It has happened now for good.
The END of NAPPING for big sister. At just about 40 months, she has said goodbye to her afternoon nap and hello to an earlier bedtime!
The end of napping as we know it is tough for me. I CHERISHED coordinated nap schedules with big sister and little brother snoozing peacefully, freeing me up to do my own stuff. I talked about how I love quiet time in this post.
How do I know the end is here? Well, she hasn’t napped in over a week. Today I tried my best to tire her out, complete with running around at open gym, more climbing and playing at the Y, and over an hour of reading together. I successfully left her in her room for quiet time, and when I checked on her, it was clear she was just playing and chattering to herself. Sigh….
According to the BEST sleep book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, M.D., naps disappear between ages three and six.
“On their third birthday, most children (91 percent) are still napping every day. At age four, about 50 percent of children nap five days a week, and by age five, about 25 percent of children are napping about four days each week.”
With naps out the door, I think I will still continue about an hour of quiet play in her room after reading stories together, secretly hoping she will decide to nap on some days. Other parents, what do you do when the napping stops?
I’m a fan of taking my own naps too! Check these other nap related articles.
- Harvard University may create nap room for students (redalertpolitics.com)
- Why is Napping Healthy? (calpoly.uloop.com)
go mama o. 
Lay down with her and cuddle for a bit. Or change your pattern. I started to put both of mine on opposite ends of the living room couch, with me in the middle to rub their backs when we moved to NH.
Thanks for reading and for the advice. That sounds like a sweet way to help kiddos wind down. We’ll see how it goes!
I have no idea why kids would ever want to give up naps!!! I would take a nap everyday if I could!
Right?! Everyone would be happier with an afternoon nap!
I still have one napper, I cherish that time. My older boys – 8 and 6 – usually are in school or playing outside. Every once in awhile they get tired and then fall asleep on the couch. If they are inside, they are always hushed since they know better than to wake their younger sis.
Oh, it’s such a sad day when you realize your kids’ naps have come to an end! My 26-month old fought me going down for her nap today, and it made me realize how much I need her to nap for the sake of my sanity! I mandate a quiet hour for my almost 4-year old as well. Most of the time he doesn’t nap, but that’s okay as long as I get an hour to myself!
I agree – Mom needs at least an hour of peace! I hope you can keep your younger child napping!