https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:45:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767471 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 23:16:02 +0000 AB810 2767471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stay at home with my two, and my 4 year old dropped her nap around 2. The only time she is allowed to watch TV is when her brother is sleeping, but I try to limit it. We do:<br /> -sensory projects like playdoh, kinetic sand, cloud sand, water beads<br /> -painting, drawing, clay<br /> -toys that don't work well when the younger one is awake, like marbles, blocks, and magnet tiles<br /> -books on tape, which I get from the library and load onto my computer<br /> -sometimes she helps me with chores and I've given her lots of jobs that are "hers" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767467 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 22:28:25 +0000 PinkElephant 2767467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Mostly just posting in empathy. I've been in this boat for awhile, since I have a 5 year old who hasn't napped since 3.5, and a 3 year old who hasn't napped for about the last 4-6 months, so it feels like my situation keeps compounding. :) </p> <p>If by some chance one of them naps while the baby naps, I try to use the some of the time to do a one-on-one activity with the older girl who is up that is easier with just one kid - like letting her be a "helper" for baking or cooking that I need to do anyway. That way she gets some mom time, and I still feel like I got something done - and after our activity, often she'll then play happily on her own.</p> <p> But yeah...I do try to "save" their daily screen time for naptime if I know I need it that day. I just ordered some BrainQuest workbooks and am considering occupying the oldest with some "schoolwork" to make her feel important, but I'm not sure how independently she'll be able to do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767388 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 11:45:20 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2767388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly I've tried a lot of things and what works best if I need the break is screen time. That said, the kids know this is the only time of the day it's allowed. And on those days where I'm up to it they will happily play with me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767377 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 10:01:39 +0000 MamaCate 2767377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I am holding on to "quiet time" as long as I can! My 5.5 y.o. still does it thankfully. But one of my friends with older kids does a version of quiet time while the youngest sleeps. The rules are: no tv, quiet activities, but out in the living room/play room. She usually reads with them some and then leaves them to do their own thing. Maybe worth a shot? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767351 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 05:27:07 +0000 delight 2767351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 4 year old is starting school in the fall and I dread this too. She has a 2 hour nap still and her baby brother sleeps for part of it too which is when I clean and prep dinner. Ok, ok I sometimes nap too.<br /> In the mornings when baby bro has his first nap, DD has to do quiet activities or go outside in the backyard. Usually though we read a book, play a game and then she does her own thing. I find she really needs my attention for about 20 minutes and then is pretty content by herself. I also find getting a big craft that takes a long time is good when baby naps. I buy kits at Michaels and we will spend 20 minutes a day doing it together. Then she starts getting a little bored and wants to play with her toys </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767341 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:28:12 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2767341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oooh I so dread this and can't imagine not having my 1-2 hour break... but I know it's coming soon... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767333 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 22:06:14 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2767333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: we've done several things.. let her independently play especially with stuff lo2 can't have (paints, beads, etc), tv/tablet (but then turn it off when they're both awake), some enforced quiet time with books (think 20-30 mins), play board games and stuff like that. On dh's off days sometimes she gets outings like this week we went to color me mine! School just started for us but I did sort of purposely let her be bored sometimes. I will say that on my days with the kids I don't really have rest time sans kids and haven't in a long time. Dd just started school though so until lo3 gets here this may be some down time for me on my days. Then, chaos! Haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767329 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:53:52 +0000 bhbee 2767329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do let her watch a show but try to limit it (full disclosure, I give in for a break sometimes). I let the kids watch 1 show in the morning and I let her watch 1 at nap time. Then I try to do something with her if I can or let her do an activity little brother ruins. I also don't let her have the show until brother is asleep - so if it takes a while to get him asleep, she's not extending her time indefinitely. Honestly I feel guilty the days she watches more and am glad she's starting kinder and will be at school during his nap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767326 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:11:09 +0000 skipra 2767326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually the tv wins out for us but I like to try to take advantage and give my oldest one-on-one time doing a quiet activity of his choosing. Sometimes we read book or play games or build with blocks. If there is something I need to do during nap time, I tell him that if he plays quietly and doesn't harass me, then we can do something fun together. There are some days where my younger two don't have naps synch up or days where I'm just wiped and need to rest myself and on those days the tv becomes the babysitter unfortunately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767322 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 20:51:05 +0000 Foodnerd81 2767322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maddyz: the bored thing is actually part of the reason I've kept the quiet time in her room for so long. She had a few toys in there and had to entertain herself, which I figured was an important skill anyway. But it turned into her testing and coming out and me getting madder and madder so, not helpful. </p> <p>@Anagram: she can play alone and does sometimes, but she can also get kind of loud. </p> <p>I'm basically trying to come up with some kind of structure where I can have minimal involvement by we can be together too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767320 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 20:47:10 +0000 maddyz 2767320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's a time to let her be board, everyone needs that and you have things you need to do. It might be a hard transition, I am not even sure how you got about it. Mine still nap, and when I try to cook the older one hurts the baby... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767313 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 20:24:55 +0000 Anagram 2767313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How good is she at playing alone? My oldest loves to play alone without little sister in her way, so she'll happily play by herself for the time sister is sleeping.</p> <p>She naps 75% of the time, but on days she isn't tired and can't sleep, I eventually let her sneak out of the room quietly (they share), and she will draw or play dolls/kitchen in the living room while I do whatever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767309 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 20:09:15 +0000 cityliving 2767309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you do some sort of art/ coloring/ sticker time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-long-nap-quiet-time#post-2767306 Sat, 12 Aug 2017 19:40:56 +0000 Foodnerd81 2767306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With great sadness, we are saying goodbye to enforced "quiet time" for my just turned 4 year old. Until very recently, she had nap or quiet time in her room for 1-1.5 hours while her little sister napped. Mostly she wouldn't nap but would play quietly with a few toys we keep just fornthe that. But the power struggles about staying in her room have escalated and bedtime and nighttime sleep have gotten pretty terrible, so I ended it this week. </p> <p>So- in particular if you have a younger child who still naps, what do you do with your child who does still need some downtime in the afternoon? I've let her play with some quiet toys that I don't want around the baby (a new little Lego set she just got, and I'm thinking I'll take out the new kinetic sand she just got for her birthday). But I need some break in the day too to do things like pick up, make dinner, rest... TV or her kindle of course will occupy her but I don't really want to add another hour above what she already watches. Curious what others do.</p> <p>ETA: I stay at home with them, and when school starts up in the fall it will be 4 mornings a week. I'm assuming she will need that down time even more after schoolbut she has a hard time unwinding herself. </p>