[loveajax]

DD just transitioned this week from my SIL's house where she napped every day (she was going 3 days/week) to the Y preschool/extended care (where she did not nap today or Tuesday).

The teacher said a lot of the older kids do not nap and the younger kids (like DD) don't want to "miss out on the action." But DD is a bananahead if she doesn't get at least an hour nap/day. When we picked her up tonight, she was a zombie.

If your toddler goes to day care/preschool, does he or she still nap?

[McNally720]

MAM is still a big napper at daycare--I'd give your daughter a few days to get the hang of the routine. Does everyone have to lay down for a certain amount of time? At MAM's center, everyone has to lay down (lights are off) at a particular time. As they transition out of nap, they are able to bring books to their cot, but it's definitely a quiet time for all.

Maybe she'll fall asleep tomorrow--out of sheer exhaustion!

[loveajax]

Thanks, Michelle....I'm not sure exactly what the heck they do at naptime...I am going to ask the teacher to try to push the nap a little more. (I wish I could nap during the day myself!!!!).

[kelceesmom]

Kelcee still naps at her preschool. If she doesn't she is terrible when I pick her up. It took about 2-3 weeks to get back into her naps when she started. I think part of it was it was all new to her and she was a little scared. I bet she will start back into soon.

[loveajax]

thanks, denise...i really am hoping it's the "transition" thing and not a "permanent" thing!

[kelceesmom]

I know I would hate to have her give up naps altogether. When she is home with me she will still take anywhere from a 1-3 hour nap. Lots of time for me to relax also! LOL Good luck.

[megaphonemo]

Good Thread!! The bean is 2.5, and there have been some changes at home with baby cakes arrival, and in part we thought that might be the cause of the not wanting to nap at school... Teachers were reporting that not only was she not sleeping, she was getting up and bugging the other kids... So it was stressing them out too. They suggested we "talk to her about it" and, I gotta tell you - I laughed at reasoning with her... BUT....

We talked about it - you need to take a nap like all the other kids, you can have fun when you wake up, and all the bigger kids like (insert names of just slightly older kids at daycare that she likes a lot) ... and.... it worked. Reports are the she has been napping every day since...

Who'da thunk you could talk it out with a 2.5 year old??

Weekends are another story altogether, and she usually zonks out in the car while running errands... Thank god!

Mega

[loveajax]

Mega, thanks for the advice. I am cracking up, thinking about trying to "reason" with DD. But I will TRY! I hate that she's so tired when we pick her up.

Congrats on your new babycakes too!! I hope you are holding up Ok and getting some sleep yourself!

[GCS]

My kids go to the same school but are in different grades - Kindergarten and Pre3. Even the Kindergarten room naps. Not all kids sleep but there is quiet time on cots with blankets. My son always falls asleep.

DD is 3.5 and her whole class naps together. She usually just lays there and plays quietly.

I am surprised they have older and younger kids together during nap time. I would give it some time and let the teacher know you really want her to nap to see if she falls into a pattern there.

[loveajax]

Thank you, GCS....I thought the older/younger kids thing was weird too....

But in any event, DD took a really long nap yesterday!!! I was thrilled. She was a human when we picked her up! I hope it carries over to next week....Thank you all for your thoughts/advice.

[snaps]

Jessica is a big napper at home - usually 2-3 hours. I work 2 1/2 days per week so on the days she is at daycare/preschool she naps, but only 1-2 hours and they take naps way earlier in the day than we usually do on days at home. She is usually a little tired in the evening on the days she goes to school, but I am usually able to get her to sleep easier.