• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • House Love
  • Mothering
  • Recipes
  • Books
  • Tutorials
  • 40 Bags In 40 Days
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

Clover Lane

  • Matthew and Patrick
  • Patrick in Stroller
  • Patrick and Dad
  • Patrick's Baby Love
  • Happy
Home ยป Blog ยป Nap Transitioning

Nap Transitioning

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

Patrick is about done with long afternoon naps.  You know what that means.  A really crabby sleepy child at 5:00 pm.  If we have to pick up a sibling in the car after 1:00 pm, I’m trying desperately to keep him awake in his car seat while his eyes get all droopy.

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

February 17, 2011 ยท 34 Comments

Follow by Email

Previous Post: « Cartography
Next Post: A Ski Trip »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. our little life says

    February 17, 2011 at 6:47 am

    That sounds soooo familiar. I am going through that with my 3 year old. It is hard giving up the nice quiet afternoon naptime. But, a tired little one at 7:30 is sooooo worth it! Good luck!

    ~timi
    http://www.jettandseri.blogspot.com

    Reply
  2. knit one, knit two says

    February 17, 2011 at 8:39 am

    My twins are losing their PM nap, much to my dismay. It was during their brother's homework time – fun challenge, doing homework and keeping the Kiddos from destroying the house. Gotta love the witching hour.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    February 17, 2011 at 10:59 am

    I have a hard time getting my almost one-year old to nap period. She goes to bed around 6 or 7pm and is out for most of the night. But during the day, even when she's desperately sleepy, she refuses to go down. Tough as nails that one. Patrick is so adoreable! How do you capture such great shots? Do you carry your camera everywhere you go? I keep trying to do that and everytime I think I don't need to take my camera with me, I miss the cutest shots.

    Reply
  4. luvnmy10 says

    February 17, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    When they get grumpy around 5, I give them a nice bubble bath–it tides them over until after dinner then story then bed! Sometimes I bribe an older sibling to sit on a chair in the bathroom and read or do homework with the little one so I can get dinner. This, of course will only work if you can be home during the critical hour ๐Ÿ™‚ instead of running around, like we mom's usually are around that time.

    Reply
  5. The Harris Family says

    February 17, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    Good luck! I am envious that Patrick has been napping this long, Casey stopped about 9months ago. Yet, I do get an early bedtime. Hehe. Hope all else is well. I really enjoyed your post yesterday, it made me reflect upon so many things.

    Reply
  6. Zoe says

    February 17, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    Such a sweet photo. That must be a special blanket – it looks like it is still loved despite a missing corner? Favorite blankets/toys are such a sweet part of baby/childhood. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  7. Leslie says

    February 17, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    I remember that transition with my ::now:: 4 1/2 year old. =( My least favorite transition had to be from the crib to a bed, though!

    Reply
  8. Courtney says

    February 17, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    my little guy will be 3 in april. i am going through the same exact thing. if he takes a nap, he is up until at least 10 or 11! but when i try to skip his nap, he sneaks into my bed when i'm making dinner and falls fast asleep! i'm hoping the warmer weather will help with this because we'll be able to keep busy during the 5:00 hour outside and then maybe he'll be tired out by 730 or 8!

    Reply
  9. Ruth says

    February 17, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    I learned to have a "quiet time" after lunch. I put the kids-still-at-home on their beds with a stack of books they picked out to "read". Then I went down for a short nap. Sometimes they'd fall asleep, mostly they looked at books for one hour. Then they did fine until 8pm bed time. Even 20 minutes of quiet time helped, as long as it was after lunch.
    And sometimes I even went and WOKE UP the child who fell asleep, because I wanted them to go to bed at 8pm, and because I'm the Mom.

    Reply
  10. Ingrid @ thesunnyside.me says

    February 17, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    so sweet! a trick my friend uses on her little one when she picks up her older son at school is giving the younger a sugar free lollipop in the car. occupies him and makes him not fall asleep. may just work for her little guy but thought i'd pass on.

    Reply
  11. Brian and Staci says

    February 17, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    Ugghh ๐Ÿ™ I remember those days ๐Ÿ™ Wish I had a great helpful tip…alas, I do not ๐Ÿ™ But yay!! Going to bed at 8:00 ๐Ÿ™‚ Butttt….does THAT make him get up at 5:00…..if so, not so great ๐Ÿ™ Good luck Friend!

    Reply
  12. Tara says

    February 17, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    It's so hard, isn't it? I love nap time, so sweet for me and I love the quiet pocket in the day, but I know what you mean, it's lovely to have a tuckered out kid at bedtime. Good luck with the transition.

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    February 17, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    This was probably one of my worst times of early motherhood. You know how much they need it and you know how much you don't! I'd do everything short of dancing on the tables to keep them awake (okay, I just might have danced on tables) to get them to dinner! Wishing you luck, Sarah! If anyone can do this quickly, it's you!

    Reply
  14. Carin says

    February 17, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    Godd luck! Not a fun transition as I recall from my older one, but well worth it in the end.

    Oooh it's nice to pop back in to see you ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  15. Unknown says

    February 17, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    I am right there with you. I can often be heard asking my daughter to keep B awake. If he naps, it makes for a long night. If he doesn't it is also a long night ๐Ÿ™‚

    Good Luck!

    Reply
  16. Pam says

    February 17, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Feeling your pain. Look at the cute face!

