2 Yr Old Keeping 1 Yr Old from Napping

I would forego the fairness in order to get them to nap. To me, it's more important for nap-time to happen, than not to happen and everyone be miserable because of cranky toddlers, lol.

My opinion would be that the pack-n-play isn't a big deal. I have 3 yr old twins and boy who will be 2 this month and we only have a 3 bedroom house, so my 3yr old daughter and 2yr. old son who share a room(b/c they both require a lot of sleep)have to be split up during nap time or it is like a party in there :) It is actually my 3 yr old who now prefers to sleep in the pack-n-play in our bedroom. For me, nap-time is a must since I am nine months pregnant w/ our fourth and it is important for them too. So, I say, if the pack-n-play works, just stick with it.

If it was me, I would keep doing what you are doing. Have the youngest nap in the pack n play in another room. There is nothing wrong with that. My baby will be two this month, and up until a few weeks ago, the pack n play was her bed. If you are consistant with the nap in the pack n play, the youngest will get use to it and be okay. Plus, on the bright side, in a year or so the oldest one won't need a nap and the younger one will still be napping. When that happens the younger one will be use to sleeping in the pack n play in a different room for nap and the older one can play in thier room b.c he will be too old for a nap.
ALSO, Congrats to you and Thank you (even though I don't know you) for taking your nephew into your home and raising him as your own. I wish more adults had your integrity and determination and probably strength with them both being so young.

Stick with the pack-n-play. So that is his napping bed. If it works, go with it. If he is happy, then it is not a disservice or unfair. It is a quiet, comfortable appropriate bed providing the sleep he needs.

I don't mean to simplify the issue, but what about putting the older one in the pack & play? I have a 20 mth old that doesn't even nap in her own bed because the nap is more important than the place. We then have quiet time so that she gets at least 1 hr nap, or my oldest would have her up almost immediately. He plays quietly in his room.

I had the same problem with my two boys. I found removing the troublemaker and putting him for a timeout on the cold bathroom floor did the trick. I explained that it was nap time and that he could either sleep in his nice comfortable bed or in the cold smelly bathroom. It didn't take too long for him to shape up. Later I told both boys that I loved them and that I wanted them to be healthy and happy and that napping helped them to grow and be happy. Hope this helps.

I hate to make your life miserable, but I guess they have to be separated at nap time. Putting the older boy in time out will separate them and he needs to be aware of the fact he is supposed to be resting.

I would put the youngest one in his bed and lay the older one down on a couch and tell him he needs to rest now. Let him know it is not his responsibility to wake the younger child and if he does it then put him in time out for up to five minutes.

Good Luck, I am interested in what the other moms have to say.

I say a good old fashioned thing called discipline. At 2 yrs old, he is old enough to know right from wrong. If what he is doing is wrong, then teach him it is wrong, however you've chosen to discipline, is obviously not working, time to try something new. A cold bathroom floor sounds like a perfect place to learn a lesson.
Sorry if it sounds harsh, but I have (older) children who know that when I say stop, they stop, when I say No, they know that I mean NO, begging, whining, pleading gets discipline, not what they want.
If this problem has gone on more than one or two days, then time to nip it in the bud for good.

Can you put the 2 year old in your bed or even one of those kids air matress beds you get from walmart for nap time. Then they both have a comfortable place to sleep and yet aren't in the same room. It seems to be really the only solution. My other thought would be put the 2 year old down first...then when he goes to sleep the one year old can go down. You can tell the two year old that he would not have to go early if he would lay down and go to sleep instead of keeping up the one year old. Hope something helps!

Life's not fair, but I think separating them for now is the best option. Otherwise, you need to punish the older one for misbehaving. If you do this, you'll have to take him to another room, to time out facing a wall or corner, and he will probably very difficult to make him do this and keep quiet at the same time.
You could take away a privilege, such as going outside in the afternoon after nap if he is not quiet, but again, you will have to go through the missing naptime to get to that point.

I was having the same problem with my two girls, who are now 2 and 4. I made a paper stoplight with a green light, a yellow light and a red light. All of the 'lights' have velcro on the back. Whenever they are playing or call me or do something that is not appropriate for sleeping, I take away the green 'light'. That is their warning. If they continue, I take away the yellow light. Then, if I have to take away the red light then they know that they lose dessert for the next meal. (this is a HUGE deal to them...they love dessert) The consequence can be anything that your son really likes, maybe tv time, playing outside etc. It will only take one or two times for there to be consequences that he doesn't like before he will learn he can't behave this way. It has worked wonderfully for my girls, almost magically! Keep at it. He'll learn! Hope this helps!