Nap times can be tricky business but I have always stuck with them and thankfully have three good sleepers. However, having turned three in July and about not long before Christmas, Daisy began resisting her nap. Well its about the right age you might be thinking and to be honest it could be. Both her Sisters gave them up around this time. However, there is so much more to it then that and therefore I am determined to continue with them.

She always goes to bed without any trouble at all at 7pm and is asleep within minutes regardless of whether she has a nap or not. Perfect! However, the big problem though is the mornings.

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If she had her nap  the previous day, she will sleep in until somewhere between 7 and 7.30am. If not has not, she wakes anywhere between 5.45 and 6.45am…totally illegal in this house! Not only does she wake up at this ridiculous time of morning but she then proceeds to wake everyone else up by singing loudly to herself and her toys. Believe me when I say coming to and opening your eyes to the sound of Daisy singing “Let it Go”, Twinkle Twinkle” or “The Alphabet song” at the top of her voice and at the time of morning is not a great start to the day.

On top of that is her behaviour from about 4pm until bath time… Without an afternoon snooze this little girl is tired and wingy, screaming and crying at the slightest thing. With her sleep she is my normal, happy little girl.

Enough is enough! This little one still needs a little snooze in the afternoon so messing around has had to stop and nap times needed to resume.

So over the past few weeks (except when away on holiday) this is what we have done:

  • We told her that even if she can’t sleep she needs to rest in her bed.
  • We already had a groclock but reminded her of the difference between morning, nap time  and night and went back to setting it in the afternoons.
  • We explained that she needs to be quiet until the clock turns yellow, that not everyone wants to be woken early.
  • We even switched her duvet for a thicker one and made sure again that her room was dark enough.

There is no reason for her not to sleep. After a busy morning at Preschool, followed by the walk home, lunch, playtime, story time and cuddles with Mummy. Warm and comfortable, surrounded by her favourite things she is responding well to the structure and “touch wood” napping continues.

Watch this space though. I will let you know how it goes.

Karen x