Please say this isn't the end of naps!

We have started the ugly transition from cribs to beds (mattresses on the floor for the time being.)- my boys tried to climb out at 2yrs3mo and it was just getting too dangerous. They moved on to climbing more dangerous things in the room (such as the dresser and other assorted furniture) so everything is out of there for the exception of some choice toys, stuffed animals, books, etc.

The naps have been awful since the transition for about 5 days. My one son will nap regardless if I put him in first, but the other one is just a mess and wants to wake him up or play around the room. So they just keep each other up. I waited an hour while they are in there destroying the room yesterday and I can't take it anymore. Is this the end of naps? I really don't want to put them into separate rooms into they are a little older- I am not ready to rearrange another room in our house. Grrr...!!!!

 

Have you tried sitting in the room until they fall asleep? I did that with the girls for awhile. It usually only took about 20 minutes and it was well worth not having the frustration of listening to them play and make a mess. I just sat in the room with a book and would remind them to lay down and close their eyes whenever they sat up or started to talk.

 

This is exactly what I did. It worked like a charm for us and generally mine were asleep within 10 minutes. I was able to gradually move the place I sat until I was in the doorway and after that I just waited outside the room until they fell asleep (so that I could go in straight away if they started messing around). After a couple of weeks of that I could just put them in bed and leave.

 

Another member on TS recommended that to me a couple of months ago when I was having the same problem with my DD. Sitting in the room with her for 10-15 minutes seemed to encourage her to go to sleep. She does have her non nap days but they are far and few between now.

 

Another vote for sitting in the room. It took about a week of doing that every day and then a few times when they were feeling especially rambunctious after that. But, they are still napping at 4.5yo, so it worked!

 

Yep, I would agree with sitting in the room. That worked well for us when we did the transition. Also, can you seperate them for naps? Maybe put one in your room or any other room for naps. Mine will never nap if they are together (since being out of cribs).

 

I thought big beds would be the end of naps but it wasn't. I just put one in my bed. Sometimes I lay down with that one.
It's been better than I thought!

 

Yep, we did the sitting in the room. Worked like a charm for us. I still do it at night. I actually love being with them when they fall asleep. It is so peaceful. :wub:

 

I can totally sympathize with you. I have had a terrible time figuring out this whole nap thing since we transitioned to beds about two or three months ago. At first, I would sit in their room until they fell asleep and that worked for a few weeks. But then, I don't know what happened but I just could not get them to settle down long enough to actually fall asleep. Several people here on TS suggested I seperate them and at first I thought that would never work but it does!!! I put my one son who is more likely to fall asleep in his bed and tell him it is naptime. I turn on his music and tell him I'll be back to check on him after I get brother settled. He fusses a little bit but is compliant and stays in his room. I then go and put my other son on my bed and put a show on for him which gets him relaxed (because he will not just lay on our bed and rest...he would be up roaming around the room, etc.). Once Nicholas falls asleep in his bed...usually in about 10-15 minutes, I will then tell the other one its time to go to sleep. I'll take him to his bed, where his brother is now sleeping, and will sit there with him until he falls asleep (also usually in about 10-15 minutes). The whole process takes about 45 minutes but it is so worth it! We tried a few days without naps and it was just horrific! They were crabby and fallings asleep at the dinner table. I knew we were not ready to give up naps. Seperating them initially was key for us! Hope this helps you and I wish you luck. I know this is very difficult!

 

I'd remove everything too... if they have nothing to play with, it would be boring.