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

[Cat Herder]

I started with only SA's when my own kids were littles.

I know you said one family does not like TV BUT could you assign each of the three kids to bring in one educational video a week (think public library lending room; cool family involvement project)??

For 3 days each week they could watch the educational videos, draw pictures and practice writing in their own marbled journal to show their parents at pick-up. First one who acts up goes to bed...

1 day a week they could do an audio book, dry erase markers/boards or felt stories; self led (again public library class sets). Same behavior policy .

Fridays popcorn and disney/pixar day.... tell the no tv family they can pick up early or cope like everyone else (they do it in public school too, btw).... You can even let them bring the movie if it makes them feel more secure.

ABCmouse, Time4Learning and other pre-k sites may be a good alternative, too. Rotate "Mouse Master" (he/she who commands the mouse) and let them do each course as a group project.

[Soccermom]

I started with only SA's when my own kids were littles.

I know you said one family does not like TV BUT could you assign each of the three kids to bring in one educational video a week (think public library lending room; cool family involvement project)??

For 3 days each week they could watch the educational videos, draw pictures and practice writing in their own marbled journal to show their parents at pick-up. First one who acts up goes to bed...

1 day a week they could do an audio book, dry erase markers/boards or felt stories; self led (again public library class sets). Same behavior policy .

Fridays popcorn and disney/pixar day.... tell the no tv family they can pick up early or cope like everyone else (they do it in public school too, btw).... You can even let them bring the movie if it makes them feel more secure.

ABCmouse, Time4Learning and other pre-k sites may be a good alternative, too. Rotate "Mouse Master" (he/she who commands the mouse) and let them do each course as a group project.

Thanks Cat Herder, these are some really great ideas!

[JoseyJo]

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

Yep! With the exception of my 8 yo sibing SA. She is allowed to rest quietly on her cot for the first 30 min, then she is allowed to read *quietly* for 30 min. If she does BOTH of those without waking anyone up or keeping anyone awake then I come in and get her and she gets to do quiet activities in the back room with me (I have an assistant who stays in the napping room the whole time). If she does not do both of those things she stays on her cot the whole time, no books, no toys. She only tried that once, since then she has been quiet (and even slept about 1/2 the time)

You can't make anyone sleep, but you can require quiet, and term if they have outgrown napping before they have grown into being quiet without sleeping

[harperluu]

For non nappers, once they have "rested" for 45 minutes I have lots of quiet activities for them to use. Small "big kid" legos, magnets, colorforms, comic books, puzzles, maze and other activity books, single person travel games like tanagrams and Rush Hour. They spread out a blanket separate from each other and they can choose their activity. Quiet is a must. They are apart from each other so talking/interacting is less tempting.

I am downstairs, but because my home is split level I can see them through the stair railings. Also, my only non nappers have to be around the age of five. If someone says they have a 3 or 4 year old that doesn't nap they need to find a better fit for childcare.