WWYD? Afternoon nap vs bedtime battle

DS is 2.5 and takes 1 nap per day, typically 2-2.5 hrs. As a SAHM, I love/need this nap and given that he falls asleep within 15 minutes and doesn't fight it, I believe that he needs this nap.

But the problem is that for the past month it seems that this nap, which ends at 3-3:30ish (starts at 1PM), is interfering with his bedtime. If we put him to bed at 8, he's up until 9. Lately he's falling asleep at 9:30 which in my opinion is too late.

I just don't know what to do. I feel so bad waking him up (well, I wake him if it's past 3:30) but I wonder if I should wake him around 2:30. I just tried waking him (i turned off his sound machine, opened his door, and opened 1 curtain) and he's still sleeping. He opened his eyes and then rolled over again.

He naps about 6 hours after waking up (he's up at 7 now) and seems to fall asleep about 6-6.5 hrs after waking up from his nap. He just doesn't seem tired before that.

WWYD? Just deal with the late bedtime or wake him after only about an hour, 1.5 hr nap?

And just to add, if I go into his room to wake him up and force him to get up right away (vs turning off the sound machine and walking out), he is SUPER CRANKY and it will take him 30 minutes just to be ok and my typical lovable boy. This is what makes this harder.

Anyway, WWYD?

Re: WWYD? Afternoon nap vs bedtime battle

Put him down earlier? feed him lunch then put him down around 12:15...maybe he will wake earlier.

Re: WWYD? Afternoon nap vs bedtime battle

I would not wake him from a nap. I think 9:30 is fine for him to fall asleep. At his age, he should get about 12 hours total between nap and bedtime, which he would if he sleeps 9:30-7 and then naps for 2.5 hours. I'm a big believer in letting them be the guides, because their bodies will tell them what they need.
Have you tried putting him down for his nap earlier?

Message edited 4/5/2012 4:06:16 PM.

Re: WWYD? Afternoon nap vs bedtime battle

I wouldn't wake him either.

Re: WWYD? Afternoon nap vs bedtime battle

I wouldn't wake him, but maybe I would try putting him to sleep earlier.

Re: WWYD? Afternoon nap vs bedtime battle

i would leave well enough alone! As a SAHM, you don't need him to get up early to get to daycare, so let him go to bed a little later and sleep a little later if that makes both of you happy!

Re: WWYD? Afternoon nap vs bedtime battle

my son turns 4 in june and he still takes a 2-3 hour nap each day (1pm-3:30ish). He goes in his bed at 8pm. However he normally doesn't fall asleep until 9. On occassion 9:30pm. As long as he stays in his room, i'm fine with it. He has his turtle night light and some books if he'd like to read in bed.

I think it's fine.

ETA: i've tried putting him down earlier for his nap or later for his bedtime. Both backfire. At night, he just needs to unwind i guess. So even if i put him down at 8:30pm, he still takes an hour to fall asleep.

Message edited 4/5/2012 8:55:27 PM.