Hey All!!

I have a 5 1/2 year old daughter who when asked to take a " quiet time' ( she doesn't like to call it a nap) will not end up sleeping and then around 6:00 pm, will start to get really cranky and awnry?? What do I do? I can't force her to sleep and on the other hand, I can't put her to bed at 6:00... Help!!

Thanks!!

Lisa
steinermommy3

None of mine ever took naps after 3! And they would get cranky too at times in the evenings. I know of no other answer than that this too shall pass! Continue to train and discipline her through her cranky periods and distract her and feed her etc...what you can...to get through it...It won't be long and she will be able to hang tough longer!

My dd always get cranky between 5 and 6. She has since birth! I usually get her out of the house. Maybe a before or after dinner walk (depending on when you eat) would be helpful. My dd doesn't seem so cranky around other people, she likes to save her crankiness for me! Maybe a short play date at the park or even in you back yard might help.

I would plan dinner early, distract her with outside play, then ease her toward bedtime with a playful bath,story, and bed

for quiet time, have her sit very still and listen to a story on tape or watch a video or listen to story books - she'll never see a nap coming if it hits her :wink:

I really wish I had some good advice for you, but it seems we are in the same boat! My daughter is a lot like me and she is very strong-willed. A long time ago I decided to choose my battles wisely with her, made my life a lot easier. LOL. By the time she was 2, I got really tired of fighting with her over naps. She rarely takes one. Like your child, around 6 pm she gets cranky and that's how it's been for years now. I really haven't worked out anything to make the crankiness go away, but I just try to make sure from then until bedtime she has my undivided attention (as best I can give her). I keep her busy so she isn't so ill. She goes to bed between 8-8:30 and sleeps until 7 or 8 the next morning. I've just come to expect it and tried to adjust accordingly. Hang in there :D

Just a question to consider: Could she be getting cranky because her blood sugar is getting low...meaning does she have a good afternoon snack to carry her through to supper?

Also, my sister institutes a quiet time every day at the same time. All her children know that at 1:00 EVERYONE is in there room or appointed spot for quiet time. Because it is so rigidly followed no one really objects anymore. Her kids are 8, 6, and 4. The older two rarely sleep but the youngest will some of the time out of boredom...anyway, they can be in their rooms and play quietly but they aren't allowed to play together, be noisy, or come out of their rooms. Oh, and the quiet time lasts for one hour...no exceptions. If she has something come up and they are not going to be home at 1 then they either have quiet time where they are going or when they get home depending on the circumstances.

Just food for thought!

Melanie