How do you count nap length?

[bneydgrl]

I'm a bit confused on what's the best way to time Ella's second nap.  She slept for thirty min at 9...but under the advice of Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child I left her for the remainder of the hour and she slept for another 30 until 10:30.   So do I put her down for her next nap at 1 (therbyconsidering this nap was an ideal 9-10 and to stay on schedule?) or put her down at 1:30.  If she naps an hour then I guess i would feel better with the catnap at 4 rather than 4:30 (which it would need to be if she slept until 2:30)   

But maybe my thinking is backwards?

[ava'smom]

I usually go by the time that I got them up. So if she eventually went back to sleep and slept to 10:30 (which is really great that she'd do that on her own, BTW!), then I'd put her back down at 1:30.  Or if she seemed a little off, maybe I'd split the difference and try for 1:15.

I just reread your post, though and saw that you're concerned about the catnap. Maybe put her down a little after 1, but before 1:30 and see if that's a happy medium. Such a guessing game, isn't it? 

[*Natasha*]

How old is she and what does her usual day look like?