Why do toddlers try to fight the one thing that every adult envy’s, nap time?
Ever since my daughter turned two I have found it increasingly more difficult to take her scheduled nap time. This past weekend was the worst, which nearly launched a self-induced panic attack over the question “what I am going to do with out her naps.”
Naptime for me is the time I plan for dinner, wash the clothes, wash the dishes, clean the house, write a blog or two and send out any orders that may have come in. If I had the choice I would chose the nap over any housework. But not her, she would rather stay up and play.
This weekend I found myself hoping in the car and actually circling a 10 mile radius around the neighborhood, yes twice hoping for her to fall asleep. And this time it didn’t work, she did everything she could to stay awake. She spends the entire drive talking and singing to herself in the back, trying to keep herself awake.
According to BabyCenter.com, “Toddlers fight the urge to rest simply because they are so interested in what’s going on around them. Your curious toddler has so much to see and do and she’s afraid that if she naps, she’ll miss out on something. Also, just like other toddlers, your child is beginning to understand that she’s separate from you and is her own person, so she asserts her independence whenever she can. Refusing to take a nap is one way she wrests control from you.”
I am pretty sure her nap time; my work time will be gone soon and I will have to learn how to reschedule my time and hers to get everything done on time. Then when I get used to that, I’ll have to readjust again with the new baby coming in December.
4 Nap Tips from BabyCenter.com
Scale back your expectations. As a baby your child needed 2-3 naps, as a toddler try reducing it to just one.
Keep nap time consistent from day to day. Toddlers need routine to feel secure; if your child goes through the same steps each day she’ll know what to expect, and you can hope she’ll be more compliant.
Make sure your toddler falls asleep on her own at night.
Stay firm but calm. Although it’s frustrating having to deal with a toddler who won’t nap, the best thing you can do is not show her that she’s getting to you. Try to avoid making nap time a battleground. Just tell her that she looks tired and needs to rest, and you do, too. Then, give her a hug and a kiss, tuck her in, and leave the room.
