How did you know the naps were coming to an end?

Jack turned 3 on June 28th.

I realize that I am lucky that he still naps - but I have a feeling it's coming to an end.

Right now he has napped about every other day.

I actually don't mind if he doesn't fall asleep in there bc then he goes to bed early. He normally plays for awhile and then falls asleep. On the days he didn't nap recently he played for an hour and then started yelling for me and banging on his bedroom door.

I NEED the break though during the day because he is up at 6am. Is it bad if I still put him in his room when he completely stops napping all together?

How did you know naps were ending?

How do you survive the day?

Re: How did you know the naps were coming to an end?

josh stopped at 8 mos old, when i refused to hold him for another second while he naps.

jessie naps...i had no idea how great moms of nappers had it!

Re: How did you know the naps were coming to an end?

I am not there yet BUT I remember in kindergarten we were still getting naptime - and those that didn't nap had to lay down quietly the whole time or we got in trouble.

Can you do that with Jack? Get him a clock - if he knows his numbers, great, if not teach him the ones you want. My parents would tell us, you are not allowed to leave the room until the little hand is on the 7.

Same thing could apply for naps - he goes down at 2pm, tell him, you don't have to sleep, but you have to be quiet for an hour, and when the little hand is on the 3, you can come get me.

I honestly don't know if that would work for a 3 yr old but it worked for me and my sisters!

Re: How did you know the naps were coming to an end?

I knew because he stopped napping.

He actually stopped just before he turned 3. Taking naps on and off. Not everyday!

Now he would nap again but not before 2:45-3pm. That means no sleep until 10-30-11pm. So I don't let him nap past 1:30pm if he wants to nap. Otherwise he has to hang on until 7:30pm.

Re: How did you know the naps were coming to an end?

TJ doesnt nap much anymore. I actually dont even both trying to put him down. Sometimes he'll fall asleep in the car and I'll just put him in his bed but it's rare.

I figured he was done with naps when I would put him up there and he would just make noise or jump on his bed or keep coming downstairs.

Re: How did you know the naps were coming to an end?

I'm dreading this as well! DD is 3 and all I hear from my friends with older kids is that napping stopped around 2 & 1/2-3. I would love to see what other moms say.

Re: How did you know the naps were coming to an end?

Umm, if Ryan stops napping before I TTC for #3, then I just might not ever TTC for #3

Unfortunately, when they start becoming inconsistent - I think they're dwindling. If he'll play in his room, I see no problem with it. Ryan won't do this. Maybe 15-minutes, but then he'll knock on the door, I mean pound on it - which screws me if Colin is napping - so it's easier for me to just have him in his playroom.

Re: How did you know the naps were coming to an end?

since Mason pretty much stopped I put him in his room for some down time he usually stays in there 45 min till he wants to come out!

or I just put a movie on he loves movies!!

Re: How did you know the naps were coming to an end?

DS would probably still nap (he turned 4 7/27) but he stopped being able to fall asleep at bedtime so I stopped them. I needed my nights to myself more than I needed him to nap. If he is extra tired or I need abreak I will have him sit quietly by the tv with his blanket and a snack or sit in his room and play or read quietly til I say times up. A rest is almost as good for them as a real nap in terms of re-grouping and re-energizing.

Re: How did you know the naps were coming to an end?