Naptime - Laramie, WY

Is he maybe just wanting to spend extra time with you since you are due so soon? Is he even tired? My daughter is 21/2 and dosen't take a nap anymore. The more I try to get her the worse it would be. I wouldn't put up with him hurting you though. I would hate for you to get hurt now! Plus he will need to learn to be gentle with the baby. I would compromise with him and let him do a quiet activity instead of a nap while you rest. I hope this helps. Good luck with everything

He probably doesn't need a nap at this age. Quiet time is good. And do you give him consequences for kicking and hitting? Those are absolutely unacceptable things to do. How do you discipline him for other misbehaviours? That might work for the hitting and kicking too.

Hitting and punching you is NEVER acceptable. NEVER. You need to get that under control, right now, because if you don't it will only get worse, and he will only get stronger. That is my main concern with your post (especially since you are pregnant).

Maybe he's outgrown naps? It isn't uncommon for a 3 year old to just be 'done' with naps. Maybe he's just trying to see what he'll get away with. Either way, you cannot allow him to even get physical with you. I'm not sure what discipline techniques you use, but maybe you should reconsider. All toddlers throw tantrums, but that tantrum should never include hitting or kicking anyone. I'd be happy to go into what I do, if you'd like, feel free to email me. ____@____.com

Wow, I've been in your shoes,except my son is only 2. as far as kicking and hitting you, that is NOT okay. when i was prego with my second son, getting ready for a wedding, I just wanted him to sleep all day, he used to hit me too. I had to teach him SOFT. now he knows to be soft to baby. when it comes to nap time I really don't say "it's nap time. I just wait until he gets fussy and put him in his room. he just plays with toys then eventually falls asleep. after awhile it got to be routine, so now I can say "are you ready for night night?" but then again maybee he's getting to big for naps and just needs "quiet time" lay back watch tv or read or listen to relaxing music. as long as he is calm and pretty much in the same spot.

My son gave up his naps just after his 3rd birthday, so we just moved up his bedtime an hour. Instead of a nap, you could just try "quiet time". My son does that now when his little sister is sleeping. I just tell him that it's quiet time, so he needs to play quietly with his toys in his room, read some books, color, etc. Anything quiet. He gets a break from running around and being loud, the baby sleeps and I get a break from the noise. For the first few months after he started refusing to nap, I would find him sound asleep during his "quiet time" either on his bed or on his floor. I figured those were the days when he really needed a nap.

My first question would be how long does your son usually nap. My son actually gave up his nap about this age. I can get him to have quite time with a movie but he no longer needs the actual sleep. If he still takes a really good nap once you do get him to sleep though then he probabley does still need his. As far as the running around his room, if you leave him in there long enough, he may just tire himself out and fall alseep when he is ready (even if it;s just on the floor), just make sure his room is safe for him to be in there by himself and let him sit for a while. I would start with a half an hour, listen at the door but don't go in. He might play for a while but eventually I bet he gets board and just falls alseep. That is what I had to do with my daughter, trying to hold her down only fed her fury.

I would not tolerate to be hit and kicked, especaily 35 weeks pregnant, he is old enough as well to know that this is not ok behavior,and with a new baby in the house he is going to have to learn to behave.

H.

http://wisemommy.fourpointmoms.com

Hi my daughter is 3 and she stays at home with her dad during the day and does the same thing. She will NOT take a nap and starts with the hitting. We do time-out everytime she hits or kicks. It seems to work until the next time.
When I am home with her she will rest with me but still doesn't fall asleep and she is in a way better mood throughout the day. Maybe try that?!

Hey there, have you tried using a different word like lets go rest together. When he falls asleep you can have your break, Because that is how my little girl used to be, but I changed nap to rest time and she was ok with it.
H. German

The only thing I can say is don't say the words NAP TIME that way your son dosen't know that nap times comming and he won't give you any problems.