I’ve spent the past couple of weeks in denial, but I fear it may finally be time to accept that L no longer needs her afternoon nap (no matter how much I want her to!).
L is now 2 and a half, so I knew I was on borrowed time (M had given his up long ago by this age), but up until two weeks ago she was happily going to sleep for 2 hours every afternoon and still going to bed with no problems and sleeping right through till 7am (8am on weekends). I knew how lucky I was and I was desperate for it not to end, not yet. Then completely out of the blue it changed over night. I tried to ignore it, put it down to her being ill, but it was no use. I had to face reality and nap times are no more, I am officially in mourning.
If you want a heads up so you can recognise the signs yourself here are my top 5 ways you can tell your toddler is ready to say goodbye to naptime:
1.They tell you
L always went to bed happily. There may have been the odd resistance every now and then when she was too busy having fun, but generally she knew that after lunch it was time for a nap and she would go without any complaint. All of a sudden the very mention of a nap was met with a very loud ‘NO!” and lots of screaming and crying when I insisted.
2. It takes longer to get them to go to sleep than they actually nap for
In the past L would perhaps chatter away to herself or her teddies for a few minutes and then go quiet and off to sleep. Not anymore. She would demand the toilet the minute she got into bed, go to the toilet, do nothing, go to bed and immediately demand the toilet again. If refused she would happily scream ‘toilet’ at the top of her voice for an hour straight. By the time she did finally go to bed she would only have 30-40 minutes before it was time to get her up and do the school run. Which leads into point 3.
3. They wake up grumpy as hell
L always used to wake up happy. She may have wanted to lay in bed for another 10 minutes or so, but she was still happy. Not so anymore. After all the screaming and shouting and getting in and out of bed, she had finally done as asked and gone to sleep and I had the audacity to want her to get up? How dare I? Cue more screaming, shouting and crying, as well as running late picking my son up as having to struggle up the road with a stroppy toddler.
4. They protest at bedtime and/or don’t sleep through
Bedtime with L used to be a dream; bath, some milk, a couple of stories and a cuddle and she was off. By 7:10pm there wouldn’t be a sound from her room till morning (unless she was ill). This last couple of weeks bedtime was even worse than nap time for the constant demands for the toilet and despite her not having a nightlight she was still get out of bed and start crashing and banging her toys in protest. Some nights this went on for hours.
5. When they do miss a nap they cope just fine
I went out for coffee with friends a few weeks ago and the only time everyone could get together was in the afternoon, when L usually had her nap. I hadn’t seen any of them in a long time so I decided we’d give it a go and just leave early if L started trashing the place got tired. She was fine, no hint of needing a sleep at all. I should really have known then but I was far too attached to that nap time.
Writing all this down, it’s amazing that I stayed in denial for two whole weeks; the truth was staring me in the face but I just didn’t want to believe it.
All I can say is, if your child still naps, make the most of it! It’s over all to soon.
Is your little one ready to drop their nap? Are you in denial? If you’ve been through this yourself already do you have any other signs I might have missed?
Nooooo this has got me really worried! I don’t think we’re showing the signs yet, but my little one is 2.5yrs too and I know my 2 hours of afternoon blog-time will be coming to a close very soon… I feel your pain! #TheListLinky
Lucy At Home recently posted…Who Is Your #BlogCrush? New Friday Linky
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, I’ve heard rumours some kids nap till they’re 3/4 x
They seem to know don’t they, when its the right time or not. I missed it so much when mine stopped napping. We all adjust though:) Bless em!:)
Mainy
#FabFridayPost
mainy – myrealfairy recently posted…#guestpost week featuring Natalie from Hello Cuppies
I’m certainly missing it but we’re adapting slowly x
My daughter stopped napping at 18 months and my son is kind of going through this stage now. He’s a nightmare (23 months) as he sometimes gets so tired in the day, but refuses point blank to sleep. I’ve never managed to get him in his bed for a daytime nap as a toddler. He’s super stubborn. He’ll only fall asleep in the car or being pushed in the pram! At home he’ll just force himself awake all day and be super whingey! Other days he’s totally fine and won’t need a nap at all. There’s been the rare occasion he’s even fallen asleep on the floor playing as he’s just so tired!
Oh no! I really have had it lucky!
