I have a 20-month-old son and recently went through this phase of wondering if he was ready to end naptime or at least one of his naps during the day. Some days he could sail right through the day without missing a beat, having only one nap. Other days you would just know he really needed that nap he didn’t take. I debated it for awhile, trying one nap some days, both naps other days and quickly came to the conclusion that the only thing I was accomplishing was throwing all sense of routine out the window. At that point, it became impossible to distinguish the effects of a lack of a nap or the effects of the lack of routine.
I decided on a compromise. We would have scheduled morning and afternoon quiet times. He is not required to go to sleep, but does have to have down time for an hour. If he falls asleep and quiet time lasts longer than an hour – all the better as his body probably needed it.
This works great for me too because if I didn’t sleep too well the previous night, I know I have a nap coming. J It also works as a designated time block for me to do some writing, planning, reading, quiet thinking, etc. Things it is sometimes hard to do with an active toddler!
For the most part it has worked out reasonably well. On the occasion he is not tired enough to sleep, he will usually occupy himself with a toy or two, or will “read” one of his board books. When he tends to fight the whole concept is usually when he really needs the nap and though it could take a bit, he’ll fall asleep (and everyone is much happier afterwards!).
Having the morning and afternoon quiet times at a designated time each day also lends a lot of structure to our days, which tends to be beneficial in lots of areas. We aren’t tied to a schedule other than the quiet times though and the day is usually filled with lots of free play and fun.
I’m handwriting this during morning quiet time even as I realize last night was one of those nights that I didn’t get enough sleep, my son is in the other room (quiet for the moment), the pup is snoozing, and the house is for the most part very quiet. My mind isn’t though and the thoughts need to be written down before they escape me. I reach for the pad and paper, putting off the nap for now.
The “designated” quiet time is at an end, but it appears that my son may have drifted off to sleep… meaning I may catch a little shut eye as well….
Oh, no…. it’s not going to happen. As I put the pen and paper aside, lay my head down and close my eyes, I hear what equates to, “Mom…. Can I get up now?”
