2.5 YO - Longer Nap Today? WWYD?

[Mom to M&M]

So as I've discussed with many of you, I've had to cut my DD's nap lately (she's 29 months) to 1.5 hours. give or take 10 minutes. Otherwise she takes forever to fall asleep at night and then gets a shorter night and is often crankier next day. Even with the cut nap she'll take up to 40 minutes to fall asleep at night. She's almost always hard to wake from her nap and almost always seems like she needed more (and she usually falls asleep for her nap very quickly).

Anyway, we had a really busy day yesterday. My parents were in and we took them to see our new house (still being renovated) and went to Lowe's to buy things for it and out to eat and all. DD only had a 30 minute car nap (and woke really tired and cranky from it but recovered quickly enough) but had a GREAT time playing with her grandparents and didn't fall asleep last night until almost 9 (overtired and wound up I'm sure). Instead of her usual sleeping until 7-7:30, I first heard her up at 6:20 and she's still playing in her crib now.

She normally naps around 12:30 and I wake her by 2 or 2:15 or so. But do you think i should try nap at 12 today instead? And do I still cut her nap at 1.5 hours? Let her sleep a full 2 and wake her then? Realistically bedtime can't be before 8 unless she's just miserable - it's too hard with our schedules and she usually refuses before then anyway. Normally we put her in around 8:15 and she's asleep around 8:45/8:50.

TIA as always!

[Mom to M&M]

Well she was in a better mood than I expected. But she must really be overtired as I ended up putting her in her crib a little after 12 and it's 12:25 and she's still rolling about and kicking her legs and all. Hopefully she falls asleep soon - when/if she does what would you all suggest? Wake her by 2:30 regardless? Let her sleep 2 full hours? 1.75?

[LeesMom]

I personally would wake after 1.75 hrs. at the most or no later than 2:45, which ever comes first. Mind you, I'm no expert at this but have to try to figure this stuff out all the time with DD (27 mos.) who often takes forever to fall asleep for naps (if at all). Good luck 

[Mom to M&M]

Hmmm, thanks. Well she fell asleep finally at 12:50 so 1.75 hours would be 2:35. Can't decide if should do that or let her go until 2:45 and either way shoot for 8 or 8:15 bedtime (her norm).

[LeesMom]

Hopefully 10 minutes either way wouldn't make that much difference. Not sure if this works for your schedule, but if I let DD sleep a little bit longer for her nap I just make sure to tire her out in the afternoon with physical/outdoor activity which she loves anyway. Not sure if you're getting the warm weather yet like we are (61 today in Michigan - Yay!), but that's a thought I guess. Sorry, not sure I was much help 

[Mom to M&M]

Don't apologize Jenny - you've been a really big help and I really appreciate it. Hmm it is relatively warm here today so maybe i'll let her sleep until 2:45 and head out to the park around 3:30 or so and try it that way with an 8:15 bedtime. Wish us luck and if anyone thinks otherwise let me know - it's 2pm here now.

[LeesMom]

Sounds like a good plan --- good luck! Enjoy your afternoon 

[Mom to M&M]

Drat. Overtired girl woke on own just before 2:15 and doesn't sound happy... Thank goodness is nice outside for an afternoon of distraction and will rush to get her into bed between 7:45-8 tonight.

[aisling]

Karen, I wish I saw this earlier.  Same boat here. After 2 late nights, I'm letting him go..I'll wake though at 2:45. Here is me thinking that I didn't need to use my maths skills beyond uni and lo and behold I am doing sleep equations every day now for nearly 2  yrs! 

Very warm here too, snow all gone off to take down decs and go to park.  eeek I hear him it is 2:30 so 1 hr 50.

A x

[Mom to M&M]

Hey Aisling LOL! False alarm before. After whimpering for a minute or so at 2:15 she fell back asleep (if she was ever fully awake) so I'll stick with waking her at 2:45. Hopefully she's in a good enough mood to get out by 3:30/3:45 and enjoy the park and good weather! Hugs to you and Nello.