My daughter stopped napping at 18 months and my son is kind of going through this stage now. He’s a nightmare (23 months) as he sometimes gets so tired in the day, but refuses point blank to sleep. I’ve never managed to get him in his bed for a daytime nap as a toddler. He’s super stubborn. He’ll only fall asleep in the car or being pushed in the pram! At home he’ll just force himself awake all day and be super whingey! Other days he’s totally fine and won’t need a nap at all. There’s been the rare occasion he’s even fallen asleep on the floor playing as he’s just so tired! #thelistlinky
Sorry to post twice, I forgot the #thelistlinky and tried to cancel and post again, but it must have already posted it! 😛
Victoria at Lylia Rose recently posted…Save Money at Tesco with My Favourite Voucher Codes *
No worries 😘
Yep! My 3 all gave up naps at an early age – I used to get the occasional lucky one – where they’d just get so tired that they’d drop off to sleep (never for very long). Kids grow up too fast. Sarah #FabFridayPost
Sarah Stockley recently posted…#ExplorerKids – Round-up #46
She actually just fell asleep on the couch for ten minutes and then you’re met with the panic of ‘do I wake them in case they don’t sleep tonight, or should I just enjoy the peace now’, then by the time you’ve decided to sit down with a hot cup of tea for once they’re awake again anyway, like they can sense it 😂
Haha, I think we all go into denial a bit when they first show signs of needing to drop their nap! It’s a big adjustment for everyone when they do it! x #TheList
Madeline (This Glorious Life) recently posted…3 interesting psychological effects of washing your hands
It certainly is, but I have to say it’s going better than I expected x
I remember losing nap time, it was the only time of day I could get things done without “help” lol. I am sorry for your loss lol.
#fortheloveofBLOG
Ali Duke recently posted…The Birthday Blues Are Coming
Ha ha, thank you. All condolence gifts of wine and chocolate gladly appreciated 😂
This gives me slight hope because you are right about all of these. I remember them well with Ellie. I don’t think I have long left with Trixie even though she has only just turned 2 but she is only doing number 5 when she does miss a nap and occasionally wakes up a little grumpy. She still goes to sleep quickly but the amount of time is reducing. She doesn’t make much of a fuss and she goes through at night. It won’t be long but maybe I have longer than I thought. Good luck. I know the mourning of the nap well….. Sad, sad times!
Xxxx
#fortheloveofBLOG
Kirsty – Winnettes recently posted…The A-Z of Marriage
Ahh I’m sorry your nap times have come to an end!! I will be coming back to read this again in a year(?) or so?! My boys are 20 months and have only started to take 1 hour + naps in the last couple of months, so I use my time to try and get some blogging done! I hope they won’t give it up too early! #TheListLinky
That’s what I used my time for too and now I’m forever playing catch up. Ill keep my fingers crossed for you x
I never had to go through this as my children were 3 and 5 when they came home so they had grown out of naps, but this sounds like some good tips for people going through this! Thanks for joining us #fortheloveofBLOG
Cherry – The Newby Tribe recently posted…Spicy Cypriot Spuds
Oh goodness, I’m preparing myself for this turning point in our life! Toddler Munch is dropping her nap here and there. I have to make sure we keep her busy in the morning in the hope she will like a lunchtime snooze! #fortheloveofBLOG
Sunita – Lucky Things recently posted…How I feel about not having any more children?
Ha ha, running around in the fresh air is great for getting them sleepy x
Ahhhh… I’ve been in denial for a few weeks now… Amelia is 3 at the end of March, and copes just fine without her nap now (unless we get in the car, at which point she instantly falls asleep!) Because I’m, not quite ready, we have adapted post-lunch nap time to ‘quiet time’ where she can choose a quiet activity (yes this is more often than not her Kindle time!) and she stays in her room and does this for an hour… Maybe I’m mean, but I need that time, and I feel she needs a little wind down time during the day too. #fortheloveofBLOG
Sounds like a great idea to me!
My little one is 2 and a bit and I fear the nap is over, he is very hit and miss with it and wakes up grumpy if he does… part of me thinks he still needs it but he protests! #MarvMondays
Oh no. I hope he lasts a bit longer for you x
We’re in this awkward stage of are we/aren’t we dropping naps. With my first, she just told me, but my second just can’t make up her mind!!!! #MarvMondays
Ha ha, wants the best of both worlds?
I remember cherishing naptime just to have an hour’s peace in the afternoon, and even when Ella was 3 she’d still sometimes have a nap….but then you have to be careful it doesn’t throw out the bedtime routine too. We’ll have all this to come with Pops in a year or so!! Thanks for joining us as always #marvmondays x
Fran Back With A Bump recently posted…Marvellous Mondays
We just went from two naps to one… sob. The transition is always difficult but they are happier for it. #GlobalBlogging
So true, it’s definitely harder on us than them!
Dropping to one nap was hard enough. Dropping them completely will be really sad! Hoping we can hold our 15 month off for a long time #postsfromtheheart
I know what you mean. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you x
I am dreading going through this part again! My girls were quite young when they stopped napping through the day. My son is a rubbish sleeper though, day and night!
