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Yah it's a hard age.... the "terrible two's" actually goes on to about 4 years old. It's just their changing/developing emotions and learning.

Okay yes but it's hard.
It's common at this age that they protest naps/sleep. Keep to your "routine" about it and the nap/bed times. I even saw this on "Super Nanny" once... they/she just said to keep putting them back in their room, in bed, and walk out, no discussion, no interaction, no diversion... just keep putting them back, even if it takes the whole night or several days.

If anything, institute a "quiet" time. See if he can do that.
It seems you tried everything, like most parents. And, kids this age still do NEED naps... and they get tired, and if over-tired it makes it harder to sleep and they get major fussy.

It's okay if he wants to take toys in bed with him. My girl liked to have her stuffed animals in bed with her. It's fine at this age. It comforted her and soothed her.

ALSO, at this age, which was bumpy for my daughter... she would want to sleep on the floor, in the living room.... and we/I found that she would actually NAP this way. For me, this nap ordeal was hard enough... and I saw nothing wrong with "letting" her nap on the floor where she "chose" to nap. As long as she napped... then great. I talked with her, explained it to her... and taught her the word "compromise" since she was 1 years old... so, by "compromising" this way, she would nap. I explained that she has to "help" Mommy too... that we "both" need rest. This way, she DID nap and it wasn't a 'battle' anymore. It was a phase, and later she went back to her bed for naps.

When there were days when my girl just would NOT nap... I would tell her she had to stay in her room... play quietly...and Mommy is going to be quiet too. Not play. Sometimes then, she would actually fall asleep on her own... all the while telling me "I'm not going to nap!"

Some kids, it's about independence and the whole thing about their age. Yes, phases. It will pass... but it takes time.

Just keep consistency. My daughter is now 5 yrs. old almost 6, and my son just reached 24 months old...they BOTH STILL nap... my son naps twice a day, and my daughter naps after she comes home from school. Sure there were developmental changes and bumps in the road... but I kept to a routine, and kept consistent... it took patience and will power...but since I kept it a part of their day... and never gave up... they "know" it is just part of their routine... now, they rarely complain or protest about their naps or bedtimes.

It's not easy. It took effort on my part. But, well Hubby is sure glad I did this.. .because now he can rely on knowing when the kids will nap and it makes it easier on him too. LOL.

Well, all the best, I know, it's not an easy time. But all toddlers go through this. Also, they need to have a 'wind-down' time before sleeping... and I verbally "warn" my kids about what is upcoming...ie: in 15 minutes it's time to get ready for nap... and quiet time. Not play time." etc.

good luck,
Susan

Hi J., all thought i don't believe in the terrible two;s I think that is an excuse mom's use when their children won't behave, at 2 alot of little ones are starting to get set in their ways, in order to guide those ways into positive behavior, there has to be discipline consistants. I'm trying to remember if i still inforced naps when my kids were two, that was so many years ago, maybe you can try instead of naping in his room at nap time put a blanket on the floor, and put in a Disney movies or something he likes, and let him know you can either take a tap in your bed, or you can lay on your blanket and watch your movie, if you get up then you go to your bed, I think it is OK to give them choices with some things, and then of course other things are mom and dads way and that's it. The Bath and the book, I think is good, but If i may give you this bit of advice never, I mean never allow your chid to tell you no, when you tell them to do something. Talk to your husband, choose a source of discipline, stay on the same page, or he will play the two of you against each other , they are so good at that, trust me. and what ever you both decide stick with it. I have been reading the mamasource
for some time now, and one of the things that I have seen o ver and over, is parents don't believe in discipline anymore and the kids/babies seem have power of the parents, that kids are just not supossed to have, I get negetive feed back when i suggest discipline, my kids were discipline, and I can tell you in all honestly that out of 3 kids, I have never experience the problems with my kids that i read about on a daily basis here at mamasource. I know that discipline from the get go with toddlers/kids works, becasue I have the proof in my 3 kids who are now 24, 21, and 19. Mom's and dads today
a lot of them don't believe in discipline, but their kids are still little, so they don't have any proof yet that, the no disciplene method works. Keep working with him, and make sure he knows mom and dad are in charge not him. Hope this helps, and please don't writeme back and blast me about the discipline advice, I have the experiences that knows it works. J.

Hi J.,

Sorry to hear your little one is giving you fits about taking naps. This is a completely normal "phase of independence". When my daughter still fights her naps sometimes and she is 3 1/2. When she started this, I had just transitioned her from her crib to her toddler bed (which was really just taking the front rail off of her crib). I would threaten her with putting her back in her "baby bed" if she didn't stop getting out of bed. I even had to put the rail back on for a few nights in a row to show her that I was serious. She stopped fighting once she realized I wasn't playing. Now the biggest problem I have is that she has to go "potty" after being in bed for about 10 minutes, even though she went before I put her to bed. It's still a fight for independence, but I have limited the "potty" at nap/bedtime, to her having one time to get up to go to the potty. Just stick to your routine, you know what works for your child. Good luck

L.

Hi J.,
It is just a phase...I am sure you are probably tired of hearing that. I battled this out with my sweet little 2 YO girl when she said she was getting up and going out of the room. I placed the bean bag in front of the door and we sat it out. She finally came and gave me a hug and lay down on my lap.

It is important you let him know what he cannot get away with, because this stage sets the pace.

C.