nap and starting pre school

[NiknLily]

Hi
Lily has just started 2 afternoons a week at pre school.  She has only just started last week and so far I haven't left her there, she loves going and is aware that one day she will stay on her own but so far I'm leaving ball in her court.  For last few days now she has had real trouble settling for nap, today she has been up there 50mins and is screaming to get up.  Yesterday it took 45mins for her to settle to sleep, and the few days before that it has taken her ages to settle at night, well 30mins which is ages for her.  Our routine for last few months has been
7-7.30 wake up
1pm nap till 2.30
7.30pm bedtime.
Bedore this it was all 30mins earlier, nap at 12.30 till 2ish, bed at 7pm.
So I'm wondering what with the start of having 2 days a week with no nap if I should bring routine earlier again permanently.
She has always coped very well with a no nap day here and there but has not missed 2 days so close together for ages.

Any thoughts or experience greatly appreciated 

[woopster]

What time is pre-school?

[becky1969]

Preschool wipes them out! Especially in the beginning.  There's so many new toys to play with and new kids.  I also think their little systems just get overloaded trying to catelog all the new experiences! Lots of moms find that their kids need earlier naps on non-preschool days to catch up from all the excitement on preschool days.

I'm a little confused, tho: on preschool days will there be no nap because of schedule? Or are you saying no nap because she's not falling asleep when you bring her home?

[NiknLily]

Preschool is 12.30 - 2.30 for first 1/2 term then its till 3pm, so no way she will nap after that.  She doesn't nap in push chair, not since a babe in arms and well I actually gave ours away cos we hadn't used it for over a year, since she started walking really, but sods law being what it is I now don't have use of a vehicle either and thats not a reliable way to get her to sleep as she only goes to sleep in car on long journeys or when we are on holiday and she has full on activities all day every day.

I haven't tried putting her down when we get home from preschool as it would be getting on for 3.30 by time she gets to sleep and thats if she goes to sleep which is unlikely after all that stimulation.  I have always found that if she goes to bed at least 1hr earlier than normal on no nap days she catches up no problem as she then does a 13hr night.

I will def put her down at 12.30 for nap on non pre school days from now on and see how long she sleeps to decide bedtime from there.  I put her down 30min early for nap after last week sessions and she only slept 1.15hrs so if that continues we will have to go back to 7pm bedtime too.

Tomorrow could be fun, she refused nap completely today and its preschool tomorrow!

[becky1969]

You might try a small catnap when you get home.  I guess it depends on how long it takes you to get home from preschool -- a 15 minute walk home might be enough to kind of help her 'wind down'.  You could then perhaps read a story quietly in her room,a nd then leave her to sleep or not.  Even just some quiet time in her room might recharge her batteries a bit.

[woopster]

I agree with Becky. Even if she doesn't sleep she'll be having a rest.

[NiknLily]

Shes in a bed so if she isn't going to sleep then she doesn't even do quiet time, she just gets up and comes out of room and calls for me at top stair gate!

She does love her dvd's maybe I will try doing dvd and laying on sofa after school.  Just so she gets some rest after all that excitement.  Today she was bouncing off the walls with excitement! but she actually asked for tv on and is now laying down unprompted :-)

thanks ladies x

[NiknLily]

Yeah I try to get her to bed by 6.30pm when she skips a nap like yesterday or on school days, but tonight it was 6.45pm by time I got down stairs.  I'm going to have to really work on shifting day earlier again, getting dinner started earlier etc. which is tricky as I had got used to having longer in evenings and things finally not being such a rush to get done 

got my fingers crossed she sleeps OK tonight and doesn't do an ew tomorrow as today was day2 of no nap with mums and toddlers yesterday and pre school today and just 1 day to catch up before pre school again thursday 

how much earlier do you get Kaleb down on pre school days?

[becky1969]

I think watching a vid is a great way to help her unwind.  TV sort of makes their brains go on pause, which is actually waht you're shooting for! 

I always dread no nap days too because moving your routine up can be so hard! You get spoiled with long evenings for sure!  But I think you'll be grateful in the long run, and 13 hour nights is highly motivating.    There are some days when he's wearing me out where I actually *hope* he doesn't take a nap so I can put him to bed at 6:30 and be done! 

[NiknLily]

Thanks ladies

I was actually amazed at how well she coped today, her mood was really good she didn't get grumpy or tired acting at all.  She was tired but she just layed there on sofa and chilled out a treat! so far no nws, so fingers crossed she will sleep till good time in am.

There are some days when he's wearing me out where I actually *hope* he doesn't take a nap so I can put him to bed at 6:30 and be done! 

LOL!!

Stacy 9am wake ups!! I'm a slightly pale shade of green at present.  Closest I've had to a lay in is 8am wake up, just once in her whole 2.5yrs

[becky1969]

We've been having the same here for about 2-3 months -- 9 am wake-ups!! I LOVE it because my son was a 7:30 am waker for most of his little life.  Our late wakings happen on nap days as well.  My son falls asleep around 8:30 and wakes around 9 am.  It is especially welcome here since I work while he sleeps.  But, like I said some days an 8:30 pm bedtime seems an eternity away, so the no-nap/6:30 bedtime days are welcome once in awhile!