https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:21:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866840 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 21:08:13 +0000 Foodnerd81 2866840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: I really can't- big sister has activities in the afternoon so if she went down for a nap later, I'd have to wake her up and be running around rushing. Not really worth changing the entire schedule around when I know she is going to drop her nap soon enough anyway. But that's true- I remember that working with my older daughter for a while, until it started messing with her night sleep instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866838 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 20:23:37 +0000 Ms. RV 2866838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried moving the time? DD wouldn't nap at home starting a couple months before she turned 3, but then when she went to 3yo room at daycare, her naptime was an hour later. Suddenly, she started to nap 95% of the time (daycare and home) and had been for five months now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866723 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:36:14 +0000 Foodnerd81 2866723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Almost an hour (what I set her clock for) and some whining and pulling at the door but no real crying! Now she’s just reading a book in her rocking chair. That went better than I expected. </p> [attach=2307/19/ple14e.338x600.0BED52A3-595A-4F62-A637-3C0F74DE79DE.png] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866687 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:49:58 +0000 Foodnerd81 2866687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, today I gave her the new Ok to Wake clock and am letting her stay in her room, with the door closed, doorknob cover on, and told her she can play with these toys, look at books, and if she gets tired she can lay in the bed in there or on the floor. (We already have a twin bed in there because we it came with the house when we bought it, so we use it to read on at bedtime.) </p> <p>She’s already called out that she’s done but no crying. The way her video monitor is located I can’t see her all the time but can see her wandering back and forth. I guess the side is coming off the crib sooner than later now. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866615 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 09:38:41 +0000 MrsADS 2866615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is 3y4m and naps about 50% of the time at home (maybe 10% of the time at daycare). He needs the nap and is a beast by 3pm on non nap days, but I know this is part of the nap dropping process.</p> <p>He is in a toddler bed, his room is childproofed, and I have a doorknob cover so he can't open his door (this is more because he would totally wander the house at 3am if given the opportunity). </p> <p>On days when he doesn't nap, he plays with his stuffed animals and usually pulls about 50 books off his bookshelf and reads them. I don't leave him too long, maybe an hour max. But I do have the lights off and white noise on to encourage rest time/sleep if possible. </p> <p>We also have a video monitor so I watch him while he's in there and go up if he's destroying something or whatever. We went through a period recently where he pulled all the clothes out of his dresser all over the floor. So I put the clothes in another bedroom and he got very upset. I gave him another chance and since then he has left them alone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866592 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 08:38:21 +0000 caitcat 2866592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went through big nap struggles right around 3 too with my older daughter (now just turned 4). She still really needed the rest time, whether she slept or not, but she totally resisted it. And by totally resisted, I mean she banged on her door if we locked it, came out fifteen times in a row if we left it open, screamed, "I won't sleep ever!!" and sobbed. It was rough! And yet if she didn't rest at all, we all suffered...so I wasn't ready to give up. </p> <p>We ended up converting her crib to a toddler bed so she could have a bit more freedom to play quietly in her room if she didn't want to sleep. I had a few boxes of toys that I rotated in and out of her room for novelty's sake during her rest time. She got oddly excited to see which box she'd get each day and it was a bit of an incentive to stay in and play. I also started playing lullabies quietly in her room instead of running her white noise like I had during naptime so she'd think it was something new and different. After a few weeks of a rough transition to it, we got in a pretty good routine and she'd end up playing for about half an hour before getting herself in bed and falling asleep more often than not. I was glad we were able to get some kind of routine to work because she really needs it on preschool days at this stage. She gets so cranky still if she doesn't have the down time. </p> <p>I hope you find something that works well for you guys soon. