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I would send him every day if he is bored at home. It sounds like he likes the outside stimulation.

@mrsrain: this is my opinion too.

I wouldn't put him in extra programming. I would try to have some activities in mind for him and let him take it from there. I have one a month shy of 3 and the other is 11 months, so we're rocking a two-nap plus toddler situation too. My toddler isn't in preschool yet. I have a theme each week with a couple activities for when she gets bored, and past that, I want her to use her imagination and learn independence in play. For the few hours you're really talking about, I think that'd be fine. Maybe he's just looking for more attention? Could he "help" with your work or do a project near where you're working?

ETA: my kiddo also gets a tv show at the beginning of her sister's morning nap.

@winniebee: I certainly don't have it all figured out, so I hope it didn't sound condescending or something! I literally spent an hour or two listing themes, and then the activities aren't anything Pinterest will be calling about it just helps me to come up with suggestions on the fly. For example, this week is pumpkins. I suggested she draw jack o'lanterns with different emotions, she used a paper plate to make a jack o'lantern mask, stamped pumpkins with toilet paper rolls... Our usual craft stuff but it gives me ideas of how to drag out her attention span.

Honestly, I find a schedule is the most helpful for us at meltdown prevention. We do breakfast, dress-reading-show-crafts-toys-lunch-nap-walk/park-errands-dinner. It sounds like your days off are pretty routine already, but if not, maybe that would help? And maybe he could help with dinner?

@winniebee: I see two sides to this. Yes, things will be a little better when your youngest is down to 1 nap and/or walking. BUT, if your oldest is like mine, it's still a constant effort to keep her from knocking down her sister (who is still a little unsteady).

W does get bored sometimes, but I send her to the playroom to do puzzles, color, or I make up a game for her to play. (Kiwi Crate app has some simple, easy ideas: http://www.kiwicrate.com/lists/top-crafts-ages-3-5/58).

But, if you're exhausted, I would go ahead and put him in one more day. You can even do it temporarily if you want to.

I struggle with this too! I'd probably already have K in a 4th day if it had been available (she only goes 9-1, 3 days/week), but other days I think she just needs free time at this age. I don't think there's a right answer -- just whatever is right for you!

I would give him time, he'll get there ("there" being occupying himself when you need him to). I know it's not easy now, but it will happen, and probably pretty soon!

I would try to reintroduce nap time on the days at home. Does he nap at preschool? Do they have nap/quiet time? I remember pretty clearly that the days (or weeks) when my son tried not to nap around 3.5 were the days when we had miserable evenings. I'd venture to guess that if he slept a little he wouldn't struggle as much in the late afternoons/evenings. If you want to try, my method was to get a chapter book and read it to him, but he had to lie down and stay in bed while I read. I typically rubbed his back with the hand that wasn't holding the book. (Rough life for this kid, right? ) It worked well, especially if we'd managed to get in some good exercise/running around earlier in the day.

@winniebee: at that age both my kids needed a LOT of outdoor time. bedtime not tired at its max until they dropped their nap!