My son has recently gone from his crib to a toddler bed. We had a tent in the crib to keep him in it, but he tore it apart. We tried to keep him in the crib without the tent, but he ends up playing with the blinds, the pictures on the wall, etc. So, we got him some toddler bedding, and he's transitioned pretty well.
He sleeps really well at night in his bed. He gets in, talks to himself for a bit, and then falls asleep. However, at naptime, he continually gets out of bed. I know that he needs a nap still because when he does sleep, it's for 2.5 hours. However, by the time he's fallen asleep, it's so late in the day that not only is our afternoon ruined, but I often have to wake him up for dinner.
I've tried keeping his door open so I can watch him and tell him to lay back down every time he gets up, but it just becomes a battle of wills.
Is there a creative way to get him to stay in bed for naps? The issue is becoming unpleasant for us, and I want naptime to be a positive thing for him.
Thanks so much!
We do stickers. I started at 3 so I don't know if he will get it. It's worth a try. I usually give 1 for staying in bed all night (or naptime). I let mine pick their sticker stick it on the chart. When they get a certain amount they get a reward. 10 stickers= a toy a the dollar store. We have different rewards if you save them up.
Can you try a reward system? I don't know if it'll work with a 2 year old but we implemented reward system with my dd when she was about 3 and it worked great. otherwise i'm not too sure. good luck!
I don't know what it is about being in their own bed during the day, but my 4 yr old did that exact same thing, and now my 3 month old does it. I let them take naps in my bed, and they sleep GREAT in their own bedat night. I say if it doesn't ruin their night time routine, let them nap wherever they will go to sleep. This may not work for all kids, but it does for mine so maybe it's worth a try.
try putting him down for nap sooner. also it could be an attention thing and he is getting attention for getting out of bed.
