How to transition from nap to quiet time?

vlagrl29

I'm very depressed because I think DD is trying to drop her 1 nap.  It's become such a struggle lately, but I still need a break!  I tried putting her in her room today and shutting the door explaining that she needed to do quiet time but she refused and kept opening her bedroom door.  What makes quiet time easier for your preschooler?

LoveBeingMama

Does she know what she's supposed to do? You may need to model it for her. Show her how to look through books, show her what toys she can play with, etc. I would start quiet time with her for a few days until she gets used to it on her own.

bumpuser8448316

I got DS a quiet box that he only got to have during quiet time. That worked for a few months. When it stopped working I re structured his day so that he got tv/iPad time at quiet time. Most of the time though, quiet time was him constantly asking if I was okay to get up yet. He has always gone to bed early though so I just powered through to bedtime.

dizzycooks

I am dreading when we move to quiet time.  That's all.

I agree though, you probably need to model what her choices are.

catycate

My kid dropped his nap early, so he was still in the crib (18 months), so he just knew he had to stay in there. Now I let him pick out a toy from the playroom and go. If he's having a good rest time, I will bring in another toy at the hour mark. He still comes out but it's usually just for a quick comment and then he goes back with out a fuss.

vlagrl29

Thanks for the advice ladies!  I think I will model it for her and give her options and start slow.  She probably doesn't know what to do.  Luckily, she will be at my mom's today.  I'm so behind on stuff it stresses me out. DD needs lots of attention from me and rarely self entertains.  I'm so glad preschool will be starting next month, I only wish we could afford for her to go 2 full days a week instead of 2 half days.  I own my own business and I still need time to catch up on it which is what I'm doing today.  Without this break I fear what little time I will have to do it.

vlagrl29

I will definitely make her go to bed earlier if she doesn't nap anymore.

zbeesma86

DD is 2 and sits in her bed for and hour and half. She is on a nap strike! The only positive thing is she goes to bed early and actually falls asleep right away instead of an hour later.

We've had quiet time on pool days when we come home and it's too late to nap. She lays on the couch with her blanket and stuffed owl and watches a show or Frozen. Sometimes she dozes off, others she just lays and chills out.