16 Month Old Will NOT Nap

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I disagree, respectfully, with the notion to let the child play. At first I thought the child didn't need the nap but then you described her behavior without it.

For what it's worth, we have trained our children to know what it means to "go to sleep" by about 12 months. A child that age can be "forced" to go to sleep if they are tired in the sense of disciplining them to lay still for about 5 mins.

I don't know why it works but a stern male voice "Go to sleep" does. In some circumstances, I have also held a wiggly, screaming child still until they are literally exhausted from the struggle. It might take a few tries.

Also, consider that, at this age, the child might be teething and that could affect their sleep and some Tylenol might help.

Mia napped fine on Saturday...but not on Sunday. I was napping and my wife went into Amelia's room a number of times to find her standing up and not laying down. My wife slapped her hand and said "Lay down!"...Mia immediately laid down. She understands the command.

I woke up and saw I was alone and asked my wife what was going on...so I told her to let me go in the next time. Within 5 minutes, Mia was up again. I went into her room. Bellowed out her name, slapped her hand, and sternly said "Lay down!", then I laid her on her back myself and put a blanket over her. She cried for ten minutes (rubbing her eyes from tiredness) then proceeded to sleep for the next 1 1/2 hours :)

When she woke up from her nap, she made her usual noises...when we went in to get her...she was laying down. I asked her if she'd like to get up...she kept laying there. I reached for her, and she extended her arms...she wasn't sure if she was allowed to stand up! I found that amusing.
 
It might have been from your perspective. I think as parents, we tend to lose touch with viewing things from the child's perspective...and I've been there, so this is not a beat down :)
 
It might have been from your perspective. I think as parents, we tend to lose touch with viewing things from the child's perspective...and I've been there, so this is not a beat down :)

Not to chide you, or anything...but I was *also* grieved by how Mia reacted...I don't say this to make anyone think better of me...quite honestly, I don't care. I mention this to ask that we avoid unnecessary psychoanalysis.
 
I wasn't psychoanalyzing. I'm sorry that you mistook my statement as such. It was a statement simply made from experience...I have 7 of my own children and have helped raise others.
 
Craig, I am not in any way trying to be negative, but can I make two suggestions?

1) It is best to not raise your voice when disciplining or training children because you don't want them to get the impression that they only have to obey or you are only serious when you raise your voice. Firm but calm is what we are aiming for.

2) I would not smack a baby's hand for something not even related to their hands, yk? That is what the Lord gave very cushioned bottoms for ;) Or giving their thigh a swat would be safer than their hand. Baby's hands are very delicate, so it is best to avoid swatting their hands.

I applaud you for taking charge and helping your wife out. A lot of men just let their wives handle all child rearing and only get involved rarely or never, and usually with very bad tempers when they do. :)
 
Hah, maybe you should go in and say, "All done! Time to get up now! What a good job you did laying down and resting! xxxooo and so forth and so on..."

Even females of that age love to bathe in affirmation...
 
I have the impression that she knows if she jumps up and down it results in your wife going in there. I really think your wife should try ignoring that behavior (as in, don't go back in there once she puts her down) and it may likely stop.
 
I have the impression that she knows if she jumps up and down it results in your wife going in there. I really think your wife should try ignoring that behavior (as in, don't go back in there once she puts her down) and it may likely stop.

The disciplining has worked tremendously. Today, my wife went in a couple of times to slap her hand and lay her down...the final time, Mia saw her Mom walk in and knew she was busted...she made a nose-dive for the bed to lay down. She got her slap and fell asleep shortly thereafter.
 
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