When Are Kids Big Enough to Skip Their Afternoon Nap?

If you're set on providing a consistent nap so that you get a break (and I'm right there with you), the best advice that I can offer is to try to change her naptime to see where her window for sleep is. Most days my 3 1/2 year old takes a nap from 1:00-3:00. If I make it much earlier, he fights it, and if it's 1:30, he fights it too. When I put him down, we have a sleep routine just like bedtime with stories. I also tell him that he can choose to sleep or stay in his bed and look at books, but that it's quiet time and he has to stay in his room and be quiet. 99 times out of 100 he falls asleep within 15 minutes. Good luck!

It does depend on the child.. In daycare they will have a quiet time.. they can sleep or they can lay quietly. Usually 1 hour to hour and a half.

Toddlers do not want to feel like they are missing out on anything.. If it is daylight in their rooms and they can hear the TV and cell phones going, people talking outside, they think there is a party they are missing out on..

They need a naptime routine just like night time.. have a quiet lunch, wash up with warm water on their hands and faces, quiet voices, story maybe with a back rub.. then nap time.. or at least just laying in their rooms listening to a book on CD.. EVERY day even the weekends.. Kids love schedules..

Also children need ACTIVE play .. Once in the morning and again in the afternoon.. again for an hour or an hour and a half.. There is just so much energy in those little bodies that they need to use up..

If all they do in the morning is play quietly, sit in a grocery cart and then come home for lunch.. they have not had a chance to get rid of any of that energy.. Of course where we live kids can go outside almost every day, so it is probably easier for us to "run our kids" than it will if you all are inside because of weather.. Maybe put on music and dance, maybe do some Simon says, hopping, jumping, etc.. Have them ride heir trikes outside..

whenever they stop napping~ is the short answer. Every kid is different.

when they stop resting during nap time and are eager to get out. usually around 3 or 4. but it doesn't sound like that's your daughter's problem. you need to teach her to be okay without being glued to you. completely separate issue.
khairete
S.

My son didn't take naps from 2 1/2. Teach her to color by herself. Start with coloring (or any activity) with you there then tell her you have to fold laundry (or another activity within hearing/talking) and you will be right back and continue talking to her. If she gets snippy or angry or starts acting out there is always sitting in a chair facing the wall until that goes away. They don't have to stay long - until they apologize which should be about 5 minutes. Make sure they mean it. I don't think 2 1/2 - 3 years old is to young to do this. they understand discipline and what the rules or boundaries are.

Don't let your child take over your life. You are the parent - it is your household - you pay the rent, electricity, etc. They need to know they are loved but there is such a thing as boundaries.

N.

I'm with Amanda. Each kid is different. My oldest napped until 4, my youngest right at 3. I was actually glad when she did b/c it freed up so much of my "trying to get her sleep" time. Now she'll just kick it with Nick Jr. and some fruit snacks. :)

My kids.... nap.

My son is now 4...and naps everyday. Without battle. If he does not nap, he turns into a TROLL. Or gets very naughty... being overtired.

My daughter who is 8.... will still nap.... if/when she is tired.

It is just our routine... since they have been infants.

I would say whatever age they start Kindergarten...because when they start school they will have to get used to not taking naps. Good luck!

I agree that all kids are different and that the phasing out of naps is often gradual. I have two that are sleep fighters and have found that there is indeed a "window" of easier time and if I miss it it is much harder to get them to sleep. Also the activity thing - these kids are high energy and need more action to tire them out. My youngest is almost 2 and napping is getting to be a struggle. We are in Washington where it rains a lot but there is an indoor pool, toddler gym times etc. and we get outside as much as possible as long as it isn't too rainy or freezing. She is getting big for it but I still sometimes hold her in a sling and "dance" with her - it seems to calm her and help her fall asleep. Still there are days where I have spent more time trying to get her to nap than she actually sleeps. At 2 she doesn't understand "quiet time" very well, so that concept isn't working for me yet... Lately we've resorted to skipping some naps due to traveling and she went to bed earlier (at like 7:30) so I get my quiet time then. But I still try and keep to the daily nap routine for as long as possible.

The "clinginess" thing could be due to many factors. My oldest was a real "mamas girl" and hated to be in a room by herself. However she was more easy going and didn't require as much effort to get to nap. The second and third ones are more independent but also more active and really fight going to sleep. Once they do sleep they are sound sleepers.

Good luck...

I have the same problem with my 2 year old son. He stays up all night, and he fights sleep too. Ever since he jumped his crib, and got him a toddler bed it has been a nightmare. I need advice too! What do other moms do?

Mine lost it at about 18- 20 months for the long period of time after that they went to one late in the day then 3 hit they nolonger took a nap only wheny they were having a growth spurt under the weather or there tired with a busy day.Now my 4 yr old today only naps a few times a month since she was 31/2 my 22 month old I have to lay her down she is grouchy.

It was at my kid's 5 year check-ups that the doctor said this was the age they will start phasing them out. I do believe all kids are different though and some may transition younger. At 2 though, I would still make them nap (movie time works great!). Whether you let her grow out of it or make a transition with her, it is your choice. Personally, I have done the crying it out method but not at 2. It worked successfully after 2 nights. Good luck with your decision :)

my oldest napped until he was 4 1/2yr old. my middle child napped until 5 1/2 yrs old he stopped a couple of days before kindergarten started. my youngest is 4 1/2 yrs and will be napping until she is just about to start kindergarten.
i would put her in room and let her scream put gates over the door so she cant get out. it will probably take about 4-5 days of her screaming. dont give in. sorry but of course she doesnt want to nap. she is the kid. its up to us to come up with a consistent schedule for our kids. right now she thinks she is in control. you need to be in control. i would start this tomorrow. its not fun but i am one that thinks children needs naps and consistenty. good luck.