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866567 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 23:56:50 +0000 Foodnerd81 2866567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: we do actually have a door knob cover inside her room- after she unfortunately locked herself<br /> In the room and we had to take the entire knob off, we put the cover on to cover up the lock. I forgot that. And to your point she will be out of the crib sometime soonish anyway. But she has hardly any toys in her room beyond what’s in her crib now anyway. And her monitor and sound machine are on a high shelf with a cord I’m nervous she could get at. I’ll have to take a look since as you said, it’s going to Happen at some point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866561 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 22:51:07 +0000 DesertDreams88 2866561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: my original thought about the crib was bc she's 3 and going to have to move out the crib soon anyway just based on common sense... I mean, are there really lots of 4 year olds and 5 year olds in cribs? The longer a person goes, the harder a habit is to break, I imagine. The switch will have to happen at some point so why not now? </p> <p>But then @Foodnerd81: added more detail about needing to childproof the room more and the room being at the top of the stairs. I didn't think of those aspects bc all our rooms are very childproofed AND we have a doorknob protector on the inside of LOs door so he can't let himself out. Way back 10 months ago, before the doorknob protector, he let himself out and played for 20 minutes unsupervised sooooo .... nah.</p> <p> And I would hate confining my awake kid to a crib for a 45-60min rest period, given the description in the original post. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866528 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 20:51:18 +0000 Foodnerd81 2866528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@My Only Sunshine: I forgot I bought her an OK to Wake clock a few weeks ago when it was on sale on Amazon! We have one for her sister that I agree- it's very powerful. DEFINITELY busting that out tomorrow. </p> <p>@wrkbrk: She responds somewhat to direct bribes, but I don't think she has quite grasped the delayed thing- you get this prize after so many stickers. More like, be good now and you get this treat right away. She is also powerfully motivated by M&amp;Ms... got us past her post constipation related poop issues :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866526 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 20:44:31 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2866526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 5 year old still does quiet time on days she’s home. And my 2.5 year old just started refusing naps a couple months ago so he has to try for a nap and then I let him do quiet time. We do lights on, a pile of books, and some special toys that are only for quiet time. For my daughter that’s all her Barbie stuff and some art supplies. For my son it’s a Cars rug and a big bin of hot wheels and several puzzles. </p> <p>We use the OK to Wake clock that turns green when nap time is over. That thing is great. They know I set it but still somehow it seems to have this magical power they never try to argue over - “Sorry, I know you want to come out but your clock isn’t green yet. Bummer. See you later!”</p> <p>We’ve also had good luck with those story books with the CD that chimes when it’s time to turn the page. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866514 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 20:12:12 +0000 wrkbrk 2866514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Ah that’s tough. Mine responds well to materialism lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866510 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 20:01:18 +0000 Foodnerd81 2866510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: she doesn’t respond to sticker charts the way her sister has. I could try again. But that’s another reason I don’t want to lose the crib for night time! I actually had to get really serious about a sticker chart and prizes to keep my FIVE year old in bed this summer. After two weeks straight of staying in bed all night, she got a new unicorn comforter. But if she had earned 4 checks and came out on the fifth night it was back to zero. Tough but it works and she broke the habit and now rarely, but still occasionally, comes out. </p> <p>I think I will show her the doc comforter and let her earn stickers towards it with good quiet times. Maybe out of the crib I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866509 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 19:57:50 +0000 Foodnerd81 2866509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To answer some of the questions- yes she knows big sister does quiet time too. I’ve been letting big sister do her quiet time in the playroom (which is an extra bedroom upstairs near their bedrooms). I can’t have them both in there because they will wind each other up so I may have to force big sis to do it in her bedroom too. For now it’s a provilege that she earns when she is behaving well and cleans up after herself. Probably I can just let her choose special things from the playroom to bring into her room. </p> <p>I really don’t want to let them just watch tv for it. For one thing- they will be together and winding each other up. I guess I could give them their kindle fires but even that, I’m sure she would be whining for me to change the show or whatever. And they get enough screen time as is. Big sister has learned to play by herself during quiet time and I really don’t want to lose that- and if I let one watch something thenother will have to too. </p> <p>So yes I’m thinking about letting her stay out of the crib during quiet time. I have a bit more childproofing to do in there but it’s doable. I don’t really want to lose the crib for night time yet since she isn’t complaining about that, her room is near the top of the stairs and we don’t have a gate there any more (when she is awake she is perfectly fine on them but I’d be nervous if she came out disoriented and sleepy), and she sleeps really well at night and stays in her crib playing quietly until I notice her noises most mornings. </p> <p>I just remembered i got a doc mcstuffins comforter on super clearance. Maybe I’ll let her have that only for quiet time. Bribes are good... