Ideally, yes, I’d like to keep the nap, particularly as it is so bright in the evenings and that seems to be making him less inclined to want to sleep early on in the evening. So I was hoping to keep the nap until the autumn or winter. But he is seriously resisting the nap at the moment. On Monday to Thursday, he is with a childminder who can’t get him to take a nap, and, without world war 3, neither can I. And I can’t begin a wind down at 5.30 as we only get home at 6. He has always played at home after we get in as when he does nap, he has the energy. Now though even if he is completely wrecked in the middle of the day, we go through an awful song and dance to get him to go for a nap. I am just tired of the battle and not happy with him being so upset before sleep times. So I really feel caught between a rock and a hard place!! I am on leave from work for the next 2 weeks though so can put work into it but really don’t know where to start! Last night I put him to bed at 7 as he had a 10 minute nap and was so tired but he messed around for 2 hours before he finally went to sleep.
This is usually what happens – we have the same routine – he does his teeth and goes to the loo (he is toilet trained and has been for about 10 months or so). Then I put him to bed. He says his ‘thank you holy gods’ – thought it might focus his mind and help him to wind down – gets into bed. I get in beside him (alarm bells going off as I write this!) and make up a story with him or me in it, then we have to do ‘rubs’ (face and nose – don’t ask!), one last kiss and one last cuddle, then I say goodnight and leave. Lately, he will then look for more water (cup on shelf by his bed), to go to the loo, last night managed to climb on the windowsill and couldn’t get off, or will look for a different teddy…..the list goes on. And I don’t know what to do! Should I get him the water, bring him to the loo (I tend to do that even though sometimes he is messing) and get the teddy – he gets sooooo upset if I don’t!!!! He is inconsolable! Should I talk to him to tell him I won’t get the teddy or not talk at all?
Ideally, I want to help him to relax, and be content to go to bed. I’m afraid he is getting very negative associations. Last night I decided to revert to staying outside in the hall to bring him back into the room when he came out. I am just lost at the moment.
How can a parent help a child who finds it so hard to wind down?
Am I blathering? Did any of this make sense?!!!
Oh yes - he is in a bed - has been for about 6 months.