    Reply
  17. Raluca says

    February 17, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    My little girl (16 months old) sleeps 3-4 hours in the afternoon! She had 3 days in a row with less sleep 1.5 – 2 hours and it was so hard for me (all my plans were turned upside down :-)). Now she is back to the good and normal behavior. In this very moment she is sleeping for 3 hours already.
    I wish you an easy transition!

    Reply
  18. Melissa says

    February 17, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    THat is what happens to me, but it happens at 2 in our house! boo I wish my kids would nap until they were 3!

    Reply
  19. Vicky says

    February 17, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    My youngest stopped napping ages ago, but she has got an annoying habit of sometimes falling asleep at around 2.30 / 2.45, just before we have to go out to pick her sisters up from school. Cue crabby child walking to school.

    Reply
  20. Allyson says

    February 17, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    Believe it or not, Rachael (turned three last October) gave up naps over a year ago, so I lost my mid-day "break" a long time ago. Waaaaaa!!

    Reply
  21. Shannan Martin says

    February 17, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    Oh, do I EVER feel your pain! Silas has been a good napper this week…because he's sick. Right now, he's up partying in his crib, which I guess means that he's officially on the mend.

    Calvin stopped napping right around 2, too. He's almost 6 now and is usually ready for bed sometime around 6. No joke. It always means trouble if we have somewhere to go after dinner. Homeboy can't hold it together.

    Reply
  22. Maiden Jane says

    February 17, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    That was always the worst period of transition! Then of course, they turn into teens and you don't have any hours to yourself again!

    Reply
  23. Colleen says

    February 17, 2011 at 9:04 pm

    We have always done early lunch, early nap, early bedtime. So lunch at 11, nap at 11:30, wake up by two, and down for bed at 6:30. My oldest stopped napping at age 2.5, but the next one didn't stop until age 6, and my 4 and 3 year old still nap on weekends. I guess we just love sleep ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  24. Cath says

    February 17, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    Oh the pain. Nap transition is hard!! But yes, the early bedtime makes it worth it. Hang in there!

    Absolutely loving all your posts lately Sarah. xo

    Reply
  25. Becca says

    February 17, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    Awww…..so sad when they give up the nap. I don't let my kids give it up until 5 : ) Did I tell you that I think we are going to name #10 Patrick? I'm due in 2-3 weeks. Thanks for having such an encouraging blog. You are a blessing!

    Reply
  26. Alyssa says

    February 17, 2011 at 11:34 pm

    Love your blog- I've been reading daily for about 2 years now. ๐Ÿ™‚ I'm a first time mom to a 5 month old and especially enjoy your posts about motherhood. I would love to hear about your kids sleep schedules when they were new and any sleep/nap troubles or tips you have!

    Reply
  27. Kristen says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:50 am

    My 4 yr old naps maybe twice a week. Some days he just needs it. The other days he has to play very quietly in his room while his 2 yr old sister naps. That way we all get a break from each other.

    Reply
  28. April Westerhold says

    February 18, 2011 at 3:55 am

    I am right there with you. In the last month Caleb (1 year old) has given up his morning nap (unless we are driving) and GracieAnn (3) has given up her one and only nap of the day-ugh! Gracie is such a grump by 7 and Caleb can't keep his eyes open by 2. Good luck!

    april@Party of Five
    http://www.westerhold.blogspot.com

    Reply
  29. Maureen says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    We're in the exact same boat. Although, I have to admit something. Watching her fall asleep in the car is one of my favorite moments. It just cracks me up as she tries desperately to fight it, but surrenders.

    Reply
  30. Two Little Tots says

    February 18, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    oh, that was my whole summer last year. we are totally done with naps these days. and it gets to be long around here. but, i have used the tv…i know not good to get a little quiet time in the afternoon, an hour for them, so i hope that is not too bad.

    Reply
  31. Anonymous says

    February 18, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    precious time, precious photo

    Reply
  32. Megan H. says

    February 18, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    We are in the same boat with Landen…I'm not always successful at keeping him awake in the car, so then the 20min cat nap in the car means 1030 or 11 before he crashes for the night. ugh. thanks for sharing your puppy surprise with me other day, loved it.

    Reply
  33. Brad Fallon says

    February 19, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    Sweet photo!
    Brad Fallon

    Reply
  34. Courtney says

    February 22, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Such a cute photo.

    I am so with you, but at least we are now entering the end (I think). My son is done with the naps, but the car is HARD. Very hard. We have a 30 minute drive home from school, so we sing, tell stories, I talk endless about how he can have a snack and chocolate milk when we get home… If he falls asleep, bedtime is a mess. But yes, we always have a challenge around 6!!

    Good luck

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

21 years of our best-loved, most-used quality toys!

Follow by Email

Recent Posts

  • Sorting, Saving and Storing Children’s Keepsakes-A Quick and Easy Guide for Busy Moms
  • No-Clutter Easter Basket Ideas
  • Favorite Kitchen Items
  • Favorite Smoothie Recipe
  • Bathroom Organization-Five Tips For Purging and Organization

Topics

Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer

Clover Lane is participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Read my disclosure.

Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
๐Ÿƒ
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
๐Ÿƒ
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
๐Ÿƒ
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
๐Ÿƒ
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
๐Ÿƒ
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
โ˜€๏ธ
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Disclosure

Copyright © 2021 ยท Memories on Clover Lane ยท All Rights Reserved
Please do not duplicate anything on this blog without written permission from the author.
Disclosure: Amazon affiliate links used.