"Quiet Time" in Place of Nap Time

My daughter gave up naps when she was 2.5. I think it's totally normal! I know a lot of other kids that did too. She was in a toddler bed at that age and it just became too much of a fight to make her stay in her bed. We have movie time in the afternoons. I'm well aware of what people will say. It works for us. She's always liked to watch movies. She's 3.5 now and I don't see that there's any negative effects from her watching movies in the afternoon. Sometimes she falls asleep and sometimes she doesn't. A lot of times I watch the movie with her or a I read. I love my down time too. I used to use that time to do housework, but not anymore! :) There are lots of times we'll snuggle up together on the couch or chair and watch the movie.

Don't give up yet. Maybe, it is just a phase. Naps are so good. Try an activity that may get your son back on schedule. Take a walk or something else that is physical but not too simulating. You want him sleepy not over stimulated. Good luck!

My son (later found to be adhd like mommy) could never do quiet time. The only time I got for me during the day once naps were a thing of history was if I plugged him into the computer with www.starfall.com, or curled up with him and watched a movie.

If you CAN do quiet time, more power to ya!

To be honest I really dont think it is the KIDS that need it -it is more us. So if you must do this then I would definitely have enough toys and such to keep him entertained and SAFE in his room. And I would not do it for more than an hour. That is a long enought time for a kid to be alone.

We started doing quiet time with our son at about that age. The suggestion of doing something active in the morning may help him need the nap - ours just doesn't sleep during the day unless he is sick. Anyway, it has changed over the years but when we first started he would get a stack of books to look at & low music or books on CD (I make our own), Bible stories on CD (again, I make my own). The stories/books on cd are great since most kids love to have stories read to them but we are not always able to do that. If you have a computer (since you're on here I assume you do :-) a microphone & a little time you can make them yourself also. You can google Audacity for the program. I also am a firm believer in "quiet time," everyone needs a little time to recharge. Hope you find what works for you.

We do cartoons or books during quiet time. I have her do this (she's 3) since she doesn't nap on weekends and I'll have her rest while her brother is napping (usually 1030-1130). It's earlier than her naptime would be at daycare but sometimes my younger one doesn't nap in the afternoons. If he does, I'll have her do something else quiet.

i wonder if he hasn't been getting his normal activity/stimulation the last couple weeks. have you tried tiring him out really good in the morning, coming home for lunch, and then a nap? i am a firm believer in naps - my son is 4 and we will continue to have naps for a long time yet - "I" need them, too! on the weekends anyway lol. and he is given a nap every day at preschool. there are some days that we have plans all day and he does ok without one, but the next day i make sure he gets one, otherwise watch out! he will be grump city.

in answer to your actual question, "quiet time" at our house usually turns into nap time. i use the term "quiet time" to encourage him to calm down and be still and not freak out thinking he "has" to go to sleep - he actually doesn't. depending on how tired i know he is, he will either take "quiet time" in his own room (and no i don't play music or turn on a movie or anything - if i know he's tired, he'll go to sleep) OR if i am pretty sure he isn't going to go to sleep easily, i will pull him into my bed and turn a movie on. i can keep an "eye" on him, and still get a bit of a catnap. my son is 4 though - at 2 1/2 naps were not negotiable. i'm not sure a 2 1/2 year old would lay quietly in bed for a movie. honestly i'm not convinced any 2 1/2 year old is "big enough" to give up a nap - but it all has to do with levels of activity. if they're not getting as much stimulation/excercise, then yes, they may not need naps as much. but in my experience the happiest kid is one that is worn out in the morning, and gets a good nap.

Does he get enough active playtime in the mornings? If he runs around and plays enough, I bet he would fall asleep. Some days that's not possible and on those days quiet time is great. My son who just turned 3 has quiet time by snuggling up in a big chir with his blanket and watching a dvd. I try to put on something low key like Winnie the Pooh or Thomas the Tank Engine. Even if he watches the whole thing and doesn't fall asleep, at least he's had some rest time. He is still cranky early in the evening though and ready for bed earlier.

I have done quiet time where my daughter would lay on the catch and watch a movie, knowing full well if she sits still she would be asleep. I have also done it where she needs to go to her room and play quietly. Sometimes she would go ahead and nap, other times she wouldn't.

I don't have any suggestions other than to check out this link and see the ideas that other moms have mentioned for quiet time - hope it helps!

http://www.theskinnyscoop.com/search/quiet+time?utm_campa...

My daughter has crayons and some stuffed animals, and occasionally TV (in the den - no TV in her room). What helped her get used to Quiet Time was a Sesame Street DVD of the same name.

Good luck!

when i think i or my child needs down time, i will plug in a movie, and make them LAY quietly with a pillow, and blanket with everyone also watching the same movie. usually everyone is asleep way long before the movie is over

I recall very distinctly, that my mom would put us in our crib or bed in the afternoon when we were no longer taking naps. She's peek in from time to time and as long as we were quietly playing she'd go about her afternoon stuff. This was back in the 60s when kids weren't as electronically stimulated as they are now - not sure if that matters. But I remember "telling" on my little brother when I saw that he was laying on his bedroom floor playing with actions figures - my mom answered that as long as he's resting it's fine. That didn't work with my kids since very toy they touched in their room came to life with lights or music, etc. Maybe if you rid the room of stimulating toys it will work better? Only leave books, duplo blocks, small cars, etc. ?

My son also went through a nap-strike at that age (as did many of his friends)... he had quiet time where he got to choose a DVD. He had educational & relaxing choices (Sesame Street, Harold & the Purple Crayon, etc)... since he had seen them, he usually did not stay awake for the whole thing (& if he did the quiet time is still good for his body). I disagree that the quiet time is for the adults. When he naps, he will nap for almost 3 hrs. so giving him the opportunity to rest is important. I "know" some people think a tv, movie or dvd is a bad idea- but my son is 3 1/2 & was not delayed ny any of this... he is actually starting to sound out & spell 3 letter words & I think the reinforcement from the sesame street alphabet dvd's helped!