-nap time is a transition time when bedtime will fluctuate.  Eventually he'll give up the nap altogether and the bedtime will settle down.  I don't think (based on my experience with my 2) that it will do any harm.

[SweetSilver]

Yes, yes, the transition.  You can spend 2 weeks to really eliminate naptime as a regular part of the day (they will still nap on car rides and tiring days at this age).  To do this, you need to make bedtime much earlier for a while.  Freakishly early in my experience, like 6:30 depending on the kid. Late enough so they won't confuse it with a nap.  It helps if you slide into bed before they wake up that first time so they don't confuse this with a late naptime.  This method will help resolve this rollercoaster in not too long, but it can be rough getting past that urge to nap in the afternoons.  A complete change of routine at that time of day can help for a bit.

     Or you can keep going how you are doing it and it will resolve itself eventually.  Either way is fine.  Whatever works best for both of you is the way to go.  Just reassure yourself that this is normal.