The twins (a little over 2) just started a Mother's Day out program 2 days a week. Their age group sleeps on nap mats, and the boys still sleep in cribs at home. Today was the first day and nap did not go well. They never napped at all and were so exhausted when I picked them up at 3 that Finn screamed at the top of his lungs for 45 minutes before I finally got him to sleep. I really don't want to transition them from the cribs yet, but I have no idea how to help tu learn to sleep on the nap mata at school. Any suggestions?
-
My suggestion would be to just give it time. When my LO transitioned from the infant room at day care to the toddler room I thought they were insane to think she would sleep on the cot. With in a couple days, she totally adjusted and did it no problem, despite staying in crib at home. I think once they see the other kids at school doing it for a few days they'll get on board.
-
Did the teachers tell you that you needed to work on it? If they didn't complain then I wouldn't worry. I think any new routines take some time. You might just be in a small transition period while they learn what to do there. So you might have some tired boys for a little while but I am sure they will adjust and then it will be fine.
-
My twins go to day care twice a week, starting when they were 13 months old. It took them about 2 months to start napping decently at day care. I think it just takes time, and hopefully the caregivers have plenty of experience with it! My boys are 28 months now and day care naps are still questionable, but they sleep in cribs at home.
Alternatively, you could try doing just naps on mats at home? Or maybe a quiet time while they watch TV or something? But as a fellow twin mama, I'm a fan of minimizing the amount of work you have to do so I'd probably just leave it to the Moms Day out folks to sort out. -
They'll learn! I didn't think my 2 year old would be able to do it, but he did!
-
It was their first day, it takes time. I'm sure they will see their friends sleeping on the mat and they will do it too.
-
Is there bedding from home that they're used to, that you could bring in? Or a blanket/lovey/stuffed animal that they're used to could do the trick too... either way, just having some familiar stuff can help with the transition!!
-
Our teachers are toddler whispers and somehow get the kids to figure it out. I did nothing and she naps there for the full two hours. I would give them time!
-
@mrbee: Oh yes! They leave a sheet and blanket there and we bring a stuffed friend (whoever she feels like bringing to school that day) and a pillow. I'm sure that helps too!
-
I think they'll succumb to positive peer pressure and get it in a couple of days. My son naps perfectly at school and not at all at home.
-
They'll get it...dd has slept on a mat at daycare from 15 mos on - I am SHOCKED she does it so well, she is still in her crib at home and won't sleep in the bed with us no matter what.
-
They will get it. Just give it time.
-
I agree with the others - it just takes time. I didn't believe for a second LO would nap on a mat. Like your LOs she goes a 2 day per week program so there is not that daily consistency either. Peer pressure is a powerful thing though! She eventually started doing it. They do a lot of back rubbing and singing and whatever is needed to help comfort the LOs, but now she goes down without a fuss!
-
I'd say to give it time too and maybe tell the teachers that you really want them to nap. Because maybe there are other kids that don't nap anymore so they might be unsure whether or not F&E nap. For us bringing his blankey/lovey, pacifier, a A&A swaddle as a blanket and the same stuffed teddy he had at his old daycare helped with transitioning to the new daycare.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
13 comments