Does Your Preschooler Still Nap?

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

15 Oct 2008 10:25 AM

Do you hear that? It is the sound of the little kids taking naps, or should I say the lack of sound. The silence is so strange, after a morning filled with running and stomping feet, loud laughs and giggles, a few "he's bothering me"s, and the thumpity-thumpity-thump of a basket of toys being turned over. Life with a preschooler is fun but they certainly keep you running, and when it comes to nap time, I think I need the break as much as my kids need the sleep.

One question that always comes up in my moms group is whether or not our preschoolers still nap. Napping may be given up any time between three and five years old, depending on the child and the family schedule. One friend told me that through her informal survey (talking to other moms), she found that boys were more likely to give up the nap at an earlier age than were girls.

My daughter, who will be four in a month, still naps. She and her younger brother take a nap that is generally about two and a half hours each afternoon. Two other little girls, she knows (from two different families) of the same age later don't nap.

While I'm holding on to this nap as long as I can, I know that the day that she gives it up is not far behind. As recently as last month, if she went without her nap, she would fall asleep at the table or melt down in tears. But every once in a while, she asks to stay up and does so without consequence.

I know I will miss the quiet time when the nap goes, but I will also enjoy the time I'll get to spend with her alone while her younger brother still naps. And then soon, just two years later it will be off to Kindergarten, or perhaps preschool the year before.

When did your children give up their naps?

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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jonesx6 (1606) 15 Oct 2008 02:34 PM

Our boys were around 3 years old and our youngest one gave up her naps around 2 years old. I miss the days of her taking a nap. Laura

Dale Harcombe (10131) 15 Oct 2008 09:13 PM

My son never slept during the day from the time he was a few months old but slept through the night, so I never worried about it, unless I was desperate. Then I would take him out in the pram or my Mom's car, as we didn't have a car then. The motion put him to sleep where rocking wouldn't. My daughter slept during the day till the year she went to school. She used to still sleep at night okay too. Just different kids with different needs.

Mary Ann Romans (26791) 16 Oct 2008 10:51 AM

It really does vary widely. My two are napping right now, and I enjoy having the time to catch up with housework, prepping for dinner and writing.

MomOfSJandL (30) 24 Oct 2008 01:14 PM

My daughter napped until she was around three, however my son stopped napping around 2. I was conserned, but the doctor said as long as they are getting enough total sleep, all is well. My daughter sleeps through the night now, at age 5 and gets about 11 hours. My son needs less sleep, but still falls within range. He wakes once at night at age 3 and sleeps about a total of 9 hours. My youngest is 1 year old, and takes one 1 hour nap, and sleeps a total of 10 hours at night. Not straight through yet, but hopefully soon!!!

Babyshower (15) 29 Oct 2008 03:31 PM

My little girl who has just turned 4 stopped her naps when she was about 2 1/2; she gets up at about 6 to half past in the morning and then that's it; she is awake all day until it's time to go to bed. ( and even then it's a struggle to get her up the stairs to go to bed)

I must admit I do miss the little bit of no noise time I used to get; when she did nap she would usually sleep for a couple hours in the afternoon.

The nap really did use to make a big difference to my day; I could actually get things done around the house or just being able to sit and relax for an hour was great.

No such luck anymore - it's all go go go now (but she's worth it)

Mary Ann Romans (26791) 02 Nov 2008 05:40 AM

My almost four-year-old didn't get her nap yesterday and she was an absolute bear to deal with!