Need Suggestions

Okay, so it seems pretty offical that my boys are done napping :huh: Bummer, but I guess I need to just accept it and move on. They only ever napped well for about 4 months of their lives (the last 4), so I really was thankful for that time while I had it. I can't get them to nap, they just jump in their cribs for and hour or less and then I get them up. The screaming/throwing everything, isn't at all relaxing for me. My husband can get them to nap, but he isn't here during the day. And when he does put them down on the weekend, they are up till 10:30 at night in their cribs (with an 8pm bedtime). So I think they just don't need the extra sleep. I don't like having them up that late.

So I was thinking about just doing "quite time" in their room instead of their cribs. Their room is pretty cleaned out and they can't get into trouble there. I guess I would just put some books on the floor for them to play with. My concern is that they get in each other's space and sometimes end up biting each other. I can't police them with their door closed, plus that would defeat the purpose of a break for me and for them. So, any suggestions. We don't have two seperate rooms for them. WE do have one extra room, but it is FULL of their toys and also a guest bed. I just can't take that room away, it's our life line. Plus I don't want one upstairs and one downstairs at night time. There wouldn't be any place to put the toys, and their playroom is vital for us. Especially with this cold cold weather we are still having.

Any helpful insight? My guys are so challenging right now, whining a lot during the day, fighting a lot. I just really need a short break from their fighting and whining.

 

what do you think of quiet time watching a video or something? when mine are really whiny and clearly need a break, i put on a signing time video and they'll sit quietly on their little couch for 30 mins. it gives me time to cook dinner or do whatever i need to do and it calms them down nicely. maybe you could combine that with some reading?

 

QUOTE
WE do have one extra room, but it is FULL of their toys and also a guest bed.


Same here for me...

I agree with a PP, what about letting them watch a movie or something? That isn't going to hurt them technically, and YOU would be getting your quiet time. My guys fave movies are Finding Nemo, Curious George, and Happy Feet.

 

Same here. My girls would watch a full length movie at that age, though sometimes they would only sit for 30-40 minutes. We still use movies to get them some "quite time" which is really just "sit still and rest" time. It's not for me to get a break though....we've long since passed that need for me. Quiet Time is for the kids when they whine and are obviously tired (but won't nap). I am sorry that things are so challenging for you. I hope you can work it out. Read them a book to get them in a calmer state of mind and body. It also grabs their attention so you can be heard. Explain to them everyday that quiet time is just that, no talking, just quiet play. I make my girls stay in their bed (they have shared a full bed since 2.5) with books or a movie or on the couch if we are downstairs. That helps to "still their hand and feet" so that they are more likely to actually rest. I know that boys can sometimes be much harder to focus in this way, but I would stay at it. Let us know how it goes.