Toddler Nap Time Troubles

Sounds like he's done with naps. Their schedule changes, and needs to be adjusted to. What works a year ago, may not work now.

My 2 1/2 year old recently went through this exact same thing. I posted a similar question just a couple months ago! But I KNEW she needed a nap because without it she was a nightmare by 5pm. But now she's back to taking great 2 hour naps every day. I learned that she thrives on routine when it comes to nap time. We do the exact same thing each and every day leading up to nap time. I have to be very strict about planning everything around her nap time needs, because even one day off our routine and it takes several days to get her to nap well again. We have lunch, then watch Word World on PBS, and she knows that as soon as Word World is over it is straight to bed no questions asked. We read one book, and she goes to sleep. Sometimes she'll try coming out of her bedroom or just playing in there, but I just very stearnly tell her "No, it is night night time, no playing, time to go to sleep". The first few days I had to do this over and over again for about 2 hours! But now, I just have to tell her once and she knows I mean it. But really I think the biggest key was consistency on my part.

Instead of nap time - just have quiet time. He can just play quietly in his room. My son stopped taking naps at about that age. I miss them at times because I would take a nap during that time too.

Both of my kids cut naps out by 2 years old.

Both my kids cut naps out by that age as well. It stinks that you don't get that down-time during the day, but is kind of nice because then they go to bed earlier at night! It gives you time to wind down by yourself in the evening, when you're exausted and dragging anyway! :-) Both of my kids are typically in bed between 7-7:30pm and sleep until around 6-6:30am with no naps during the day and have been on that schedule since they were about 2. My daughter is now 4 and my son is almost 3. Good luck!

If he is getting enough sleep at night, he may not need a nap every day any more. We didn't force it anymore at that point and would just make sure to have a "quiet time" every day to rest.

A.,
Around this age I call it Rest & Reading time. We read 2 books and then I put music (1/2 hr CD) on and tell them they need to lay down while it plays. When the music stops all the way, they have stayed laying down and quiet and they are still awake, they can get up. Usually they fall asleep. If they haven't stayed laying down and quiet, then the music starts over and they get to try again. I do this until their normal nap time would be done. Also it helps to use phrases like" not a long nap just a short little one" and so forth.

But yes he still needs a little nap and even if not napping you should still require that same amount for alone time. It still is relaxing and restful. eventually he will start taking them again. Just stay consistent. and matter of fact about it.

You could also try postponing it for a later time, maybe an hr or so, maybe he would be more tired then.
Good luck!
E.

My daughter went through a few phases where she didn't want to nap but it was clear to me that she still needed naps because she would be so grumpy in the afternoon if she didn't take one. I just kept putting her down for naps and eventually she started going to sleep again. She's 4 1/2 now and although she won't nap at preschool during the week she naps at home on the weekends. Occasionally we have something going on on Saturday or Sunday afternoon and she'll actually get upset about not being able to lay down for a while. Any time my daughter has fought me about taking a nap I just tell her that she doesn't have to go to sleep but she has to lay in bed quietly and rest for a while and that mommy needs quiet time too. She has almost always ended up falling asleep. I imagine we'll probably stop naps by the time she starts kindergarten in the fall and I'm dreading it.