Nap Time

Arianna is getting to be a big girl, very independent and mature. This has mostly been a positive experience, with the exception of recent nap time power struggles. Sometimes she just isn't sleepy in the afternoon, so we skip nap time -- no big deal -- she goes to bed a little earlier.

But sometimes she's exhausted and miserable, acting naughty and crying constantly, and she still refuses to take a nap. We weren't sure quite how to handle this. (And we left Elizabeth Pantley's "The No Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers" at the other house!) What do you do when your kid refuses something they very clearly need?

The article link gave us a nice understanding about why Arianna is struggling with naps, and some good strategies to help. We decided to use some "quiet rest time" each day. It seems to help her unwind and prepare for a nap, if needed. It also gives us a break so we don't get too snappy with her.

The long-term consequences don't seem to work well with her. She lives too much in the moment to care about what might happen after dinner!

We hope that you find the article useful if you ever encounter a similar situation!

Andrew and Rebecca