Another Nap Question - Sorry!

[Msdunny]

I received the following message from a mom two nights ago:

"Hey M... I have a couple thoughts concerning Dcg. a few weeks before spring break she was taking about an hr to go to sleep (8:30-9:30 or 10). And she would get up at 5:30-6 am.
It's become pretty apparent that she doesn't need much sleep.
Last week over spring break I didn't give her naps and it was a total difference. She was in bed sleeping by 8 or 8:30 and didn't wake up until 7-7:30. I know we were playing pretty hard and the weather was awesome to be outside. But not having a nap made a huge difference.
Thankfully it is warming up, so I know they will get outside a lot more
I understand nap/rest time is something that is needed when watching a handful of kids. So I want to honor you in that.

All this to offer a couple suggestions for Dcg.
Get outside as much as possible, get her as active as possible to burn energy I know you will now that it's warmer.
Maybe she could have rest (instead of nap) time with a book or a quiet toy, or even video.
I hope this helps!!
We so appreciate all you do for her!!"

I replied that I would try to let her rest with books to look at while sitting on her nap mat. Nap times are not a negotiable for me. I won't do a video for her because I just don't allow that, and I have a younger dcg who is a light sleeper. So, both days this little one has fallen asleep in about 5 minutes. I have even discussed with her that she does not need to sleep, read books then get more if you would like, etc...but I am not going to KEEP her awake. The weather is finally clear here (other than clouds of pollen), so we have taken hour long walks every day and are running and playing like mad!

Here's my dilemma - this child will leave for summer in mid June (teacher's child). I don't want to let her stay up with me during rest time so I can keep her awake, but I think mom is expecting her not to sleep. Dcg even came in this morning saying she doesn't have to have nap time - mom must have told her that.

Sorry for the novel, but I am interested in what you would do. I did tell dcm that her daughter may be too old for my program if she isn't needing a nap. FWIW - my dh thinks she is just wanting to avoid having much time to actually parent in the evenings. And she's here by 7:30 each morning, so she can't sleep until then anyway.

[Cradle2crayons]

I received the following message from a mom two nights ago:

"Hey M... I have a couple thoughts concerning Dcg. a few weeks before spring break she was taking about an hr to go to sleep (8:30-9:30 or 10). And she would get up at 5:30-6 am.
It's become pretty apparent that she doesn't need much sleep.
Last week over spring break I didn't give her naps and it was a total difference. She was in bed sleeping by 8 or 8:30 and didn't wake up until 7-7:30. I know we were playing pretty hard and the weather was awesome to be outside. But not having a nap made a huge difference.
Thankfully it is warming up, so I know they will get outside a lot more
I understand nap/rest time is something that is needed when watching a handful of kids. So I want to honor you in that.

All this to offer a couple suggestions for Dcg.
Get outside as much as possible, get her as active as possible to burn energy I know you will now that it's warmer.
Maybe she could have rest (instead of nap) time with a book or a quiet toy, or even video.
I hope this helps!!
We so appreciate all you do for her!!"

I replied that I would try to let her rest with books to look at while sitting on her nap mat. Nap times are not a negotiable for me. I won't do a video for her because I just don't allow that, and I have a younger dcg who is a light sleeper. So, both days this little one has fallen asleep in about 5 minutes. I have even discussed with her that she does not need to sleep, read books then get more if you would like, etc...but I am not going to KEEP her awake. The weather is finally clear here (other than clouds of pollen), so we have taken hour long walks every day and are running and playing like mad!

Here's my dilemma - this child will leave for summer in mid June (teacher's child). I don't want to let her stay up with me during rest time so I can keep her awake, but I think mom is expecting her not to sleep. Dcg even came in this morning saying she doesn't have to have nap time - mom must have told her that.

Sorry for the novel, but I am interested in what you would do. I did tell dcm that her daughter may be too old for my program if she isn't needing a nap. FWIW - my dh thinks she is just wanting to avoid having much time to actually parent in the evenings. And she's here by 7:30 each morning, so she can't sleep until then anyway.

"Dear DCM, rest time in my program is NOT NEGOTIABLE. I do not require them or make them sleep, but I won't keep them awake or wake them if they fall asleep. Please do not tell dck they don't have to nap as this causes conflict in my program, thanks for your understanding"

I would never let a parent tell ME what IM going to do or not do related to my program.

