DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

DD is almost 2.5 years old. She used to go down at 730 like clockwork, something DH and I got very used to. As she's gotten older we've stuck to putting her in the crib at 730 but she usually doesn't fall asleep now until 830. She's happy up there, talking and playing, we're extremely happy with the alone time we get, but I feel guilty that we're "ditching her" and leaving her alone up there. I know her bedtime has shifted and we should not put her down so early but DH says "she's happy! she's fine!"

I think I'm ridiculous for feeling guilty but value all opinions

DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

I totally hear ya, I always feel so guilty and sad for her when he's all alone in her crib in the dark. But I always resist going in there because she's quiet and content, it's good for them to have some alone time too!

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

Enjoy it while it lasts!!! My son use to be like that, but he stopped by age 2. If she was unhappy, she would let you know... It is great that she can entertain herself...

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

Don't feel guilty. IMO it is a great thing for them to be able to entertain themselves and have some alone time.

MY DS recently started doing this and as long as he isn't trying to climb out of the crib I am fine with him being in there. He also does the same for naps. I think he just needs some time to "wind" down.

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

"She's happy, she's fine!" Enjoy listening to her play, it probably sounds so cute!

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

Posted by DanandNette

"She's happy, she's fine!" Enjoy listening to her play, it probably sounds so cute!

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

Leave her! Easier said than done though. I spoiled my dd and she is six and still a pain in the butt. Altough she wouldn't really play nicely from the start. She would cry for me as soon as she opened her eyes in the morning. I think she probably enjoys her down time as much as you and your dh.

DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

My daughter does this, I leave her. She plays, talks to herself, rolls around with her animal friends. She has fun, I have me time, we are both happy.

DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

Enjoy it!!!!! DS does the same thing!!!

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

Do not feel guilty! It's good for both of you! DD does this too! DS always did it when he was little. He's now 4 and drives me nuts at bedtime. I say enjoy it while you can

DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

My daughter can play in her crib happily for hours cooing and being generally cute over the baby monitor. I know that I'm lucky, but I still feel so guilty, like you do. Like I should go scoop her up and play with her, but if I did that she would never take a nap!

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

Posted by NewLeaf2012

If she was unhappy, she would let you know... It is great that she can entertain herself...

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

You're guilty because she's happy? It sounds like she enjoys her "me" time. Kids need time by themselves to figure things out and learn how to entertain themselves. It's a critical part of brain development.

DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

i can totally relate. i always feel guilty leaving her in the crib to play longer than 15 minutes or so. but i do it unless she complains cause honestly if she was upset about it she would tell us. but i totally get the mommy guilt, i get it pretty much about everything.

DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

I think that's a good thing

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

My DD went through a phase around the same age where we would put her to bed and she would read books, sing, and chat with her stuffed animals for up to an hour before she fell asleep. But she was happy and content and still resting so we never bothered her. After a few months she went back to falling right asleep as soon as we put her down. I never changed her bedtime, it's always been 8pm.

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

Posted by GoldenRod

You're guilty because she's happy? It sounds like she enjoys her "me" time. Kids need time by themselves to figure things out and learn how to entertain themselves. It's a critical part of brain development.

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

My dd does the same.. We used to put her down at 7:30 but as she got older we put her down after 8. She will sing and talk for a good hour! Even in the am when she wakes up she just talks.. We dont run in there right away... So enjoy ur 'me' time

Re: DD plays happily in crib for an hour at bedtime and I feel guilty

My DS is an early riser so when he wakes up I give him books and toys to play with while I shower and get ready for work. I feel guilty too because by the time Im ready to take him out 30 minutes have passed or more. He doesn't complain and seems to be ok and honestly its so much easier then taking him out bringing him in the bathroom and having to run after him while I get ready. Im glad Im not the only one who does this.