no more naps? help!

jakesmommy08 wrote: I know everyone is different, but at what age did your kids stop taking naps? Jacob is 3 1/2 and has taken a nap up untill the baby got here, if he didnt get one come about 4-5 pm hes gets to where hes not listening, whiny and driving me crazy. Especally on monday and tuesday because he goes to preschool those days. Im at my witts end with this kid today!!!!! I have tried everything i can today, hes been terrible, wont listen, wont take a nap. (some ppl arnt going to agree with this next part but o well) I tried being nice and patient, ive yelled and screamed, i even spanked him. The last 2 weeks hes been so bad. i understand theres a lot of changes going on but geez! and i understand hes acting out, but i play with him and give him attention, he needs to learn that he cant have my attention 100% of the time tho!

MommyToAshley replied: Ashley gave up her naps around age 2-1/2... I was really disappointed to see them go.

youngmomofone replied: She gave it up at 2.5-3yo.

luvmykids replied: Mine all gave up naps around age three. I think I cried for the first week we went napless

jakesmommy08 replied: ya i mean i dont know what to do! I really need that break during the day, especially with the baby here now.........ugh....well after a LONG battle with him today i think he finally fell asleep!

Momof3inMe replied: How about a quiet time in his room with things he can only have a nap time? I have a 3 year old and she will watch a movie in my room and just rest. It takes time to get use to it. I would say Leah naps maybe 2 days a week.

mummy2girls replied: I went through somewhat the same thing here. My daughter is 7 years old and when I had breanna 5 months ago she has been acting out. She is now back to the sweet girl she used to be but man was it rocky for awhile. Yes they have to understand they cant have you 100% BUT he has only been used to you and him for 3 years you cant just turn around and make him accept it.Thats like someone turning to you and telling you to accept something that hasnt been in your life for a long time... They will act out, they will do anything to get your attention, even if its negative:( these are what we did that helped...

we had days when it was just me and my daughter... she picked what to do and we did it. i know your BF so its harder than when i did it because im formula feeding. but even if its just an hour it can be done. Let him help with the baby by getting diapers, wipes, cream, sleepers etc. have him help at bath time etc. have him be an important role in the babies life as well because it helps. It will get better though just give him time.

naptime... just put him in his room and tell him its quiet time. dont make him sleep just tell him to play quietly, read etc. and you never know he may fall asleep. My oldest stopped napping at age 2

bluebear replied: My nephew stopped taking naps when he was 14 months old. He would NOT take a nap at all, except for falling asleep in the car. hopefully his 10 month old brother lasts longer!

kimberley replied: Kaleigh gave up naps just past 1yo . Jade still naps sometimes lol. i agree with quiet time. watch movies, read books....

moped replied: Jack was that age when Laila came along and was fighting the naps...I told him to have quiet time for 2 hours with a book, he would always fall alseep in his bed. So tell him it is quiet time, he doesn't have to sleep but he does have to have quiet time and you will be back in 2 hours. I bet he will fall asleep, cause you told him he didn't have to ....worth a try right!

jakesmommy08 replied: thanks everyone for your replys! im sure u could tell in my original post that I was really the one who needed a break. i just get so frustrated. so i went tonite n scrapbooked for a few hours, put jake to bed, still had to take the baby w me but thats ok. i still got a break. im feelin a little more relaxed now. as for the nap thing, it just dawned on me that i use to call it quiet time, n now im calling it nap time again, so i will fix that, and also make sure i remind him that he doesnt have so sleep but just be quiet. thanks again everyone!

paradisemommy replied: taven gave up naps right at 3 when skyler came along - skyler is 4 1/2 and she will take a nap maybe 2 or 3xs a week - ita with the quiet time - make him lay down on his bed and tell him to rest his eyes but he doesn't have to go to sleep..or to just read - it may give you a couple more naps a week!! good luck!!

~Roo'sMama~ replied: Both of mine gave up naps soon after turning 2. When Andrew stopped napping, and I finally gave up trying, I started having him lie down on the couch or in my bed with me to watch a movie. Sometimes he'd fall asleep, but even if he didn't he'd watch the movie and I could sleep. Sometimes he'd get up and play quietly by me, but I didn't care as long as he wasn't getting into anything. Now that Allie isn't napping anymore either, if I need a nap I put a movie in for them either in my bedroom or in the living room, and lie down on my bed or on the couch while they watch it. It's not quite as good as having everyone asleep and the house totally quiet, but it gets you through the day.

Boo&BugsMom replied: It's not an option in our house. Tanner is 7, and even he will lay down every once in awhile on a weekend if he is up late the night before. Rarely, but it does happen. Aiden is 2.5, and even though he fights it at first, kids that age need it still, IMO...so, it's not an option, and he eventually falls asleep. I'm just super consistant about it and I do not allow any kind of 'special' things, like books or tv. I use to allow that when I did daycare, and it just overstimulated the kids to where they would be even more awake. Naptime is naptime in our house. If your babe is super cranky by 4 or 5pm, then he needs his nap still, IMO.