Naptime

[mamamanda]

Ok so seriously...how do you get your dcks to lay down w/o you sitting right by them? I am so frustrated right now. This week has zapped my patience completely. We go over the rules. I lay them down, turn on the noise maker, & leave the room. I get the babies settled (one to nap & one to play) & come back to find the 2 3y.o.s spinning circles in the dark room I take away their afternoon privileges, lay them back down with yet another reminder of nap time rules using my stern voice mind you, & leave to use the bathroom. I come back to find one of them laying down while the other one I sitting up laughing & carrying on in a soft whisper voice. I then sit down in the room & dcb lays still, but doesn't go to sleep. I feel like I'm being held hostage b/c I can't leave the room w/o him acting up & waking others. He keeps yawning and I know he's tired. He's just fighting it to prove he can. I follow through with taking their privileges so I don't know what they think they're going to gain.

[Controlled Chaos]

Have the big kids help you put baby to sleep. Sing baby a night night song with you, blow kisses etc. Not having other LO nap at that time is tough...do you have a play yard, swing, play mat that baby really likes and will play on quietly and happily for a bit? I would NOT leave other children on beds unattended when they aren't trained better to stay on their bed. I would stay in the room, giving the look until they fell asleep. Sorry I don't have a magic trick.

[Controlled Chaos]

Have the big kids help you put baby to sleep. Sing baby a night night song with you, blow kisses etc. Not having other LO nap at that time is tough...do you have a play yard, swing, play mat that baby really likes and will play on quietly and happily for a bit? I would NOT leave other children on beds unattended when they aren't trained better to stay on their bed. I would stay in the room, giving the look until they fell asleep. Sorry I don't have a magic trick.

Other than having 2.5 yo nap in a pac n play. I know some here wouldn't agree with that. But I would have them earn a big kids mat or cot. I have put 3 yos in a pac n play for nap who wouldn't stay. I see it as a safety issue for them and the other children.

[jenboo]

I always put babies down first then the older ones. I do sit in the room for about 15 min until all but one is asleep. Then I'm able to leave because they have no one to play with and eventually fall asleep. I use that time to update the food program, do other computer work or just go on fb. I really don't mind the 15 minutes..

[laundrymom]

I'm no help because I'm a sight and sound provider but am curious to read suggestions.
All my kids sleep in same room.

[mamamanda]

I've always sat in the room with them before, but now my 11mo is on a different nap schedule-one in the morning & one in the afternoon. They won't go to sleep if I take him in there with me b/c he "talks" quite a bit. It's so frustrating. If they would fit in the pack n play length wise I wouldn't hesitate to stick them each in one.

[Controlled Chaos]

I've always sat in the room with them before, but now my 11mo is on a different nap schedule-one in the morning & one in the afternoon. They won't go to sleep if I take him in there with me b/c he "talks" quite a bit. It's so frustrating. If they would fit in the pack n play length wise I wouldn't hesitate to stick them each in one.

hmmm all my dcks must be shorties :hug:

[mamamanda]

I had a family of boys who were rowdy, aggressive, defiant, etc. Dcg3 was best buds with the older boy, but she has only caused me trouble on a few occasions. The boys' last day was last Friday & dcg has been defiant & unruly all week. I'm thinking maybe she was more of an instigator than I realized & dcb took the fall b/c she is somewhat sneaky. This week she has literally stood in my face & said, "NO!" repeatedly. I respond very firmly with her, but I feel like every child over the age of 2 in my care has tested the rules like crazy this week. No more fun childcare provider. I've had to be the mean drill sergeant all week long. Could that just be caused by the shift in group dynamics? We lost 2 part time boys & gained a full time toddler plus we are working at getting back into a more structured routine since school starts for us next week. I am just baffled by the shift in behavior & I feel like my stomach is in a knot all day.

[mamamanda]

hmmm all my dcks must be shorties :hug:

Haha I'm going to measure dcb. Dcg is actually bigger than my 4&5 year olds.

[littletots]

The ages 23m, 2y2m, 3.5y, 4.5y, 6y. They help put sheets on mats, I read 2 short books, smaller ones fall asleep, I sit in same room & read.

[Heidi]

Disruptive children are threatened with a move away from their friends. That usually does the trick. Sometimes, one ends up in the hallway for a day or two, and then they get it.

[Rockgirl]

I darken the room, turn on noise machine, and lay everyone up against something. No one is just laying in the middle of the floor. I sometimes use dividers so they can't see each other--just pieces of cardboard to block their view. Mine don't get up--they don't even try. They just know it's not done, .

But until your group has the routine down, I wouldn't leave the room while they are awake.

[Play Care]

I darken the room, turn on noise machine, and lay everyone up against something. No one is just laying in the middle of the floor. I sometimes use dividers so they can't see each other--just pieces of cardboard to block their view. Mine don't get up--they don't even try. They just know it's not done, .

But until your group has the routine down, I wouldn't leave the room while they are awake.

This.
Except I make sure the kids can't see each other by moving shelves, the play kitchen, etc. I have them spread out in the corners of the room. Black out curtains, fan for noise, etc.
Oh, and when I have a group that *clearly* needs more physical exertion than running around the yard can give, we go for very loooooong morning walks

[grateday]

This.
Except I make sure the kids can't see each other by moving shelves, the play kitchen, etc. I have them spread out in the corners of the room. Black out curtains, fan for noise, etc.
Oh, and when I have a group that *clearly* needs more physical exertion than running around the yard can give, we go for very loooooong morning walks

Yep, I understand. A lot of exercise helpshappyface

[grateday]

This.
Except I make sure the kids can't see each other by moving shelves, the play kitchen, etc. I have them spread out in the corners of the room. Black out curtains, fan for noise, etc.
Oh, and when I have a group that *clearly* needs more physical exertion than running around the yard can give, we go for very loooooong morning walks

Yes, that is what I do to. I have one though who is 3 and is going through a defiant peeking over the barrier phase though..........