Naptime suggestions

[midaycare]

My dck's are pretty good at napping. The babies go in separate areas, and the ones that are 2+ go in one large room, spread out. I haven't found another way to do this, because if I leave them in different rooms (the older ones), they would never sleep. And they would scream bloody murder. They like to be near me at naptime.

When I have a dck that refuses to settle down (they keep walking around, they get up and play with toys, etc.), I have 2 pack and plays set up that I can use. I rarely have to use them. But today...I habe 2 kids in them, and I could use a third! I let them have books, but they all fall asleep once given the chance.

I redirect and move back on the mat again and again and again - it must have been 40 times today with one dcg. The dck's don't care. All advice I've read on here is usually, "Don't say anything, pick them up, put them back on nap mat." So this is what I always do. And they LOVE it when I sit by them. They will just try to chat with me.

So ... Other suggestions for these tough days?

[Blackcat31]

My dck's are pretty good at napping. The babies go in separate areas, and the ones that are 2+ go in one large room, spread out. I haven't found another way to do this, because if I leave them in different rooms (the older ones), they would never sleep. And they would scream bloody murder. They like to be near me at naptime.

When I have a dck that refuses to settle down (they keep walking around, they get up and play with toys, etc.), I have 2 pack and plays set up that I can use. I rarely have to use them. But today...I habe 2 kids in them, and I could use a third! I let them have books, but they all fall asleep once given the chance.

I redirect and move back on the mat again and again and again - it must have been 40 times today with one dcg. The dck's don't care. All advice I've read on here is usually, "Don't say anything, pick them up, put them back on nap mat." So this is what I always do. And they LOVE it when I sit by them. They will just try to chat with me.

So ... Other suggestions for these tough days?

I think it might just be time to get your "mean mommy" look/voice going on...

If I had a child that blatantly got up and just walked around or tried to play toys when they were suppose to be lying down, they would lose a whole lot of privileges and probably not be all to keen on trying that again the next time around.

I have fun and mess with the kids a lot and we often stray from one plan to another simply because that is where the day lead us.....but when it comes to nap time or safety rules and manners, there are certain expectations that are NOT negotiable and if someone tries.....they find out real fast that it's not happening.

It might sound "tough" to those reading these posts or to other providers that don't value the same things I do but I run a tight ship and my expectations for the kids are not off base as 99.9% of my kids comply and are very well behaved so....

[midaycare]

My mean voice must not sound mean. They listen for a minute, then slowly start to crawl towards toys. The toddler crowd is not very stealthy, no matter what they think.

[Play Care]

I don't put toddlers on mats until I know they are old enough to stay put. For some kids that's 16 months. Some kids are closer to 3

Yep. 3

I don't have the time to sit and physically move kids back to mat every time. By the time they fall asleep it's time to wake.

[midaycare]

I don't have the time to sit and physically move kids back to mat every time. By the time they fall asleep it's time to wake.

Truth. Perhaps it's time to use the pack and plays daily for my few that really want to play.

[Jujube835]

Like Blackcat, I'm also very strict about naptime.

I give these kids my absolute ALL while they are awake. I'm open 12 hours a day to accommodate their schedules, I spend my own free time planning activities for them in the evenings, I'm active and play with them from dusk to dawn, we honestly go non-stop.

So when it's time for "me time" I am not playing around. That's the only time I can prep dinner for my own family, get things set for the afternoon, clean up the messes that the kids can't clean, spend alone time with my own kids, etc. The kids learn REALLY fast that I will not tolerate crap at naptime.

You disobey me more than once and you can bet that you're sitting on the deck, (confined to deck toys... the HORROR) for at least 30 minutes while everyone plays outside in the afternoon.

I'm even getting fired up just typing this out!

[midaycare]

Like Blackcat, I'm also very strict about naptime.

I give these kids my absolute ALL while they are awake. I'm open 12 hours a day to accommodate their schedules, I spend my own free time planning activities for them in the evenings, I'm active and play with them from dusk to dawn, we honestly go non-stop.

So when it's time for "me time" I am not playing around. That's the only time I can prep dinner for my own family, get things set for the afternoon, clean up the messes that the kids can't clean, spend alone time with my own kids, etc. The kids learn REALLY fast that I will not tolerate crap at naptime.

You disobey me more than once and you can bet that you're sitting on the deck, (confined to deck toys... the HORROR) for at least 30 minutes while everyone plays outside in the afternoon.

I'm even getting fired up just typing this out!

Deck toys, . What are those? They sound awful, like the busted toys I always see at thee Goodwill here.

[Controlled Chaos]

I think it might just be time to get your "mean mommy" look/voice going on...

If I had a child that blatantly got up and just walked around or tried to play toys when they were suppose to be lying down, they would lose a whole lot of privileges and probably not be all to keen on trying that again the next time around.

I have fun and mess with the kids a lot and we often stray from one plan to another simply because that is where the day lead us.....but when it comes to nap time or safety rules and manners, there are certain expectations that are NOT negotiable and if someone tries.....they find out real fast that it's not happening.

It might sound "tough" to those reading these posts or to other providers that don't value the same things I do but I run a tight ship and my expectations for the kids are not off base as 99.9% of my kids comply and are very well behaved so....

I started typing something about my "mean" face and "scary" voice and then I deleted thinking people would worry about my poor dcks :: But really - I would put them in a pac n play and make them earn a big kid bed. Have a fun toy/snack/activity you hype up for the afternoon and they have to earn it by making good choices during nap. I am also crazy protective of nap time. My 8 dcks, 8m - 4y , all nap at the same time and I truly can't imagine even the 18 month old getting off her cot.

