When your child wakes up from his nap just as cranky as he was when he went down for it, what does that mean? He'll start sassing me, crying over the littlest things, getting really irritable for what he wants, so I'll think maybe a nap would help. Then when he wakes up, he just cries for NO REASON. He cries when I hold him, and screams even louder when I try to put him down. He whimpers and whines, about nothing (that I can figure out anyway, and I've tried everything). He'll whine to go next door (to my in-laws) and start crying if we don't go straight over there. Am I subconsciously laying him down for a nap just to selfishly get some quiet time for myself?

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Oh my god! I thought I had the only toddler who did this! My son at age 2 1/2 decided he wasn't taking anymore naps..I was upset at first but okay with it...Then when he would fall asleep in the car and I would bring him in and lay him on the couch and he would sleep for an hour or two and wake up crying, cranky and misearble!! It was awful. Now I don't let him sleep more than a 1/2 hr during the day and he goes to bed at 7pm instead of 8 now. Works out much better for us. I definitely miss both my kids taking a nap and the free time that came with it. so now while the baby is sleeping I have him paint, do crafts or I let him watch his educational shows, so I can relax or get stuff done around the house.

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Married to DH since 2003, Mom to Tanner (3) and
Braden (2) Baby #3 due 3/13/09

My ds did this when he was ready to give up his nap.

I had a feeling.........

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My kids would do this when I would get them out of their crib right when they woke up. They needed 10-15 mins of being awake to actually wake up adn be ready to go again.

That is what my dd did...

Also, for awhile she was doing this, and I would put her back to sleep, it was like she was waking up in a funny part of the cycle. And after another 1/2 hour or so she would be fine...

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married 8 years to a crazy Brit, mommy to a banana, she is 4 and a pineapple who is 1 year, mommy to 3 ~angel~ babies

Wow! My dd does this and she is only 16mts. I know she's not ready to give up her nap, but she is usually (not always) a grouch after her 2nd nap.

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Mommy to Hope (10.10.06)
Monkey mommy to Allyson (10.13.02)