#MarvMondays
Life as Mum recently posted…Life Lately
Junior stopped to nap at the age of 3! I know, it was hard to recognise the signs which were screaming at me! 😉
Thank you for sharing! #Globalblogging
Emmi recently posted…Emmi’s weekly menu plan #2 – Easy and frugal ideas for the family
Wow, that’s great. I really wish mine had lasted that long x
I had a “nap”time until I was in school. My mom would just send me to my room and I would have to play in there and not come out until she came and got me. As an adult I realize she just needed the peace and quiet, but I never minded occupying myself with games and books for an hour or two. #DreamTeam
Heather Keet recently posted…Pasta Carbonara recipe that will make you happy dance…
My Doll seems to be at an in-between stage. She takes forever to go to sleep at nap and bed but if she doesn’t nap or if it’s too short she will be crabby until bedtime! And shes only 1yr8mo!
Oh no, you have your work cut out for you there! Best of luck x
Hi! A great list of pointers to look out for!
I’m currently going through this too. My little boy is a bit younger (he’s 2 in April) and he has a nap maybe 4 or 5 days a week. This has been going on for months now! I still feel like he needs a nap but I don’t think it’s going to be much longer until he gives it up completely. Sob! #PostsFromTheHeart ❤
Em Linthorpe recently posted…The Worst Valentine
Oh, I feel for you! My daughter is still having two naps per day and she went a whole day with no nap last week and I was panicking! It hasn’t happened again since tho tho (lucky me)!
#GlobalBlogging
Lucy recently posted…5 minute fillers for parent-baby bonding
Urgh, it’s so hard when that nap goes! But equally at least you don’t have to plan your day around regular naps. All change!! #globalblogging
Rhian Harris recently posted…TotsUp reward chart review & giveaway
Very true. I actually have a post coming up soon about the positive sides of it and that’s a biggie 🙂
Our twins stopped napping around 9 months ago and I am still very sad about it! Now when the sleep it is less peace and quiet, but more panic as they are likely to be up until stupid o’clock that evening as they are not tired 🙁 #DreamTeam
Popping back in from #bestandworst 🙂 x
Ha ha, I’m the same if she falls asleep on the couch or in the car at some point 🙂
I’m both dreading the end of nap time and kind of looking forward to it. On the one hand, it’s nice to have an hour or two in the afternoon to myself on days I’m home with her) but I also like the idea of not having to plan my days around a midday nap. My daughter is nearly two, so I assume no-nap days are coming soon. #familyfun
You have my sympathy. My daughter is 2 so i know I won’t have my precious 2 hours peace by the time the year is out. I won’t drink hot tea, tidy up or blog ever again when that happens. #DreamTeam #FamilyFun
Angela Watling recently posted…1 – 2 years with a toddler: 11 things I couldn’t have lived without
Ahhh! I have a one year old who doesn’t sleep through and I’ve only just started to be successful in achieving a longer than 45 minute nap. Tell me I have some time left?! #familyfun
The Boy dropped naps most of the time from 2. He’d still fall asleep on the sofa occasionally, if we’d been swimming or something, but that was it.
The Girl is 15 months, and is now down to 1 a day, which is bad enough. #familyfun
I have been wondering about this Elarna, she still naps fairly well at the moment and she’s not quite 2, I don’t want to give up the naps yet but fear like you were I am borrowed time, wahh! I get so much done in that 90 mins haha!! Thanks for linking up to this weeks #bestandworst
Helen Gandy recently posted…Best and Worst Linky #84
Yep, my littles are protesting about going to bed: “But I’m not tired…” It can be very exhausting! lol!
Thank you so much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost xx
Su {Ethan & Evelyn} recently posted…#FabFridayPost Linky #70 {10.02.17}
Ahhhh giving up nap time is the worst! I hated it when my 1st gave up her nap. I was like “How am I going to get the washing done now!?” Thankfully Dylan is still in the napping stage (and long may it continue) but I will be devastated when he drops his too. #ablogginggoodtime
You certainly do lose a big chunk of time every day. Fingers crossed Dylan keeps it up for as long as possible x
Oh I feel for you! All my kids still nap (6,5,4, and 2)… I call it resting time. Even if they just lie in bed and play with a toy, but this mommy needs that alone time 🙂 haha … I must say, my 6 yo is the first to fall asleep. I’m holding on to this for as long as I can!!! Good luck 🙂 #globalblogging
Oh I will be in nap mourning when Miss Belle drops hers! She sometimes doesn’t nap now and she’ll cope but be really tired/silly from about 5pm onwards, but then the next day she’ll have a 2 hour nap. I love nap time as it’s my only time to blog so I’m scared about what I’ll do when she stops! xx #TheListLinky
Susie at This Is Me Now recently posted…Recipe of the week: easy salmon marinated in lime
We’re definitely at this stage with Little B too but I’m also in denial!! #thelistlinky
Crummy Mummy recently posted…How to teach your child to love good food #ad
I’m umming and aahhing at the moment some days he does need a nap and others is far to awake and it doesn’t bother him x #ablogginggoodtime
I feel like that myself some days ;). I think you just have to follow their lead and not force it one way or the other. Good luck x
I’ve always gone with the flow. I think there’s a sleep bank eldest has that builds up and then she spends it. #PostsFromTheHeart
Helena recently posted…How to Channel Your Little Artist’s Creative Efforts
Oh gosh I do remember trying to get little man to nap because I just needed a break! I was definitely in denial! Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime 🎉
Catie: An Imperfect Mum recently posted…#a blogging good time #36
Arghhh yes this is ringing true for me at least with one of the twins – nos. 4 and 5 but I am in denial as I LOVE my peace and quiet in the middle of the day…… #globalblogging xx
Hayley@ Mission: Mindfulness recently posted…Small Changes Can Make a BIG Difference
My son was about 2 and a half when he stopped napping and almost a year on and I’m still in denial! By the end I was having to push him around in the pram.for nearly an hour to get him to go to sleep and it just wasn’t worth it anymore xx #thelist
Wendy recently posted…SafeDreams cot wrap and baby soft toy review
Popping back from #marvmondays.. you’re the post before me xx
Wendy recently posted…#BlogCrush linky – Week 1
Oh it a harsh realisation isn’t it. My eldest gave hers up somewhere before two! The youngest is 19 months and still napping. He loves sleep so I am hoping we have a while to go yet. Thanks for joining us at #familyfun xx
Tammymum recently posted…The Perfect Family Holiday; Is There Such A Thing?