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866505 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 19:33:44 +0000 wrkbrk 2866505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Our kids are the exact same age and I have two words: sticker chart. We are having a similar bad phase about staying in bed overnight and a sticker chart does the trick. Six nights of staying in bed earns him six stickers and on day seven (Sunday) he gets to pick out a small toy. I wish I didn’t have to bribe and cajol but it is what it is. We don’t have to go very long. Usually two weeks will snap him back into routine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866492 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:48:45 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2866492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD dropped her naps at home at 22 months. We've been doing a combo of car naps or skipping them ever since (she turned 3 in November). We started implementing quiet time on the days she doesn't nap a couple of months ago. It has been semi-successful, though not exactly quiet. I told her that she needs to stay in her room, lights off, but opened the curtains and let her play with her toys. I knew if I gave her too many restrictions, it would set us up for failure because she wouldn't be able to be successful. I downloaded a visual hour glass app for her tablet that has different colors she can pick from. I also play instrumental music on the tablet and put it up high out of reach, but where she can see it to watch the timer. She plays, sings, "reads," yells, climbs and generally destroys her room, but usually only comes out a few times, and is usually happy. She'll go for up to about 90 minutes. Once or twice, she's actually fallen asleep. Sometimes I go in and read to her for a few minutes if she's feeling particularly needy that day. I think the key is consistency, so I'd keep at it with the quiet time idea and maybe she'll figure it out eventually. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866490 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:15:51 +0000 agold 2866490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Why do you think she needs to drop the crib? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866489 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:09:26 +0000 macintosh 2866489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS is 3.5 and he typically naps at preschool but not at home since we moved a few months ago. He won’t stay in his room but he will chill out if i give him the tablet or turn on a tv show. Then at least I can rest. :wink: </p> <p>He does just ok without the nap so we try to put him to bed early. He sometimes falls asleep in the car if we drive somewhere around 5 or 6 pm.</p> <p>@DesertDreams88: I agree about moving out of the crib. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866461 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 16:05:36 +0000 DesertDreams88 2866461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is about to turn 3. We dropped the nap 3 weeks ago. His guidelines for rest time:<br /> - Lights turned off<br /> - Curtains/blinds open<br /> - Picks out several books<br /> - Picks out one stuffed animal<br /> - Picks out one toy<br /> - Started at 20 min, then increased to 45 as he showed ability. Praised a lot for being quiet during rest time. </p> <p>I used the video monitor to talk to him at times the first couple days. </p> <p>Hate to break it to you but I think you're going to have to drop the crib. Are you waiting for a specific point to drop the crib? At least drop it for rest time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866458 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 15:56:42 +0000 Becky 2866458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My children have never been particularly good nappers for me as toddlers so I rely on stroller and car naps. Stroller naps are preferred because then I can leave them outside where I can see the stroller while I make dinner or clean inside. Now that my older daughter is 5 she doesn’t always fall asleep during stroller naps so we go to the playground then. If I don’t feel like doing a stroller nap I’ll do a car nap instead. This usually looks like timing grocery shopping for early afternoon so they fall asleep on the way home. I work FT but when I worked PT and only had the one I did the same thing. </p> <p>Do you ever do stories podcasts? My girls will at least relax and sit and listen quietly if I put them on, and will sometimes fall asleep. </p> <p>Also, does the younger one see the older one being quiet? I often get 30-45 minutes alone because they just go up to their room at the same time and “read.” </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866455 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 15:54:27 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2866455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ughhh losing the nap is a tough time for all. But I agree it’s beneficial for ALL to have that time to recharge. DS is 4 and hasn’t napped for 4-6 months but we still enforce 1.5 hours quiet time. He chooses his toys and books and actually enjoys it. He goes through phases where he wants to come out earlier or makes excuses like always having to poop midway through ha but we just stay firm. I would explain it to your child and say she can do whatever she likes but it’s a special quiet time, etc. And just stick it out. He did a phase where he would call for us or whine for another different toy and I would go in once and then say I wasn’t coming back until the time was over and that stopped it after a day or two...kind of like sleep training I guess ha! I know people who let their kid watch a movie or show on the iPad if needed, which we have done on occasion too. Recently he got a clock radio and he likes to put on music and fiddle with the stations so maybe some music would help? