Arggg....Nap Time Issue

[Heidi]

I have NEVER had this problem in 12 years of dc!


I have a dcb who turned 2 in March. He has always been a decent sleeper, but they moved him to a big bed at home shortly before his 2nd birthday. So, at night, he starts off sleeping in his own bed, then ends up in a big brother's bed. Big brothers, of course, don't notice...they are sleeping.

I have had him in pnp here all along, but now that I have 2 new kids that are awesome sleepers, I thought...hey, I'll transition him to a mat. He did ok day 1, day 2 he got up and played, and I moved him back to his crib. Day 3, great, day 4, he'd fallen asleep in the car for 20 minutes at around 11, and he wouldn't stay on his mat. Moved him to the crib-he screamed. Dad picked him up early because he was home anyway (he had planned on picking up when he woke up).

Yesterday and Tuedsay, he did awesome on the mat. Today, I caught him playing again. No, I do not stay in the room. I have schoolagers that need some attention, and it's cleanup, forum, and such time.

Moved him to the pnp....scream fest. I left the room, he climbed out! first time ever...put a sleep sack on him....left again....he climbed out again! Put him back....and repeat 4 times.

Now I am sitting here with my computer on my lap and he is laying there, but not sleeping.

So now what?????

I have a baby moving to days next week (currently 2nd shift). I need the pnp for him (could buy a 2nd one, but if he climbs out anyway....).

I cannot devote nap time to sitting there. Like I said...schoolagers need me.

They nap in the downstairs family room..where it's dark and cool. Upstairs is bright (lots of windows..log home..no curtains) and there are 3 older children that need that space.


Got any ideas??????

BTW....he's still not sleeping. I've been sitting here for 20 minutes and it's 2 in the afternoon. He is yawning.

[MyAngels]

I have a video monitor that I use for these situations. I don't need to be in the room with them for nap, but if I have one who is newly transitioning to the nap room with the other kids I use the monitor, and when they start to get up to play I just peek in the door and remind them to stay put. It normally only takes a couple of days for them to get into the routine.

I also have the other kids remind them that they need to stay on their cots, too, if necessary.

If they are playing with toys (we nap in our main daycare room) I just cover the toys with sheets until they get with the program.

[Blackcat31]

Girl, you need to get your mean mommy attitude going!

I would honestly devote a couple days and do hard core nap mat training.

You will have to give up a couple days and put him on his mat. If he gets up you have to put him back. I wouldn't say anything except maybe "Stay!" super firmly and without any grayness so he doesn't think you are messing around at all.

If he gets up, put him back. If he gets up again, put him back again. I personally wouldn't resort to putting him back into the PNP/crib because I just think it kind of defeats the purpose and looks like he has won in some way....kwim?

I would continue to do this until he stays put the entire time....sleeping or not. Most my kiddos are transistioned to a nap mat by age 15 months at the latest and some go easy and others take the tough route. Either way, they stay put and I win! happyface

I think that you will have to get the SA kids set up in something that will keep them busy and maybe even talk with them about what you are trying to accomplish with this little guy so they can maybe try really hard to be extra good and help you out by giving you some space to train this little one.

So lay him down and tell him stay. If he gets up, put him back. Rinse and repeat until he understands that you are going to last longer than him.

Gotta love those determined little ones....makes the days interesting

[cheerfuldom]

agree with Black cat. you are going to have to figure out some way to devote several days, if not more, to some consistent hard core nap mat training. He may need you right there to put him back immediately every time.