WWYD-Toddler sleeping..

So, we've never really had a schedule in this house, DS just naps when he is tired and we are home (and cat naps in the car)

But because of my DH's work schedule, he doesn't go to bed until 10pm (sometimes 9.30, but usually 10 now).

So, yesterday, my parents were over for lunch and he napped from 3pm-6pm, didn't really think much of it because of the later bedtime..

I put him down at 10 and watched Glee. When it was over, I heard him yelling that he wanted to watch TV with Mommy. He stayed up until 11.30pm and then tried one more time to get me to let him watch TV (little con artist ) but I made him go back to his room.

He was up at 7am today

Now, I am wondering if I should try to create some type of "schedule" and not let him nap if it gets to a certain point? He really does need them, but I'm guessing its too late now? Maybe I should wake him?

Re: WWYD-Toddler sleeping..

Well, he goes for a nap when he's tired, right? And the time that he's tired just fluctuates each day?

I'll tell you how DD is...wakes between 6:15-6:45am each day; naptime is 2pm, she'll sleep anywhere from 2-3 hours. So some days she's waking at 5pm from her nap...but she's going to bed at 8pm. So the late wake-up from the nap doesn't affect her b/c it's really the quanity of sleep she's getting each day and not the time, KWIM?

I don't know if there was a point I was trying to make

ETA: With the way my DD is, I would NEVER be able to let her leave her bedroom if she woke in the middle of the night....especially letting her watch TV...she'd make that a routine in no time, sneaky little one

ETA #2: On the very rare occasion that DD doesn't nap, we try to put her to bed a little earlier, but she generally has a HORRIBLE night of sleep that night anyway, I guess b/c she's overtired

Message edited 12/3/2009 9:04:40 AM.

Re: WWYD-Toddler sleeping..

Posted by nbc188

Well, he goes for a nap when he's tired, right? And the time that he's tired just fluctuates each day?

I'll tell you how DD is...wakes between 6:15-6:45am each day; naptime is 2pm, she'll sleep anywhere from 2-3 hours. So some days she's waking at 5pm from her nap...but she's going to bed at 8pm. So the late wake-up from the nap doesn't affect her b/c it's really the quanity of sleep she's getting each day and not the time, KWIM?

I don't know if there was a point I was trying to make

ETA: With the way my DD is, I would NEVER be able to let her leave her bedroom if she woke in the middle of the night....especially letting her watch TV...she'd make that a routine in no time, sneaky little one

Re: WWYD-Toddler sleeping..

I think it depends on the child. DS is horrible not on a schedule. He needs a 2 hour nap and bedtime by 8. If he is doing well I wouldn't worry too much about it because he is still young (he is 2 right?). I would start around age three or four or so to get into more of an early to bed routine. I have had a few friends whose kids went to bed late normally have a hard time adjusting to school when they first started because they had to go to bed early and get up early.

Re: WWYD-Toddler sleeping..

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by nbc188

Well, he goes for a nap when he's tired, right? And the time that he's tired just fluctuates each day?

I'll tell you how DD is...wakes between 6:15-6:45am each day; naptime is 2pm, she'll sleep anywhere from 2-3 hours. So some days she's waking at 5pm from her nap...but she's going to bed at 8pm. So the late wake-up from the nap doesn't affect her b/c it's really the quanity of sleep she's getting each day and not the time, KWIM?

I don't know if there was a point I was trying to make

ETA: With the way my DD is, I would NEVER be able to let her leave her bedroom if she woke in the middle of the night....especially letting her watch TV...she'd make that a routine in no time, sneaky little one

When he is tired/when we are home

I agree with you that it is the quantity, not really the times...I'm just confused.

Yeah, I normally wouldn't have either, but he was SO awake, I don't think he slept at all, KWIM?

And they are SO SNEAKY

Re: WWYD-Toddler sleeping..

Posted by nbc188


I'm totally not judging you for the TV thing You do what you have to do. I just know that would have stimulated DD and that would have been a nightmare

Well, he seems to be napping every day when you're home then, right?

Re: WWYD-Toddler sleeping..

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by nbc188


I'm totally not judging you for the TV thing You do what you have to do. I just know that would have stimulated DD and that would have been a nightmare

Well, he seems to be napping every day when you're home then, right?

Oh I know, sorry if it sounded defensive

Yeah, he does, and usually for 2.5-3hrs. We have weeks where we are home everyday and weeks where we seem to be out..

When we are out, he does nap in the car, but those don't really count IMO

Re: WWYD-Toddler sleeping..

DS has always been a very scheduled kid but his nap is key. I can put him down anywhere between 12 & 2 but if he sleeps for more than 2 hours, we're in trouble. In our case, he still wont give us trouble going down but he will be up at the crack of dawn the next day. Maybe just try limiting his nap to 2 hrs and see what happens?