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Two Under 2
XP: Quiet time with siblings sharing a room
My two share a room. Up until recently we'd had the baby napping in the bassinet in the other room so the toddler would have access to his room while she napped. She's getting too big for that though so now she naps in their bedroom.My older one is maybe thinking about dropping a nap soon. I want to institute some sort of quiet time policy so that I continue to get a break and he can sleep if he needs to but we're not fighting about it. He's currently playing quietly in the living room and watching TV while the baby sleeps and I clean the kitchen etc.I'm wondering if I should allow quiet time to be in the main living space as he moves away from a nap or if that reduces the chances of him napping. I wouldn't want him playing in the bedroom while the baby is sleeping, but maybe he could have books in his bed only? But then I can't keep the room dark... I'm at a loss.He's in a toddler bed if it matters.Also, today he slept in until 10:15 (normally wakes at 6 or 7) so I'm planning on no nap, but it made me think about the future.
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Re: XP: Quiet time with siblings sharing a room
I'm in a similar situation. DD is 2.5 and only really naps maybe twice a week, the rest of the time she just plays, walks around her room, etc. When she was in her room alone, we had a few books and stuffed animals for her.
We have since moved DS (1.5 yrs) in with DD about a month ago, and we took OUT all the books/toys, because it was found that they played the "throw in the crib, out of the crib" game. The first few days resulted in no naps for either of them. Since then, DS has gotten used to DD walking around his crib / resting in her bed, and sleeps about 45-60 minutes for nap time. It's NOT ideal (he used to nap 1.5-2 hrs), but it's better than nothing.
Even if DD doesn't nap, and even if DS only naps for one hour, they are in their room for a minimum of 2 hrs a day, so that I can get a rest/break too.
Also, we tried the "quiet time in the living room" thing for DD (hoping DS would nap better alone) but it backfired for DD. She stayed quiet and still for like 3 minutes, and it was more work to keep firm about how she needs to be quiet and sit on the couch, it wasn't worth it. The next day, we put them in the same room for nap/quiet time again.
Oh, and we keep the room dark, even when DD was by herself and had a couple books. Her eyes get used to it, and she could see despite the light being off.
To summarize (lol, didn't mean for it to be this long), we put them in the same room, lights off, no toys or books at all, for 2 hrs a day. Sometimes they both nap, usually just DS for a short while, but it gives them quiet time and me a break.
Also, I always said my kids would have quiet time for a bit of the day (in their room) until they went to kindergarten, since I know I need that quiet time too.
When my 2 shared (we separated them when DD was just over 18 months old), DD used to nap in the pnp in my room, while DS napped in his room.
At this point, my DS doesn't really nap either. If my 2 were still sharing, I would probably have him do his quiet time in my room - with some books, toys etc on my bed. I know my sister did this when her 2 shared a room, but her DD was older (4.5-5yo) and very responsible. I am not sure how my DS would react if he was left alone in my bedroom. There is not much to get into in there, but you never know what they can dig up!
Good luck!