[midaycare]

My 8 dcks, 8m - 4y , all nap at the same time and I truly can't imagine even the 18 month old getting off her cot.

Clearly I am doing something wrong!!!

[childcaremom]

I do not consider myself an expert in this area at all....

But what has worked for my older ones is when there is a newbie to the group, to take that first 30 mins to sit in the room. I read a book to them as they are lying on their cot and then settle them in. I play audio books for them to listen to and will read my own book while keeping an eye. Stern voice, stern looks.

After 2-3 weeks, they've usually caught on and I can carry on with my rest-time life (chores, dinner prep, etc). So my routine is to read books, tuck them in, turn on audio books and leave room.

When someone is not listening, I have a few consequences in my arsenal:
1. Remove them from the nap area. So they now have to sleep away from their friends and right by me. This usually works.
2. If above happens too many times in a short period then they don't even have a chance to start nap with their friends. I remind them of the nap expectations and that when they show me they can lie quietly, stay on cot, etc, then they can try again. They are completely separated and no one likes that.
3. I don't have a magic age that I transition from pnp to cot, so usually once they are on the cot, they are ready for it. If they are having trouble transitioning, then they stay in the pnp a bit longer.

One thing I am trying differently is to have all kids in one area from the get go. I used to separate my under 2s. Now I give my new ones a few weeks to get acclimated and then everyone is together. Hopefully that makes transitioning to cots easier this go round.

[racemom]

We transition everyone to a cot at 9 to 12 months depending on when they move to the older infant room. My routine when cots come out is, turn on lullaby cd, lay everyone down covering them with blankets, and sit between my 2 worst offenders. Pat their backs and make sure they lay still until the go to sleep, move onto anyone else still awake pat backs, etc. Usually within 5 minutes everyone is asleep. Once they realize they cannot get up and must lay still, they go to sleep. At first it takes sometime to get them to go to sleep fast, but once they realize you are serious it doesn't take long.

[midaycare]

I'm taking all of these suggestions under advisement! Today I am putting my worst offender - age 3 next month, in a huge pack and play I have. The rest are pretty good. She can get them all riled up, though!

[Blackcat31]

I'm taking all of these suggestions under advisement! Today I am putting my worst offender - age 3 next month, in a huge pack and play I have. The rest are pretty good. She can get them all riled up, though!

As a parent, I'd have issues with my 3 yr old being put in a PNP.

I think at that age, they are plenty old enough to comply with your expectations and if not, old enough to understand a consequence.

I'd set up a SUPER fun activity for after nap. If they don't cooperate at nap time, they lie down and take their nap when the others are finished and are participating in the super fun activity.

I would maybe consider a PNP solution for a newish 2 yr old but after age 2, I honestly don't think it's age appropriate. Might just be me and my personal expectations/experiences but I have 3 yr olds that play outside without me being physically present (other than my video camera) and I think 3 is not a new preschooler...3 is old enough to know the rules and follow them.

[midaycare]

As a parent, I'd have issues with my 3 yr old being put in a PNP.

I think at that age, they are plenty old enough to comply with your expectations and if not, old enough to understand a consequence.

I'd set up a SUPER fun activity for after nap. If they don't cooperate at nap time, they lie down and take their nap when the others are finished and are participating in the super fun activity.

I would maybe consider a PNP solution for a newish 2 yr old but after age 2, I honestly don't think it's age appropriate. Might just be me and my personal expectations/experiences but I have 3 yr olds that play outside without me being physically present (other than my video camera) and I think 3 is not a new preschooler...3 is old enough to know the rules and follow them.

I agree with that except for a few things.

1) dcg is only here 2 days per week - it's hard to get a routine with her, but she is my second client that signed on, so no way am I ditching her. All of my first clients took a leap of faith with me, and I respect that.
2) dcg is super spoiled. Dcm brings lipops, doughnuts, or other things to coerce dcg to leave at pickup. Every time! So dcg isn't listening to me if she really wants to get up and play during nap time. Honestly she's a great kid otherwise - spoiled yes, but very sweet, yes. Until nap time.
3) the pack and play is enormous. It more than fits her.
4) dcm doesn't care. She understands "I" can't spoil her and have a business to run. Tonight when I tell her at pickup, dcm will just say, "Well, bummer, you should have listened to Ms. midaycare." Then she will tell her she has a doughnut waiting for her in the car.

My other kids 2 & up though are all on mats.

[Blackcat31]

I agree with that except for a few things.

1) dcg is only here 2 days per week - it's hard to get a routine with her, but she is my second client that signed on, so no way am I ditching her. All of my first clients took a leap of faith with me, and I respect that.
2) dcg is super spoiled. Dcm brings lipops, doughnuts, or other things to coerce dcg to leave at pickup. Every time! So dcg isn't listening to me if she really wants to get up and play during nap time. Honestly she's a great kid otherwise - spoiled yes, but very sweet, yes. Until nap time.
3) the pack and play is enormous. It more than fits her.
4) dcm doesn't care. She understands "I" can't spoil her and have a business to run. Tonight when I tell her at pickup, dcm will just say, "Well, bummer, you should have listened to Ms. midaycare." Then she will tell her she has a doughnut waiting for her in the car.

My other kids 2 & up though are all on mats.

okay well, in that case....

Good luck!

Your loyalty is admirable (although not at all respected by the DCM) but in my opinion it wouldn't be worth it to me and it sounds like the only solution is to choose between your loyalty to the family or a smooth nap time routine with compliant kids.

I can't make that decision for you but it sounds like you aren't going to get both.