My son is a real nap guy. He's all about his nap. When he was an infant I was bound and determined to never have one of those kids who, A: is a picky eater and B: does not sleep in his own crib/bed. Well...when he was tiny he took two naps a day (morning nap while I was in the shower & afternoon nap). He is a blessing--now (at 28 months) he takes a 2-3 hour nap every day after lunch, plus he wakes up at 8:30ish every morning and he goes to bed every night at 8:30-9 PM with absolutely no fight.

I know I should be grateful, but stick with me...

If he doesn't get the 2-3 hour nap each day, he's sooooooo sleepy. He gets silly & restless & goofy and by bedtime the poor thing looks exhausted. Some days it feels like all he gets to do is wake up, eat breakfast, take shower/bath, eat lunch, sleep, eat dinner, and go to bed. In reality, there is plenty of playtime in there--but it's usually just taking place to fill the time between eating & sleeping.

Maybe this is the norm...but, it seems like we miss out on a lot because he needs his nap--on days we skip his nap to do an "all-day" activity, the poor thing looks like he's going to collapse. He's has absolutely zero discipline issues, so it isn't like he's naughty is he misses a nap--he's just sleepy & "not himself."

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~Jessica

A Classroom of One's Own

At this point it seems his nap is more important. As long as you make the most of his awake time he isn't going to miss out on anything. He will eventually grow out of the need for naps, until them let him rest, it sounds like he is a delightful little guy when he is awake.

Personally i don't see where the problem is. Do you think that maybe you feel like your missing out on something???? I do not mean this in a rude way. I think he is fine with how things are but maybe YOU need to get out and do more.

How about skipping bath time in the morning so you can get out of the house during that time? Try getting him up at 8 instead of 8:30 and get the day started a little earlier.

Playtime to fill the time between eating is sleeping is pretty much what we all do if you think about it. Also if he doesn't get cranky or irritable when he misses his nap then do the things you want to do once in awhile in the afternoon. It's ok for him to look sleepy once in awhile.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

I understand what you mean because it is hard not to be able to go anywhere or do anything because they are sleeping. But, believe me, you will probably be sorry when the nap stops!! My daughter needs a nap but won't take one. It is a mess every day.

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I have a 19 month old who is all about her nap, too. She gets up by 7 am every morning, takes a 2 hour nap from 12-2 and then goes to bed by 7pm. If she doesnt get her full nap she is like your son, and totally not herself--really sleepy, and hard to please. I think it may just be an age thing..

lexikatiesmom, I'm glad to hear your daughter is the same way!

Also, I don't want anyone (i.e. Jodie) to misunderstand...my "gripe," it isn't that I wish I could be out doing things--I'm not a Martini Mommy who just has to meet the girls for lunch or she'll go stir crazy. Anyone who has read my blog knows I'm a homebody & a recluse!! I simply want my little guy to enjoy his days more--it's probably a stage & like skimommy said, I'll miss it when he no longer wishes to take a nap!!

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~Jessica

A Classroom of One's Own

When I said I couldn't do anything, I was mostly referring to be able to go to the park and such. My girls were on a rotating schedule for awhile and 10-3pm was basically naptime

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My daughter has always been a napper, too, and I had my boys on nap schedules until they started Pre-k. I will tell you that his body must NEED the nap or he wouldn't be so affected by missing it. You will have plenty of time to do all kinds of things with him as he gets older and outgrows the naps. Enjoy the quiet time and realize that his body and brain develop while he sleeps, as well as when he is awake. Also, he can't enjoy and retain any activities if his brain and body are exhausted.

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Parker, Wyndser, and Carson....................Wyndser (in blue) with her cousin