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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Oct 03 2008 at 6:30pm | IP Logged
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Hints...help?
MY 5, almost 6 year old is just melting at 2pm. Major meltdown and painful and energy consuming for me. Before I have her tested for "issues" I was thinking I should try getting her more sleep. Nighttime is hard, bedtime is late, so I was hoping to try to re-institute a nap.
We never had any sleep "discipline" and she is not used to going to sleep by herself. Some of her issues involve being alone--so leaving her up there alone isn't going to work-yet, I hope to work towards that.
She hasn't napped in the afternoon in a looong time and I probably won't be able to continue this on weekends but would love to do it weekdays if it all works out.
Has anyone gone back to naps after a long absence with an older child? How did you do it?
I appreciate any help.
Anne
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Maryan
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| Posted: Oct 03 2008 at 8:09pm | IP Logged
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I'll share my system if it helps!
Due to my "littles," we have "quiet time" every day at the same time. My 2 yo. is in a crib upstairs, my 8 mo. might be in a crib or might be nursing on the couch with me. My 3yo. is on the other end of the couch. My 5 yo is on one loveseat and my 7 yo is on the other.
I've never made the bigger boys nap -- but since they are on a couch sometimes they fall asleep during "quiet time." And because I never said that we're going back to naps -- just that we are going to have "quiet time" -- it has been successful.
At 12:30 the littles go down, but at 1:30 the 3yo and over set and I read books in the living room. Then we split up to "our couches" and it's absolutely quiet. The boys may look at a book, but they are not allowed to move. Somedays all of us sleep; sometimes it's just the 3yo. However, the days they need it, everyone sleeps.
Even the rest and the quiet does everyone (especially Mom) good.
BTW -- If I am not in the room, none of this works. So my resting is key to everyone else resting. It was hard to give up my free time to "rest" but everyone's moods are better for it.
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Oct 03 2008 at 10:11pm | IP Logged
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Anne - My little guy takes his naps on the couch here in the living room. It's important to be consistent about the time you set for her nap. I read a few picture books, make a little nest with a small pillow and a favorite light flannel blanket, and like Maryan, I have to sit down with him or it's a no-go. It's a routine, and I think if you start one and are consistent, you should have some success. Just be prepared to sit down on the couch with her (a great time to catch up on your reading basket!)
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Oct 03 2008 at 11:56pm | IP Logged
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 Once again, Maryan....we live IDENTICAL (yet opposite  ) lives! That is exactly how our quiet time goes too....right down to the placement of the children.
I really do miss my time to run around and get things done in the afternoon, but it's just not in the cards right now. 
My 7 yo really needs this down time. Not so much the 5 and 6 yo....when we "miss",,,,it's not as noticeable for them, as it is for my oldest.
If someone is having a hard time being quiet or needs extra "strokes" from a hard day, i'll sit with them, combing their hair or tickling their arm. Music sometimes helps....or a calm read-aloud on tape.
Because of her age, would she think it's fun to have a special "sleep-sac" and pillow that is JUST for afternoon quiet/nap time? That's a good age for stuff like that. Maybe a corner set up for her to lie down in....somewhere that's a bit dark.
I wouldn't present it as a NAP.....just present it as *quiet time where you are forbidden to move a muscle* .....and see if she naps. If she does need the sleep and is truly tired, hopefulley, she'll fall asleep
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Suzanne in ID
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Oct 04 2008 at 11:22am | IP Logged
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Ah, I was figuring I would have to be there. Sigh. I could also use a break from this very intense child. I'll give it a try next week.
Another question. If your morning has been very low key, not a lot of exercise, do you still "nap" at the same time? Dd needs to run off some steam but sometimes we just don't get to it.
Anne
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Topic: Getting a 6 year old to nap
