3 Year Old - Sleep

My kids are the same age... and it is rough! I've been there, so I feel your pain! :)

I put my youngest in a pack-n-play in my bedroom and let our 3 yr old have his room to himself. That way, at least the youngest can get some sleep! Now my oldest understands that it is quiet time... reading, playing quietly, etc. Most of the time he sleeps, he ends up playing in his room for about an hour and then will fall asleep. I've noticed that he is in a better mood too if he has some quiet time to himself. Good luck with everything! I hope this helps!

I can't wait to see the responses you get. I am in a "same-but-different" situation right now. My son (3 in September) desperately needs his afternoon nap, and is always good about taking it, but is a terrible night sleeper. I have tried cutting back his afternoon nap, in an attempt to get him to go to bed earlier and it only makes matters worse. He is not a happy camper if he does not get his sleep!!! Good luck to you. R..

There are several things to consider or try;

*Look into diet. Believe it or not, diet can be a major contributor to irritable behavior and even lack of sleep.

*Up his physical activity in the morning. Maybe he's not getting enough exercise to tire him all out. Get him to run around in the yard, buy a soccer ball and make him volley it as you and he walk to the nearest park to play with it, and make him volley it back home. Eat lunch then nap.

*Some kids need soothing instead of more activities. Perhaps a warm bath, warm milk, room darkening blinds or curtains, and some sort of white noise or soothing sounds (like a nature cd) or classical music.

*Some kids do outgrow naps, and then going the "quiet-time" route is a good alternative. Try stretching or mat exercises to help him relax and settle-down. Read a quiet soothing story to him, or just ask him to lie quietly on his bed for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Allow him to look at books or to color. Avoid tv if you can. It's too stimulating. Even more mellow kids programs. If you encourage picture books or just having them lay still with their eyes closed, sometimes they go to sleep on their own because the pressure is off. At the very least, he will wind down, and maybe learn to self-soothe and relax on his own.

Last but not least, check out "Sleepless in America" by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. It is a book about kids with trouble night sleeping, but I think all of her recommendations can still apply here. The book will go into the diet and recommendations if you're interested in what to do there.

Good luck!

Jess,
I SO understand your frustration!
I have a 3 year old and 1 year old. My 3 year old is doing the same thing. She naps only once a week now, and is terrible from 4-7 on the days she doesn't. But, today she napped for 1 1/2 hours and she just fell asleep and it's 1030! Ugh. They get you on either end, don't they?!

My kids have their own rooms, so I enforce quiet time. She has to stay in her room for 1 1/2 hours. At first I allowed her to play quietly. Now we are working on staying in bed with books. It's working ok, although she still gets out of her room alot and I don't really get a break. SIGH.

I guess I just want to say "you are not alone!" And, if you can set up a tent, make a tent, have him go in your room....anything to have him have a quiet time so you can get a break!

Can he nap in a different room or on the couch?? My now 3 year old will nap on our bed after we let her watch a little bit of a movie, or will sleep in her bed if she falls asleep in the car and we carry her in. My oldest girl, when she was this age would fall asleep on the couch.

I assume you need naps right now too...will the 3 year old snuggle in bed with you to take a nap?? Will a car ride or walk before nap help him fall asleep??