Ok, I know I need to break this cycle. My little girl is 2 and takes her naps in the afternoon. I usually read her a few stories and then rock her till she's out. Unfortunately, I rock myself to sleep too! When I wake up I try to put her in her crib to finish napping, but she wakes up and cries/ throws a fit. If I sit back down in the rocker, she'll fall back asleep but then I get nothing accomplished during naptime. I'm savoring every moment with her (since she'll be my last one) so I have a hard time putting her down to nap. But I know it's not good...for either of us.
Thank you, ladies, for all the great feedback. Now I don't feel so guilty about my afternoon snooze! After her fit this afternoon, we laid on the floor & she feel asleep for 2+hrs. So we are now considering the move to the toddler bed. Santa may bring it, if we can wait that long :o) Thx again!! PS- Lisa- LOL, I use to use the bathroom excuse with my son and it work. But my daughter is not so gulible though.
This works for me: As I put her down in the bed, I tell her I have to go to the bathroom and I'll be right back. Then I do it and come right back. Most of the time she is sound asleep and I can just let her be.
Hi there,
Until a few months ago, I would rock my daughter sometimes. Then I would put her in our bed. That helped her be happier as opposed to napping in her crib. When she turned 2, soon after we turned her crib into the toddler bed. She goes in her own bed now and puts herself to sleep and sleep 2 hours! Before that, she would sleep like 1 hour nap.
Maybe it's time to go to the toddler bed!
Good luck!
Why is it not good for either of you? There is a book called, "Our babies, Ourselves," that describes parenting in other cultures. Many babies in our world are never put down. I believe that when you meet the needs of your child, she will be more secure and independent and confident as she grows. Not to mention, that when you teach her how to be a warm and loving person who puts time with other people at the top of her list, she'll be a happier person.
My youngest and third son took naps cuddled up with me while I read. It was a wonderful time to connect with him while his two brothers were off at school and a chance to rest during a busy day. He is the most independent and confident person I know and very warm and friendly. If I needed to get something done, we would fall asleep on a sleeping bag or comforter on the floor and then I could move away without moving him.
None of my kids moved well when asleep so it was easier to put them on a twin mattress on the floor (in a childproofed room) as toddlers so I could leave them safely and still get things done. You can use the crib mattress but then you won't be as comfortable.
Good luck.
It sounds like the nap can be energizing for you too. Yet if you really want to get up, lay down on a bed with her as she falls asleep. When you get up, you don't have to move her around too much and she's not likely to wake up. Be sure to baby proof the bed area to help prevent falls or her getting hurt. That's what worked with my daughter.
Enjoy the nap! I look forward to nap time for both me and my daughter (3), lol. I put my ipod in her room with a bunch of kids songs, and lay her in her bed. I tell her that it doesn't work in my room. This keeps her put. She has always been pretty good about nap time, but I have always been firm about it. She goes in her bed at a certain time. The ipod helps when she is being difficult. Hope this helps you out some.
I don't really have any ideas on getting her to nap without you, but I was thinking my daughter loves doing things with me. I can go through old papers and she loves throwing the trash away, and she loves watching me cook (we have a stool we pull over by the counter) and I get her to help me clean up her room and pick stuff up off the floor so I can vacuum. Then I give her a big hug and sometimes a piece of candy or a granola bar (she LOVES granola bars, probably more than candy) and tell her thank you and we spend time together. That way I get stuff done and she's so proud of herself for helping. It takes longer than it usually would, but I don't really care because I'm spending time with her. After doing that work, she's tired, and actually takes better naps for me. Not sure if it would help your daughter, but you might want to try it. Good luck with whatever you do!