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866450 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 15:34:27 +0000 pachamama 2866450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son turned 3 today and I think we are entering into a very similar territory. (Also with the increased tantrums and general sassiness). Yesterday he didn't nap and I almost lost👏my👏mind. (I'm 40 weeks pregnant and NEED a break). My son is so exhausted today from not napping yesterday.... so I was thinking... What if you did something like 2 or 3 days a week she took a good nap? It seems like they can pass the tiredness on from one day to the next and you might get a nice break out of it. Granted it's not every day but at least it's something....? My friend said this is how her 3 year old naps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866445 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 15:01:37 +0000 MamaBear87 2866445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably not the popular opinion but my now 3 year old dropped her nap at 22 months. We often watch a show or movie, sometimes she gets her tablet. Mama, especially now that I'm pregnant, needs a break! Mine won't stay quietly in her room, and has a floor bed so I can't trap her in a crib. </p> <p>With yours I might try quiet time outside the crib with a blanket on the floor if she wants to lay down. </p> <p>And I'm with you, quiet time at all costs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866443 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:53:11 +0000 agold 2866443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, no! My 2.5 year old just started a nap strike two days ago. And her sleep during the night was TERRIBLE! (She has been a solid good sleep-through-the-nighter since 8 months old.) I'm dying. So I'm going to follow along here and hope someone has a magic trick! So far, she won't agree to do quiet time. She screamed bloody murder and I don't want her to wake her baby sister sleeping in the next room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866441 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:44:18 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2866441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>iPad? Haha. I stay home too and I neeeeed that afternoon break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866436 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:38:01 +0000 bhbee 2866436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes 3 is just hard!! That plus the in between napping can just be so trying. My second dropped his nap around 3 (just was not worth it to try - took forever and often failed - and it messed up bedtime). Every kid is different for sure but he got by on car catnaps and early bedtimes if needed for a while. He just turned 4 and still does that actually but less often. When my oldest went to K they both needed early bedtime so it kind of worked out. </p> <p>Could you offer quiet time outside the crib (but inside room) and put down a nap mat in case she got tired? Maybe the novelty would help keep her in there? Maybe let her choose herself what to bring in so she feels in charge? Just some ideas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866433 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:16:51 +0000 charm55 2866433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3 year old recently dropped naps over the holidays. I still need quiet time for my sanity (and my 5yo still happily has quiet time), so as it is now, both go up to their rooms and have free reign of their rooms for about an hour. I bring in a few puzzles, toy sets, blocks from the playroom to keep it interesting. After an hour they can play together... that usually gives me another 30-45 minutes. Knock on wood but so far it’s working really well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866432 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:06:47 +0000 Littlebit7 2866432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i resorted to bribing my 3.5 year old over the weekend to nap. She could choose a "treat" if she slept and she knows i can see her on the camera. She napped both saturday and sunday. According to her teachers she does NOT nap at prek (I told them to extend the bribe at school too). Yes, I have no shame. But an overtired kid is just not fun for anyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3-year-old-nap-time-quiet-time#post-2866431 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:02:55 +0000 Foodnerd81 2866431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My just turned 3 year old has been basically refusing naps most of the time for several months now. Maybe once every two weeks or so she will actually nap, the rest of the time we do “quiet time” in her crib. Since I have had to accept that even though she is obviously very tired and cranky, she won’t sleep, I have started leaving the curtains open or light on and give her a special toy to play with or books to look at. For a while, she would play or look at books for a while before fussing, but occasionally loses her mind crying. These are often the days before she finally naps again because the over tiredness catches up with her. </p> <p>However, when she is crying and whining instead of playing quietly, we all lose. Instead of resting and recharging, she’s getting more upset and tired. And I don’t get any rest or recharge. I stay at home and quiet time for both kids is my only time to catch up on chores or rest or sometimes have a coffee to reenergize. The days she’s screaming I end up more stressed too. The 5 year old still does her quiet time generally well. We have had the same routine for a long time. </p> <p>Clearly this isn’t working great, but the kids absolutely need a break from each other during the day and I absolutely need a break to catch up during the day. </p> <p>Any suggestions? She’s still in her crib but has plenty of stuffed animals in there with her plus some special toys I give her during this time. I’m losing my mind with the tears. She is also going through something these days anyway- not sure if she’s a bit sick, or some developmental thing, or just being 3, but she cries and throw tantrums so much more than she used to. It’s a rough phase! </p>