DCM Wants to Cut Naps to 1 Hour

[Play Care]

I often tell parents "Sure I can do that!" and then go on about my business as I see fit....sure it's not entirely truthful, but especially where sleep is concerned, the problem tends to magically disappear after they think I'm doing what they asked.

That said, my QT is 12-2 each day and a child who wakes early has some books they can look at if need be but I can't let one up without waking others who really need a nap.

[Laurel]

I often tell parents "Sure I can do that!" and then go on about my business as I see fit....sure it's not entirely truthful, but especially where sleep is concerned, the problem tends to magically disappear after they think I'm doing what they asked.

[dave4him]

Would be nice if i could get them to nap! Sometimes i can get them to at the same time but if i have my niece its nearly impossible unless we all go for a country drive

[KidGrind]

If mom protests, just do the Nan trick...

Tell mom no problem, you will not allow DCG to sleep longer than one hour but since that is still your down time, you will have to hire another adult assistant to supervise the DCG for the remainder of rest time and will pass the cost off onto her.

They always change their tune when money comes into the equation.

:::::::: I did this with a drop-in client who wanted 2 guaranteed days per week. I said due to ratio I’d have to hire an assistant and pass the costs on to you.

Without hesitation she said, “Okay, how much?”

I nearly fainted. I did exactly what NannyDe said and I am making what I make for a full-time DCK for a part-timer.

You guys are the best with advice.

[MyAngels]

This might sound terrible, but I would say ok we can try that to mom. You tried it today it didn't work so go back to letting her sleep as long as she needs to and don't tell mom how long she naps. You might be surprised how much better dcg sleeps at night when mom thinks she took a short nap.

I often tell parents "Sure I can do that!" and then go on about my business as I see fit....sure it's not entirely truthful, but especially where sleep is concerned, the problem tends to magically disappear after they think I'm doing what they asked.

And here I thought I was the only one who has done this ::

[racemom]

And here I thought I was the only one who has done this ::

Me too! I honestly hesitated before posting because I worried what others might think of me for telling parents what they wanted to hear and then doing what works!

[daycarediva]

I would just tell her that she doesn't have to nap but she DOES have to have quiet time (my quiet time is laying down and listening to audio books) and have no further discussion about it.

If she falls asleep, she falls asleep.

If mom wants you to wake her, then she (DCG) will be cranky and crabby and that isn't fair for you to have to deal with.

I bet it's the early bed time that is having the biggest effect on her

All children are required to have a rest period. I cannot withhold sleep from a child, so if they fall asleep, they fall asleep and I will wake them when everyone else is up if they don't wake up sooner.

This might sound terrible, but I would say ok we can try that to mom. You tried it today it didn't work so go back to letting her sleep as long as she needs to and don't tell mom how long she naps. You might be surprised how much better dcg sleeps at night when mom thinks she took a short nap.

Done this, worked like a charm.

I have one true non napper, sometimes naps for half hour or so. ALWAYS stays on the mat the entire time, I have an mp3 player that she listens to. With the new regs, I can't keep her on the mat and MAY have to let her go. As soon as she is up, she is WILD and we all nap in the same room.

[My3cents]

DCM of 3yo DCG asked me if I could only nap dcg for 1 hour bc she has a harder time falling asleep on evenings when she comes to daycare (she is here 3 days a week). DCG would naturally sleep 1.5-2 hours, and just lay on her cot until naptime was over. She does not nap at home other days.

If dcg's naps are truly interfering with her evening falling asleep, I wouldn't want to cause any problems, however I need a break from watching all of the dck's, and if I allowed this dcg to stay up and do a quiet activity, she would be staring at me during naptime (she is a bit odd), or asking a million questions, or looking for something to tell her mom. (Mom quizzes her every single day about every detail, so the last thing I want is for dcg to go home and say she saw me watching TV, or folding the laundry, etc. However, I fully think I have every right to do whatever I want to do during naptime).

I don't want to lose dcg and tell her I only take nappers, bc I really need the money, her hours are good, and I have been already trying to fill another spot for months with the right family, I cant fill 2.

Suggestions? This 1 hour nap is crazy, I need rest. She will lay quietly the entire time, but she falls asleep, which mom doesn't want.

Um No! Tons of post on this topic. 3 she needs a nap. You need a break. Your home, your program, your rules -

[My3cents]

Um, tell her you'd like her to take DCG to the park for an hour of physical activity after dinner to help her sleep at night.

IDK... this is a frustrating issue. :hug:

My regs are very specific in that we "cannot force or withold naps". I have never met anyone who could force a nap.... :confused:

I started to right this first line, it was my thought too- I even had the Um part down.

[My3cents]

Do what YOU need to do.

Parents will it out.

I can't imagine that the nap that goes .5-1 hour longer than her 1 hour limit 3 times a week is affecting her evening routine.

Do what YOU need to do in order to keep the sanity in your program.

If mom protests, just do the Nan trick...

Tell mom no problem, you will not allow DCG to sleep longer than one hour but since that is still your down time, you will have to hire another adult assistant to supervise the DCG for the remainder of rest time and will pass the cost off onto her.

They always change their tune when money comes into the equation.

or you will have to pick her up......

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

Yep, RaceMom, SilverSabre, and MyAngels. That's just exactly what I do. Most DCPs are totally clueless how a request like this is going to wreck havoc for us, no matter how much we try to hammer it into their heads. And the request for shorter naps is always a very selfish one, and not in the best interest of the child. I've whined about this very same "way freaking early bedtime epidemic" so many times, I sound like a broken record.

I just lay that child down last, say a little something about how all his/her friends are already sleeping (dcg/b will repeat this to mom and dad). If they ever ask about it, I just say I let the child stay up till about 2, and get them up at 3 with everyone else. No one ever is the wiser!

[Crazy8]

And here I thought I was the only one who has done this ::

LOL!! me too. I was thinking it as I was reading down the posts thinking maybe I shouldn't say it, but then saw a few have beat me too it.

It is really funny how parents will tell me how "they" solved that problem when I am not really doing anything different. And not for nothing but 7pm is a pretty early bedtime for a 3 year old (assuming she is on a fairly normal wake up/nap time).