For Those Who Work Alone- How To You Get A Break During The Day With Non-Nappers?

[Laurel]

Like someone else said you can change the no t.v. rule. If non t.v. parent doesn't like it they can leave. I never feel obligated to 'keep' a rule if it isn't working out for ME.

Luckily I don't usually have 4 year olds anymore as the state provides free Voluntary Pre Kindergarten. I used to have some 3's or 4's who didn't sleep but it was rare. Most did sleep. My granddaughter was one who didn't so she could either watch t.v. or do something quietly. If she wasn't quiet then she would need to lie down.

When I had a lot of older ones, like during summers, etc., I got to the point where we went to the park every day. By the time we'd walk there, play and walk back home they were pooped and all slept.

Laurel

[LoraJenkins]

all my 4yrs old do take a nap

mine too. Non negotiable!!!! If they have outgrown nap time, they have outgrown my daycare. I haven't had an issue yet.

[Leigh]

They are old enough to understand quiet time as they are all 4 Y/O. It is frustrating because the second I leave the room they act up. If I put the TV on for a treat they are quiet BUT I have a DCF who does not own a TV and is completely against the idea. I am not a huge TV fan for my own kids either so I agreed to not allow TV unless it was movie day....dumb mistake.

As they act up, remove the offenders from the nap room, and place them somewhere quiet where they can't observe you or anyone else, and have them stay there. It may take a few weeks, but your non-nappers will likely turn into nappers after doing this. I agree with the others, though, that kids whose parents don't want them to nap do not belong in my daycare. I require naps-I can't make a kid go to sleep, but I DO make them stay in a quiet area with ONE book, and with no television for the entire nap time. All of my kids nap, but on occasion, the oldest resists, and he goes to a nook that is separated from the rest of the house (he always falls asleep there).

[melilley]

You don't, if you have babies who are not on a schedule. I remember those days. When my youngest who are now 13 and 14 mo. old were younger, they rarely took naps when the other kids did. I rarely had a break. But now that they are older, they are on the schedule of the other children and do nap at the same time. All my kids nap now and they all want to by the time nap time comes around!

[melilley]

You don't, if you have babies who are not on a schedule. I remember those days. When my youngest who are now 13 and 14 mo. old were younger, they rarely took naps when the other kids did. I rarely had a break. But now that they are older, they are on the schedule of the other children and do nap at the same time. All my kids nap now and they all want to by the time nap time comes around!

Oops, I see that they are 4. They definitely should be taking naps or at least resting quietly.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I am in the "I don't take non nappers" camp. Now, I never think I can "do something" during nap time though because I have to be close to settle them if someone starts to stir too early. But, it is usually at least quiet for a while. And quiet is good even from my rocking chair in the playroom.

[MissAnn]

I play audible books. I turn it down a little at a time.. They have to lay still to hear.....then.....they are asleep. I would definitely turn them into nappers! I've also heard that keeping it cool helps to either fall asleep or stay asleep.

[Play Care]

I am in the "I don't take non nappers" camp. Now, I never think I can "do something" during nap time though because I have to be close to settle them if someone starts to stir too early. But, it is usually at least quiet for a while. And quiet is good even from my rocking chair in the playroom.

I never plan anything during QT, that way if I can get to something it feels like a bonus.

[jenboo]

Audio books are great! I was a 4 year old teacher for a while before opening my family child care. All my kids napped (even "non-nappers"). Maybe try rearranging them to make sure they aren't near each other. Every single time they move, tell them not to move. Its annoying but it works. After a week or so they will be much quieter and lay still if they don't sleep. I also have a two-way baby monitor in the nap room. I still have to check on the kids in person, but the monitor helps to catch every move they make. I can be in the bathroom and see one move and tell them to stop moving on the monitor. They cant get away with anything
One week later, they are all napping and I barely have to say anything to them anymore.

[LK5kids]

I would take my break in the same room and also play audio books. I would also separate them so they are nowhere near each other. I would make sure I got at least 30 min of quiet.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I do not keep kids who do not nap. We already work long, hard days... we deserve a break in there somewhere.

Exactly. All children (ages 2-5) take naps here.

[Unregistered]

I do not keep kids who do not nap. We already work long, hard days... we deserve a break in there somewhere.

Totally agree!! On top of home daycare I'm an artist, so I use naptime to work on and fill orders, ( which is also my way of relaxing/decompressing) plus I do my DH's book keeping. If the kids don't nap then I can't make ends meet and my family suffers financially for it.

Families that so much as hint that their child might not nap don't even get a second interview.

[Cradle2crayons]

Non napping isn't an option here either.

Now, when they age out of naps, over age 5 ... I personally decide when that time is... Not the parents or child. At that point until age 6 they do one hour of quiet time. And by that time ey understand what happens if they aren't quiet.

Children over age six are in school so they won't nap when they get here either. But when my school kids get home, sometimes I have my two smallest napping. The rule here is if you wake a little, you have consequences. So they grab a snack and do homework while the littler ones finish.

I do have 3 separate areas I can nap them though.

I don't do tv during nap, only soft music.

[Memc2001]

Honestly, I don't take non-napper for this reason. The hours of 12:30-3pm is such a needed time that I refuse anyone who isn't down with napping. I have also refused any school agers on days school is closed for this reason. I am by myself, have a small house and need for the little ones to have their quiet time. I just don't have anything or anywhere for them during these hours.

[SunshineMama]

I don't take non nappers, but I have some 5 year old kindergarteners who don't nap, who come 2 or 3 days a week. I tell them to go play in the playroom quietly, and advise that they will have to take a nap if they are too loud. Sometimes i let them play on the ipad. All activities that they do are in a separate room away from me. I can hear them, but they know to play quietly.

If they are 3 and under, I'd sit with them until they slept. If they don't sleep, I'd take them outside all morning and wear them out with races and obstacle courses so they did sleep. In the winter we did indoor obstacle courses and pillow piles. 3 and unders will take a nap at my house all my 4s did too.