When did you end naps?

[mamalovehm]

My son is 3 1/2.  He has difficulty transitioning from play to sleep.  We have tried everything and I really think it comes down to him not needing naps anymore.  During the week he attends a fabulous Waldorf inspired in home care that we love.  We have tried everything...chiropractic, nutritional changes (though his diet is already pretty impeccable), energy work , reiki, acupuncture, herbs, early bedtimes, warm baths, supplements, ceiling light things, driving him around...you name it.  So, on the weekends we have started playing him really hard and not napping him and it's wonderful...we can get him down about 8 (as opposed to 11-12).  His attitude and behavior after those nights is just dreamy! :) Here's the hard part...I'm torn because the naps are my sitter's down time.  In order for her to provide such an enlightening experience for my kids I realize she needs this 2 hours for herself...to chill, get meals ready, etc.  On the other hand my gut tells me this might be what is best for my son.  I need help...my heart breaks for the kid when at 11:30 he tears up because we are all frustrated and he thinks we're upset with him...but he's just plain not tired.  Then he is a bear in the morning because he only got 7 hours of sleep and then "needs" a nap the next day...it's a bad cycle.

We absolutely love her and I don't want to upset her in any way...Help!

[andromedajulie]

Mama, it sounds like you already know what is best for your son. I understand the fear of upsetting the caregiver. But surely if she is providing such a great home care experience, she understands that your son's needs are very important - especially when he's having such a dramatically different reaction to the two situations. I think she's going to have to find another way to find the time. Maybe you will need to work with her to figure out a way for some type of low intensity period so she can get things done, or maybe she will just have to do it at another time. But you are paying her, I presume, and it sounds like the transition has to be made. I think you can be empathetic to her, but still be very firm about getting your child what he needs!

[JudiAU]

It sounds he is more than ready to end naps. You just need to work with your provider on an appropriate, minimially supervised quiet time activity for your son that doesn't disrupt the other kids and allows her to have some down time as well.

It might range to listening to looking at picture books, listening to books on tape or music, working on an art project, etc.

Don't feel bad about it and don't apologize. There is nothing new here. Just come up with a positive approach.

[MrsBone]

Yep, sounds like he doesn't need naps. As much as you want to please your babysitter and make her job go as smoothly as possible, it sounds like he needs to give them up. DS gave his up at 2 and a few months. He would be up until 10 or 10:30 and then wake at 7:30, and then need a nap around 1:30 or 2, but wouldn't actually fall asleep until 3 or 3:30 and then he'd be up until 10:30 again. It was a viscious cycle. It was a few rough weeks but once he got used to the new norm, he was much better. Now I'm dealing with him going to bed too late and waking too early again. I think he needs more exercise! I just started a separate post about this.

[Peony]

I'll just agree with everyone else, it sounds like it is certainly time to drop the naps. Maybe she could try a quiet time with him for a while instead of napping. Him looking at books, etc...

ETA: We've stopped naps with my first 3 at age 2 because they would stay up way too late if they napped. DD2 goes to preschool she does not nap through but a rest time is required. She has little books she works on and other things she does for 30 minutes until the other kids are asleep and then she gets up again and does quiet crafts.