3 year olds nap or no naps

[albers30]

My 3 year old twins suddenly gave up napping not long after their 3rd birthday.  They'd been napping routinely 1.5 hrs a day then it just became a fight.  One of them will still take a nap most days if you make her lay down but not til 2 or later in the day then she doesn't want to go to bed which is a power struggle sometimes these days anyway.  If they don't nap I catch them dozing off in the car if we're going somewhere around 5 pm which then can mess with bedtime too.  So I don't know if I should still be pushing for a nap but trying to get it earlier in the day or just leave it be.  Behavior and sleep at night don't seem to vary whether they nap or not.  Thoughts?

[Haribo2012]

My DS1 had dropped his nap by 3, but often 20 mins CN at a strategic time say 3pm used to help him get to BT without getting too tired.

If the nights aren't affected I'd prob try dropping it but keep an eye out for OT behaviour then just pop a CN in.

Otherwise I wouldn't go anywhere too far in the car or if I did I'd take snacks or toys to play with.

[albers30]

Thanks. We continue to struggle with bedtime whether they nap or not.  Just the kids dragging it out, getting out of bed repeatedly asking for thing after thing no matter how many times we say no.  Our routine has been the same forever I guess its just 3 year old independence rearing its ugly head.  Any suggestions on approaches to take to this to get them into bed when they're supposed to be and staying there?

[Haribo2012]

I used a star chart and going to bed nicely among various things.