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after lunch, we usually have half hour to 45min. to play. then we change bumms and off to bed. (I give them warnings that its almost bedtime) I'm amazed that many put the kids to bed as soon as they eat, can i ask why. Why don't you let them digest their food. I tried putting the kids to bed as soon as they were done eating and no one wanted to go to sleep, it was like their tummies couldn't handle lying down right away.
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Here, we eat lunch at 12. Kids finish around 12:30-12:45, depending on how well they like lunch that day...:
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We then either go outside or stay in and play games until about 1:25. Then, we potty, change diapers, and lay down. I turn on a lullaby CD, turn out all the lights, close the curtains, etc.
EVERYONE sleeps. My oldest will be 5 in June, and my youngest will be 2 in November. Nobody ever complains. They just do it because that's the routine. If they don't want to go to sleep, they still have to lay there.
I don't let them sleep with stuffed animals or books, because they end up playing and keeping everyone else awake.
My shortest napper will be 4 in June. He sleeps an average of 45 minutes a day. But he does sleep.Comment
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I also wanted to mention that what you serve for lunch has a huge effect on how well they sleep.
Too many starches and sugars will lead to cranky wakers....
- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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my dck are all sleepers
ages 2 3 3 3 3 4 4.5
out side play until 1220
wash hands potty
eat lunch at 1230
go down for naps at 1
all kids nap from 1-3 and some nap way too long until 4. I never wake a sleepign child. I feel if they are sleeping that long they need it.
at 330 we wake , potty and have snack then afternoon circle timeComment
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I am usually blessed at nap time! We eat at 12:00. Potty break and diaper changes at 12:30. I read another book once they are in their beds all covered and snuggly and they usually go out around 1:00 and sleep until 2:30 or 3:00.Comment
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We now do this.
We used to give books before nap but it got too out of hand.
They go potty then go to their cots. We have them laid out for them. They have music on to listen too then it is lights out.Comment
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We go outside from 11 to 11:45.
Come in, wash hands/pee.
Eat lunch between 12 and 12:10 to 12:40. Blinds drawn, music on.
Bathroom/wash hands/brush teeth.
Books while everyone is finishing up in the bathroom and we are putting down mats.
No talking after 12:55.
When the last person comes out of the bathroom, all books go in a pile on the table (so there's no excuse for talking and activity bc of "putting books away").
Called to lay down in threes (so no talking or playing there either).
Sleep from 1 pm to 3:15...everybody must be up by 3:45...I have really sleepy kids.
We have about 7 3yos, 6 4yos and a 5yo (but not everybody everyday).
I have one very disruptive non-napper. I decided that today if he's still disruptive ten minutes into nap, out he goes (to another room to sit). I know Im taking minutes from my life span every day spending 2 hours telling him to be quiet, stop flopping around, leave so-and-so alone, get on your mat, etc. I cant let him do quiet activities during rest because he wants my constant redirection...so after five minutes, he's playing "smack-down wrestling police mayhem spaceship" with the crayons and I have to say something to him...which continues for 2 hours.
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They would choose it over sleeping but it would not be a solution on a daily basis. It wouldn't take long before they were tearing at the pages, chewing on the edges, and using the book as a toy.Comment
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Maybe its the ages of our kids then. Mine are all 3, 4 and 5...and some of them are literally reading the books. I guess that makes a big difference vs. younger ones looking for a chew toy.
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Whoever suggested covering the toys....thank! I did that today and it is going well so far. The kids see that things are different and that they need to rest. 1 kid that hasn't slept in 2 weeks is passed out.
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I didn't realize you were the OP.Maybe its the ages of our kids then. Mine are all 3, 4 and 5...and some of them are literally reading the books. I guess that makes a big difference vs. younger ones looking for a chew toy.)
Whoever suggested covering the toys....thank! I did that today and it is going well so far. The kids see that things are different and that they need to rest. 1 kid that hasn't slept in 2 weeks is passed out.
What your original post states is why I don't do books. It isn't calming them if they are
Books are becoming excessive
they are sneaking toys to the nap
That's the escalation I don't want with books or any layer added to nap time.Comment
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I guess that I am the only one who lets them watch a video for quiet time??
I rarely have quiet time issues; the under 2's all go down for nap in another room by 12:45-1pm. The rest of the group, five to seven others ranging from 2-5 years have used the bathroom, brushed their teeth, grabbed their blankets and on their mats by 1:30. I arrange them by 'napping status' ~ the ones I know will sleep cannot see the tv, the ones on the verge of giving up nap are farthest away with a blocked view and the ones that no longer nap are right by the tv. 99% of the time, all but the two 5's fall asleep and even they will fall asleep from time to time after walking to the park or an especially busy morning. Everyone is up and around and ready for snack by 3:00pm.
They all know if they screw around, the movie goes off. I can't remember the last time the movie got turned off.
It is the only time we watch tv during the day and my parents are all ok with it. The videos are usually Feature Films for Families or other age appropriate video.
That's my method; not perfect but works for me
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