Crying at Bedtime and Naptime Question

[emilyrosejewel]

My toddler is 22 mos. old. Our bedtime routine consists of me rocking him for about 5 min. and laying him down. In the past I would do this and he would be happy and talk some after I put him in the bed, then he would go on to sleep later. Now, he has started to cry after I put him down and he also does this for naps. Is this a separation anxiety issue? How should I handle it? I can't rock him forever, especially with my 3 mos. old needing to be tended to as well.

[savedbygrace]

No I don't think so. This is more like a normal toddler realizing that it's time for bed or for a nap and probably doesn't want one. When Abby was that age, she would fight me. I would have to tell her over and over again, "that's enough, you need to nap so you can grow big" If she would continue I'd swat her toochie. (not hard) but just let her know that it is unacceptable. Then I'd sit her down and tell her I love her, but I really need her to take a nap. Sometimes I'd play music, or sometimes she'd just cry herself to sleep.
She is now 3 and I still make her take a nap. If she keeps playing around I give her one warning and the next time is a spanking. She does pretty good. I rarely have to get on her about it.

Hang in there, and again be consisitent. Once you give in, he will continue to act out.

[MommaBear]

Agreed. This is normal. DS did this for a while even though our routine never changed (book and then nap). So I told him that he didn't have to take a nap but he did need to stay in his room. He was welcome to play with his few toys (we keep them out of the room to minimize distraction) or "read" his books but that now was a time for quiet. So for a few weeks that's what he did. Played for an hour then slept for an hour. Now (at almost 3) he goes to sleep for the 2 hours.

I think all munchkins go through this. Sometimes is d/t being overstimulated, overtired or gosh! they may miss out on somethin'! It will pass sometimes it take a bit longer for some, but it will pass. Blessings to you! ~Kerri

[Blessed 2 B Zoey]

Agreed. This is normal. DS did this for a while even though our routine never changed (book and then nap). So I told him that he didn't have to take a nap but he did need to stay in his room. He was welcome to play with his few toys (we keep them out of the room to minimize distraction) or "read" his books but that now was a time for quiet. So for a few weeks that's what he did. Played for an hour then slept for an hour. Now (at almost 3) he goes to sleep for the 2 hours.

Ditto to this my DD gets put to bed and told that after she has a cuddle and story and prayer that it is bed time and se has to stay put. If she doesn't feel sleepy then she is allowed to play with her toys quitely untill she is tiers then she gets herself into bed and goes to sleep. I can not help on the nap thing my DD doesn't take a nap I find that if she naps during the day then she doesn't sleep on a night.

[Kensbev]

Ditto. My 2-1/2 yo is basically the same way. The tack I take is to calmly (I find that it's much more effective to say something calmly than to show them that they're upsetting you) explain that she doesn't *have* to sleep, but that she is in her room for bedtime or quiet (nap) time, and that if she isn't going to sleep, she needs to play quietly. Usually, she's in bed within 15-20 minutes, although there have been nights where she's been awake for two hours! That's when Daddy takes over, lol!