2 Year Old Dropping Naps?? Clarification

hi, i just wanted to say i don't think this is a place to criticize other moms.
you are looking for advice not critics,right?
when my son now 1 y.o. dropped his second nap at 11 months i thought "oh come on,i thought i had until 18months before he goes down to only 1 nap!" but i was wrong.
the kids do decide when they are ready for only 1 or no naps, then they let you in on it.
my son cried for 30 mins straight then went to sleep for 20 mins in his old second nap time slot...after 3 days in a row of this i figured it out.
i just don't like that other moms are pointing fingers at you instead of offering helpful advice.
you are a mom with her hands full, take one day at a time.
have a good nite,
D.

First of all, let me say I know that all children are different because my three and a half year old usually takes a longer nap than my 18 month old. My 18 month, however seems tired the rest of the day. I say if your son is happily playing in his crib for an hour, there is no reason not to put him there. I know how frustrating it can be not to get any alone time. I also think the quiet time is a nice idea, but not one that either of my kids would follow. When they're up, they're up and running. I also agree with the idea of wearing him out. If you can take him out into the yard and run around with him or take him for a walk where he walks and you don't put him in the stroller or if he rides a bike. I find the days where I take my kids to the park or they go outside and play are the days where they sleep best. Whatever you do, do not feel guilty for wanting alone time and do not let anyone make you feel insecure about your ability as a mom. YOU and YOU ALONE know what is best for you son and you are the expert when it comes to him. Best of luck with the napping.

By the time all three of my kids were a year old - they weren't taking naps at all - maybe once in a while I'd catch a break - but they stopped, their bedtimes became 7 p.m. and would sleep all night. It was a good compromise for me.

Liz,

Every child is different. My youngest dropped ALL naps and only slept eight hours a night by 12 months!!! Everything we tried (the doctor even prescribed a medication given to kids before surgery) and nothing worked. He just needed 8 hours sleep a day, and that was it. He was perfectly fine in all other ways, so I adjusted to it.

As long as your son is fine in all other ways, just accept that he no longer needs that nap and change your routine accordingly.

Good Luck.

I totally get the urge to drop the naps. Mine is almost three and is rebelling. I'd do quiet time instead. For that hour he is in the crib that should be enough. I even change the wording as, nap is negative now. So quiet time might be a good subsitute. I didn't read the original post. So I don't know if this was gradual or just all the sudden. Schedualing could also be the culperate. My daughter should take a nap in the afternoon, but I find that if we do this, she will not go to bed at a normal time. Basically you have to figure this in, if your kids is not home schooled the kids all have to take a nap or participate in quiet time in preschool and kindergarden. So skipping the nap, is not going to help him in the future. Just my thoughts, hope it helps.
Jen

Hi L.

I have a 3 yr. old girl and at around the same time as your son she didn't want to nap anymore. That lasted about 2 weeks. She still needed her afternoon naps so either I dealt with the cranckyness or she ended falling asleep around 5:30 pm.
What I started doing is taking my Daughter out in mid morning to play either at the park or running around in the mall. She is now back to having afternoon naps. For some kids they just out grow the naps. Others stop and then start napping again. I hope for your sake he will start naping again. For you if it means he has a quite time in his crib for an hour to give you a break. Just do that at least you get a hour break to relax or do something else. Hope this helps.
C. :)

Let it be a quiet time. Kids need quiet time even if they do not sleep. This can be, sit quietly and read a book or something other than playing with toys.