As my two little people are getting older they are starting to phrase out their nap times. My youngest, Mr. Nate is still dependent on his afternoon sleep, but Tilly will often complain that she isn't tired and doesn't want to sleep. I have been very blessed that they lined up their afternoon naps VERY early after Nathan was born, and I have worked hard to keep them on this same schedule. It is the only time of day until they are asleep at night that we aren't together.
I was discussing this idea of how to keep up that quiet time with my wonderful sister-in-law last time we were home and she shared some great advice that she did with her family. Every day all three kids would have quiet time. They could sleep, read books, etc, but they all took this time each day to have some alone quiet time in their rooms to rest, or just relax.
Another friend shared a similar idea on her blog: livinglovinglaughingtogether where she discusses her technique of building independent play time with her little people. You should check out her blog it is filled with great ideas!!
Both of these wonderful women discussed the idea a of having the little people have quiet independent time in their rooms as part of their daily routines.
Even though our weeks tend to be pretty busy, I try my hardest to have the kiddos home for their afternoon rest. While Nathan usually blacks out as soon as he can (he runs on full steam all day and needs the rest), Tilly takes some coaxing. I encourage Tilly to sleep, especially on nights where we will be out, but no matter what, she has that quiet alone time in her room.
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| She had been up singing to her Tilly doll just 5 minute before I went in. |
This is wonderful for all of us.
She has time to look at books, use her imagination, learn how to play independently, have some space from her brother, and it also gives her time to rest if she feels she needs too. She has to stay in her bed, but she is allowed to bring up different toys or books to look at. It took a while to build up time. She use to come out every few minutes when she wasn't sleeping trying to get up. She has now learned to stay in her room and enjoy her quiet time. Even if she doesn't sleep she will usually spend 1-2 hours playing away by herself.
This time in not only good for her, but it also gives me a couple of hours in the afternoon to get a few things done around here, to catch up on my emails, or to simply have a few quiet/uninterrupted moments to sit with a cup of tea.
Now it's time to start working on Nathan's independent play during other parts of the day.
Do you have any parenting tips on teaching independence? or on keeping the naps alive? Would love to hear them.
2 comments:
Wow -- "great minds" and everything -- I am planning to blog about children and sleeping in my "Life for Lazy People" series.
I'm glad the quiet time is going so well. Ours napped until they were somewhere in their sixth year and then we had "read and rest" for one hour each afternoon (They didn't get the read and rest option until then -- kind of a milestone). If Tills is going 1-2 hours, you go girl!
aw thanks for the blog link up and love! wow, our girls seem to be on a very similar track right now!! Lily has also started not sleeping most days but like you 1) I NEED THE BREAK and 2) SO DOES SHE :) !! So same as tilly, she can have books or quiet toys in her bed, I find the books help her quiet her self down to take a nap if she does need one or at least get some quiet chill out time. It's good all around and yes Eli def still needs his day sleep! he does Ind. Play at a different time of day but its soooo good for him too. I think the whole family benefits from a little space and rest in the midst of these busy days... and good skills for them to learn too! great post x
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