My 5yo Refuses to Nap: Family Pictures Tonight!

[lesliec]

My 5 year old won't take a nap today. Ok, ok, I know most 5 yo's don't nap, but he does sometimes, and he is absolutely exhausted. Usually I would just get over it, but he has bags under his eyes and we have FAMILY PICTURES TONIGHT!!!!!!! He has been laying in his bed and is kicking the wall and all sorts of stuff to keep himself awake. JUST GO TO SLEEP so we can have nice pictures!!!!!! I know he will be a mess 3 hrs from now!!!!!

 

[Jenn822]

I wish you luck!! My daughter stopped napping at age 2 1/2- and wasn't for lack of my trying or her daycare providers... we just compromised that we did quiet time... it was easier than fighting with her... =)

 

[lesliec]

Ok, he finally slept for about 30 min and then my 2 yo woke him up.
I know some have it much worse with little ones, I was just worried b/c we have pics tonight.

 

[chefsteph07]

Might be time to give up those naps, my daughter quit when she was about 3...I felt bad after that pushing her, I didn't want her to associate sleep with bad feelings toward bedtime...just a thought for you in the future!

 

[Maragib]

We do Feet off the floor time. He (almost 4) has to stay on his bed, he can do quiet things like read or play with a car or two. Most times he falls asleep if he needs it and if not, at least he got down time with no noise. and I get quiet time with no questions or talking. Mara

 

[wadesgirl]

One of my earliest memories was being at the babysitter and not napping. I would lay awak on the couch while all the other kids slept. Finally the babysitter noticed this and just let me come do quiet time with her instead. I got to help her prepare things for the afternoon, do chores, etc. I know it doesn't help with yesterday but I do agree, instead of forcing nap time, quiet time might be the alternative. Like it was said before, who knows, he may just fall asleep during quiet time in his room.