[CraftyMom]

How old is dcg?

Regardless of age, if she's sleeping, she's tired. I will not force kids not to sleep. I'd let her sleep.

[Msdunny]

How old is dcg?

Regardless of age, if she's sleeping, she's tired. I will not force kids not to sleep. I'd let her sleep.

Sorry, I meant to add that she is 3 and will be 4 in a month.

[snbauser]

I would do exactly as you are doing. Quiet time is not negotiable. It's my only break. I have all 3's and 4's. They are allowed to take a book to their cot when they go but they have to lay quietly. If they fall asleep, they are allowed to sleep. 2 of my 5 don't normally sleep.

Dcg even came in this morning saying she doesn't have to have nap time - mom must have told her that.

My response in front of Mom would have been along the lines of "Mom is mistaken. As I have been telling you, you don't have to sleep, but you do have to rest quietly so your friends can sleep"

[llpa]

I am having this same issue with a much younger dcb. I told his mom that everyone, no matter the circumstance, "rests quietly" ( no books entertainment or talking) for the first 45 min. Then, if not asleep, I pass out books, quiet bags and puzzles to use as long as they are quiet. I turn on the fan, music and start cleaning. Guess what? They sleep. So I am so there with you as far as not having to spend your break w a child for company, just cause it's convenient for mom, no matter how nicely she puts it in her message!! You need your break too :hug:

[Heidi]

I would do exactly as you are doing. Quiet time is not negotiable. It's my only break. I have all 3's and 4's. They are allowed to take a book to their cot when they go but they have to lay quietly. If they fall asleep, they are allowed to sleep. 2 of my 5 don't normally sleep.


My response in front of Mom would have been along the lines of "Mom is mistaken. As I have been telling you, you don't have to sleep, but you do have to rest quietly so your friends can sleep"

[MissAnn]

I received the following message from a mom two nights ago:

"Hey M... I have a couple thoughts concerning Dcg. a few weeks before spring break she was taking about an hr to go to sleep (8:30-9:30 or 10). And she would get up at 5:30-6 am.
It's become pretty apparent that she doesn't need much sleep.
Last week over spring break I didn't give her naps and it was a total difference. She was in bed sleeping by 8 or 8:30 and didn't wake up until 7-7:30. I know we were playing pretty hard and the weather was awesome to be outside. But not having a nap made a huge difference.
Thankfully it is warming up, so I know they will get outside a lot more
I understand nap/rest time is something that is needed when watching a handful of kids. So I want to honor you in that.

All this to offer a couple suggestions for Dcg.
Get outside as much as possible, get her as active as possible to burn energy I know you will now that it's warmer.
Maybe she could have rest (instead of nap) time with a book or a quiet toy, or even video.
I hope this helps!!
We so appreciate all you do for her!!"

I replied that I would try to let her rest with books to look at while sitting on her nap mat. Nap times are not a negotiable for me. I won't do a video for her because I just don't allow that, and I have a younger dcg who is a light sleeper. So, both days this little one has fallen asleep in about 5 minutes. I have even discussed with her that she does not need to sleep, read books then get more if you would like, etc...but I am not going to KEEP her awake. The weather is finally clear here (other than clouds of pollen), so we have taken hour long walks every day and are running and playing like mad!

Here's my dilemma - this child will leave for summer in mid June (teacher's child). I don't want to let her stay up with me during rest time so I can keep her awake, but I think mom is expecting her not to sleep. Dcg even came in this morning saying she doesn't have to have nap time - mom must have told her that.

Sorry for the novel, but I am interested in what you would do. I did tell dcm that her daughter may be too old for my program if she isn't needing a nap. FWIW - my dh thinks she is just wanting to avoid having much time to actually parent in the evenings. And she's here by 7:30 each morning, so she can't sleep until then anyway.

I play audiobooks and let all kids bring books to bed. This seems to pacify most of my parents. Some kids listen to the audiobooks for over an hour before falling asleep. I keep them going all nap time so of they wake up, they can listen again. Nap time is not negotiable here either!

[Brustkt]

Dear DCM,
My child no longer wants recess or lunch...you don't mind spending your breaks with her do you?
Thanks for understanding!::::