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Nope. My kids both sleep on the top bunk - for night and nap time. DCG sleeps on bottom in my daughter's room and DCB sleeps on bottom in my son's room. They are all in the same nap spot everyday.
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Put one of the two DCK's in the living room and one in the kitchen.Comment
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Have you tried incentives for those who are laying quietly with eyes closed? I do this with my older 3's and 4's since they have mostly outgrown napping. They love earning different things each day. Stickers, pom poms, and even the occasional Hershey's Kiss.
Do the kids have loveys(blankets, paci's, stuffed toy)? In my house only kids who are resting quietly get loveys - and I take them away from kids who are not sleeping.
Are they getting enough outdoor/large motor time? I literally try to run their legs off in the AM, so I know they are tired.
I know you said you don't have the space, but I would try to use non bedrooms (dens, family room, guest room, etc.) to separate the kids permantly. I know some nap kids in one room, but I never had good luck with that. And a simple "we need to sleep during nap time so we need to be in different rooms."
I would not hesitate to move children to another room, and speak firmly to those who feel they "can't" rest if someone isn't with them (really, that speaks more to who they think is in charge then anything else)
And based on the last question - How do the children behave for you otherwise? Are they generally good listeners who follow directions? Or are they testing in other areas as well?
As for your last sentence, at the risk of offending, there is no such thing as a guarenteed break in this business. Can there be down time? Sure, but we are still responsible for ensuring the safety and well being of the children in our care - even during nap time. I understand the frustration, I really do. But I've learned not to wait until nap time to try to get things done, and take advantage of downtime I do get. I do hope you find something that will work for your group so you can have some down time.Comment
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We all gave advice.
You just sound like you aren't willing to take any of it.
Hope you figure something out.Comment
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Ummmm wow! Yeah I would agree. A bit harsh!
If you have don't have any advice or something helpful, there was no need to comment.
PlayCare and BlackCat - Thank you for your additional advice. You are correct, there is no such thing as a break.
. I will try the incentive thing and see how that goes. Thank you so much for everyone who gave advice!
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You are shooting down everything anyone tells you. So to me that sounds like you aren't concerned with taking the advice.
Harsh? Trust me, that wasn't harsh.
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All of my kid lets nap in he same room except the baby (pnp in the front room with closing door)
I separate them with items, parts of the play yard. So toy box, shelf, 3sections of play yard separate them. Each on their own cot. I lay them down in a certain order. I have gone as far as when I have the twins here I leave on secure in the high chair where I can see him and rock his brother, the easy to sleep one first. Two minutes he is asleep and I lay him down. Then I take care of brother who is a little harder to settle. If I take them both back, one runs and keeps the others up. I think it is analyzing your kids. I stay in the playroom until they are all asleep, otherwise one may wake another. Once they are asleep I do schoolwork with my son. taking that time to settle them is so worth it. If I try to skip that it doesn't work and I have chaos.
A break... Yes, naptime can be a break but it takes the effort in the beginning to train them and some days a good naptime just isn't in the cards...Comment
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