Nap Time is… When?
Posted by 
January 13, 2012 •
My daughter continues to amaze me, though she can frustrate me at the exact same time. It’s quite the accomplishment! But, overall, I am utterly amazed at how well she generally goes with the flow. While she is certainly mama’s girl and daddy’s girl, she does extremely well when our schedule and routine are disrupted. Perhaps because I’ve never kept a rigid schedule with her? Admittedly, I’m pretty lax with it.
How lax?
Well, I hate when someone asks when her nap time is… because she doesn’t have a set nap time. She’s down to one two hour nap on most days but will occasionally take two naps at nearly 15 months old. There’s a block of time that this might happen in, but we just take the nap when it is clear it is time. Some days that is at 11am, other days it is at 2pm.
Did you just gasp? I know, the horror!
Some might say I’m not a good mother for this open ended madness, but I’m just trying to save my sanity and survive like everyone else. I don’t want to battle with my daughter over a number on the clock. If she doesn’t seem tired, she doesn’t need a nap yet. Some days this gets a little crazy (like no nap at all!), but most days… it works just fine for us.
She doesn’t have a set bed time either. Again, there’s a range of time that she tends to go to bed during. Some nights she goes to sleep easier than others. I will say for bed time, if we are nearing the end of that block of time and she’s not showing any signs of slowing down, I will make her lay down. I don’t like those nights because they involve a lot of crying (her), exasperated sighing (me), and hiding (hubby). Other nights she is practically asking to be put to sleep. It’s not traditional, but it works for us at this point in time. Will it always? Maybe, maybe not.
I attempted more consistent set times, but it just didn’t seem to work for us. This seems to work fine. Our flexible schedule was very helpful during the holidays though. We were on the go so much and our own adult sleep schedules were disrupted, but she was just fine. Minimal fuss!
The one thing I miss about 2-3 sometimes 4 naps a day? The time to work on the computer!
Do you set firm/rigid sleep times or are they more flexible?
Tags: family, Personal, ramble
I am flexible. My baby is only 3 months old:)
I’m “somewhat” rigid. (Is that an oxymoron?) Anyways, I don’t get Mouse up at any certain time, but he does wake up on his own typically between 7am & 8:30am. We don’t have a specific morning nap time, but I give him a bottle between 10 & 11am and 50% of the time he falls asleep for 1/2 – 1 1/2 hours after that. Now afternoon naps I do try to be a bit more regimented about particularly if he didn’t nap in the AM. Right around 2pm I’ll give him a bottle and will get him to sleep. Most times he sleeps for 1-2 hours. Bed time is a bit strict as well. We put him down between 7pm & 7:30pm and 99.999% of the time he goes right out.
Now for special occasions we have been lax in our schedule (Christmas day and such), but he did get a nap Christmas afternoon because I knew we’d be out much later that evening. Worked like a charm!
My guy is a SLEEPER! Always has been. If he doesn’t get enough he’s an absolute bear. And he’s generally easy to get to sleep. So many people of told me that I’m in for it when he’s a toddler (first birthday end of this month.) But till then, this schedule works for us and him. Ultimately, that’s all that matters.brousehouse
I would set rigid nap times.
With our first son, he needed a strict schedule because he never “told” us when he was sleepy. He would stay up all day and become overtired and then sleep fitfully. With our second son, he definitely let’s us know when he’s sleepy , so we don’t watch the clock. Sometimes he goes to sleep early, sometimes late, and sometimes not at all! He’s definitely our “better” sleeper!CptFussybuckets
I have 4 kids and have learned over the years to just be flexible when it comes to naps. Like you I don’t want to fight, and it’s less stressful, for me, to let them be. Only my 4 year old and 11 month old take naps now. They’ll usually fall out somewhere at some point, but still go to bed at a decent time. My 11 month old is down to 1 nap a day most of the time when we’re home, and still is in bed by 9 and sleeps through the night. Bedtime is different, and they do have a set time. That is what works for us and I say to each their own. Whatever works for your family. I do miss the computer time as well though. lolMommy24babies
i don’t think there’s anything wrong w/ what you’re doing…in a weay it’s a routine for her…know what i mean? i think schedules are often overrated because what happenswhen ‘life’ stuff happens…unexpected things? babies who are stuck in a strict schedule often can’t take their schedules messed upand end up really cranky! i know rigid routines do work for some people…we used to keep a tight schedule w/ our baby girl buti realize that it doesn’t always work!
My son is in daycare where they have a schedule and we continue it on the weekends because it works well for us. There is always someone who will criticize how you do things when it comes to parenting but you have to do what works for you and your family and forget about what everyone else thinks.
I was the same way with my youngest son. he has never had a set nap time. I think kids do better with flexibility instead of being forced into a nap. Most of the time they dont nap they just lay in the bed or try to play with toys. Whats the use?
I found I got too frustrated if she wouldn’t sleep when I wanted her to and she’d usually end up wanting to sleep eventually within an hour or so of my few attempts at a time. I didn’t like being frustrated over a nap!Syrana
I let my son sleep when he was tired, I wasn’t much for schedules either. It worked OK for him, but he’s very easy-going and it was never a problem. i think it really depends on your child and their temperament.
oh how i wish my kids still took naps!!
My son stopped taking naps at about 2 years old. He is a very happy wsell-adjusted 13 year old. We don’t have a set time for bed either, though that will change once he hits high school and has to be at school at 7:30. Ugh.
I only take a nap when I’m tired so why should it be different for a child? (I’m not a parent)slehan
Love this :) Love hearing parenting stories
We didn’t do set naps when ours what that age either. Now that mine is 4 I still make her have quiet time once per day in the afternoon. Usually around 3pm. Her bedtime is not set either. She is doing great too. :)longwait4bella
Everyone is different. Kids know when their tired and will show it in their actions LOL! Mine never had a “set” nap time either! :)
So true! And some days we need more or less sleep than usual!Syrana
I believe it is healthier to pay attention to a body’s natural rhythm and cycle. As parents we can guide our children to listen to their bodies and calm the mind when a rest is needed. We’d all be healthier adults if we had those skills when we were younger. You’re doing a good job trying to balance both!
Thank you! Sometimes my decisions make sense to me, but then I second guess myself when others question it.Syrana
interesting :)
When our kids were small we let them nap when they wanted to if not it was a fight to make them nap at a certain time and this worked for us
I read in the “About” section that your daughter is Rissa! So is mine. :) Her name is Marissa, but we mostly call her Rissy. We didn’t plan it that way, but have been doing so since birth. ;)
Mine is Aerissa but we call her Rissa, Riss and Rissy :)Syrana