Our little one is also 2 1/2 but still wants a nap depending on what’s he’s been up to! Other days he’s got no intention at all but some days he is quite happy! This has now gone on for about 6 months! So we’re in a happy / unhappy limbo 😂😂 #DreamTeam
James Hopes recently posted…Are My Children Trump Supporters?
My son is 17 months, and I think he may be nearly there 🙁 He will usually miss his afternoon nap on a Friday at nursery, and if we are out and about he can often cope without one. Thankfully I don’t think he’s quite there yet – he still often shows us how tired he is at 3pm! I don’t know how I’ll cope when I don’t have my afternoon nap time coffee break!
#TheListLinky
Oh no, fingers crossed he’ll keep it going a while longer yet x
I must admit i felt a pang of disaster when I read your first paragraph as it is SO super similar to two posts i wrote a few weeks ago about my being ‘in mourning’ that my sons nap time ‘was no more’ but I think maybe our writing style is just so similar… fingers crossed! Such a great writing subject mater too… its a sad sad time when nap times fade away! When n earth will I get anything done!? <3 #globalblogging
Really? I’ll have to take a look. I guess the mourning feeling must be a common one when it comes to losing naps, suddenly losing 14 hours a week certainly makes it hard to get anything done! Although I’ve got a post coming up next week about the positive side of it, always looking for a silver lining x
Great post. Love the bit about waking grumpy then having to do the school run…ugh! Can so relate. Completely mortifying dragging them to school wailing! My 2 and a quarter year old is still napping, I’m desperate to keep it going but I know it’ll be all over too soon 😩 And he’s started waking early so I fear this is a bad sign (cue denial!)
Oh no, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you x
We took my son’s dummy away and that same day he dropped his naps… double whammy! #ablogginggoodtime
Argh, nightmare. At least it was all over with in one go though. I still haven’t plucked up the courage to take away her dummy yet.
My son wants to drop his afternoon nap and I don’t think I’m ready just yet…lol but all these signs are so true he really doesn’t enjoy his nap as he once did #dreamteam
I think you have got the warning (?) signs down to a T. Especially the bit about them starting to not sleep through the night. We couldn’t wait for Little Button to ditch the naps as it made being out and about a look easier. Thank you for sharing with the #dreamteam and good luck with your new schedule! xx
Annette, 3 Little Buttons recently posted…Inspire Me – Bridie By The Sea
Charley is 18 months so i hold hope i have another 12 months of afternoon naps from her and harry is 4 and i can still get him to have a nap with a bit of gentle persuasion. Thanks for linking up to #Postsfromtheheart
At 4? Wow, what’s your secret? I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that Charley follows in her brother’s footsteps x
Hehe this post has been playing on my mind since I read it the first time as I’ve been trying to work out whether my toddler is ready to give up her nap yet (nooo!). Thankfully, she still seems pretty grumpy if she misses it at the moment, so hopefully we’ve got a few more months yet… *fingers crossed* #blogcrush
Lucy At Home recently posted…BlogCrush #01: Fri 17th February
Oh no. I’ll keep everything crossed for you!
The reason we found out that I was ready to drop naps is that I coped ok when I skipped them! Also it was worse if my parents forced me to have one. Occasionally I still drop off in the car as I find it relaxing x#dreamteam
Baby Isabella recently posted…Silent Sunday 19.02.17
Ha ha, I love a little nap in the car myself (not when I’m driving obviously 🙄) x