3 YO Refusing to Nap and Says "I don't like you" ?????

shorty6788

So, I watch my 3 YO stepson during the week. Recently, he has started refusing to nap.  However, he gets really cranky if he doesn't nap, so I'm pretty adamant that he naps.  Any tips on how to get him down with ease? 

He has, also, gotten into a stage where he will tell you he doesn't like you if you are telling him to do something that he doesn't want to do.  Not even just that, but he will tell me that he doesn't like his 6 MO sister anymore and doesn't want the new baby to come, either.  Is there anything I can do to change this attitude?  I'm almost to the point where it hurts me so much (when it comes to his siblings) that I don't want him over anymore unless its the weekend where he sleeps over to spend time with daddy.

scaneiki

Sounds like typical 3yo behavior.  My 3yo doesn't always take a nap and he's trying to explore his place so sometimes he says he doesn't like me, his sister, DH, etc.

honeybee111

DD just turned 3, but she's been saying "No like you" for a couple of months now.  It's always during a tantrum, and she always feels bad afterwards when we talk about it.  Try not to take it personally - he's not old enough to express/control his emotions(anger, frustration, etc.) appropriately.  I'm sure your other children will be acting in a similar manner when they are 3.

As far as napping, DD still takes a good 2 hour nap each day.  Like yours, she really NEEDS the nap.  There was one day where she didn't want to nap, and I told her that was fine, but she had to read/play quietly in her bed.  I watched her on the monitor and she entertained herself and then passed out after about 30 min. 

magdusia

my 3 y/o stopped napping the week he turned 3. He was a bit cranky at first so he gets to have relax time for an hour to two. Usually in front of the TV and in our bed. So he's away from everyone and alone. There are times where he falls asleep and other times he'll just come downstairs after an hour and he's in a good mood.. I think just relaxing and not running around is what's important for a 3 y/o. There are times where all fails and it's just a bad day for everyone. When he tells me he doesn't like me i pretend to cry and within 2 seconds he loves me and hugs me. it's just all an emotional state. I have caught him trying to punch my 1 y/o and he gets into a lot of trouble and there are times he wants to play with him non-stop.

susan1017

Dont over think it. He is expressing anger at you in that moment. He has no concept that what he is feeling at the moment will pass. If you are feeding into it by making a big deal and trying to change his mind you will go crazy.

Quiet time might work better at this age as well. Say something like "I know you dont want to nap and that you are angry with me now. You'll feel better after some rest. You have to go to bed for 45 minutes with a book and have some quiet time if you dont want to sleep fine, but you must rest."

Nine times out of ten he will fall asleep but it will be on his terms if he isnt being 'forced' to sleep. 45minutes in bed with a book trust me he will get bored and fall asleep.

Good luck!