So how do you get your 2nd child to nap, while your toddler is running around?

LIAngel · September 2011

I'm trying to figure out the best way to put Ava down for her naps when Nicholas is awake (like for her morning nap). She is still not on a nap schedule yet (she gets up at different times every morning, so the rest of the day goes by that). I can't bring N upstairs with me while trying to put her down, cause he'll just distract her. Ava is such a nosey body, that even if Nicholas was just sitting on her floor playing quietly she'll just watch him and not want to go to sleep (even if she is tired- like she'll close her eyes and as soon as she gets wind that he's in the room, she'll watch him).

emiannie · September 2011

I don't have #2 yet, but what if you put on his favorite TV show/movie and let him watch while you put her down. He'd be in one room, hopefully sitting quietly, enjoying his show while you get Ava to sleep. That's what I do when I shower and it's just me and him at home.

Hope that helps some...despite not having been in your shoes yet.

laura1 · September 2011

emiannie:
I don't have #2 yet, but what if you put on his favorite TV show/movie and let him watch while you put her down. He'd be in one room, hopefully sitting quietly, enjoying his show while you get Ava to sleep. That's what I do when I shower and it's just me and him at home.

This is what we do. When DS was younger (and less trustworthy, not that he is all that trustworthy now, but better than he was!) he would go in the pnp or super yard in front of the TV with Sesame Street on, and a bunch of toys in there to keep him busy.

Now that DD is only taking 1 nap a day (at the same time as DS - YAY!), she goes in the pnp and DS sits on the couch watching Sesame while I shower. Sometimes, if I have a lot to do and I am worried about DS roaming around, I set up both the super yard and pnp, put DS in the super yard and DD in the PNP. I can't put them both together - I tried this once and had to come running when I heard DD screaming. I found DS sitting on her like she was a chair while he was watching Sesame and she was struggling to get up. I haven't done it again!

Cajun_gal · September 2011

I give Dylan my iphone and he sits in the room while I get Braylon down for a nap. I guess with the white noise machine and me shushing him and holding him where he can't see Dylan is enough? I'm not sure what I'd do otherwise. Good luck!

LIAngel · September 2011

Yes I could put him in front of the tv and have no problems with that. The problem would be, that I would have to leave him downstairs. if I brought him upstairs and put that tv on, he would just follow me into her room. This is what I have been doing: Most of the time, Ava will be ready for her AM nap right around the time he is wrapping up bkfst. So I'll leave him strapped in his booster and leave the tv on. But there are some mornings where he didn't want to eat, so I'll just leave him to play downstairs, watch tv. That's the part that I'm not thrilled with- he's usually good and doesn't get into anything, but you never know.

I guess maybe I could put him back in the booster, strap him in and have him watch tv- but sometimes he throws a fit and won't let me put him in it.

laura1 · September 2011

Will he climb out of a PNP or super yard https://www.amazon.com/North-States-Superyard-Classic-Gate/dp/B00020L78M ?

My DS is small so he hasn't done it yet, but if Nicholas would stay in one, that could be a solution (I throw a ton of toys in with him, in addition to turning on the TV)!

laura&dan05 · September 2011

I put DD in the high chair with the tv on or books or crayons or toys and a snack while I take DS upstairs and get him down for a nap. The process takes about 10 minutes and she's totally fine and knows the drill.

LisaMarisa · September 2011

I put DS in front of the TV if I have to do something upstairs, like put DD down for a nap. If he needs me, he'll come up and get me.

LIAngel · September 2011

laura1:
Will he climb out of a PNP or super yard https://www.amazon.com/North-States-Superyard-Classic-Gate/dp/B00020L78M ?
My DS is small so he hasn't done it yet, but if Nicholas would stay in one, that could be a solution (I throw a ton of toys in with him, in addition to turning on the TV)!

I don't think he'd climb out of a PNP, but we haven't lowered the mattress yet for Ava. She still lays in the bassinet part.

We don't have a Superyard and it would look like a giant eyesore in my small family room.

LIAngel · September 2011

laura&dan05:
I put DD in the high chair with the tv on or books or crayons or toys and a snack while I take DS upstairs and get him down for a nap. The process takes about 10 minutes and she's totally fine and knows the drill.

This sounds like the best idea.

MayDayGirl · September 2011

if you can't have him in the room or same level as Ava, can you just ask him to stay downstairs and play quietly? Or read books. It probably won't work great the first time or two, but we are big on "training" brighton how to do what we expect of him by practicing lots. Make it a game, "see how long he can stay on the couch" etc.. things like that.

LIAngel · September 2011

MayDayGirl:

if you can't have him in the room or same level as Ava, can you just ask him to stay downstairs and play quietly? Or read books. It probably won't work great the first time or two, but we are big on "training" brighton how to do what we expect of him by practicing lots. Make it a game, "see how long he can stay on the couch" etc.. things like that.

This is also a great suggestion. Thanks!

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