At first, it was almost impossible: they came home full of energy and refused to rest, which made them more irritable and distracted during the afternoon. So I decided to try different strategies, trying to transform that moment into something special and relaxing.
We dimmed the lights, played soft music, and even tried cuddling up with a book. Some days it worked, but other days, it felt like a battle I could never win. I don’t want to force it, but I also know they need that rest. Anyone else dealing with this? What actually works?!
Omg, I could’ve written this myself! My kiddo also comes home wired from daycare, and it’s like a full-blown wrestling match trying to get them to wind down. I’ve noticed that giving them 30 mins of quiet playtime before even attempting a nap helps. No screens, just puzzles or books in a cozy spot. It doesn’t work every time, but it has made a huge difference in how much they resist. You’re not alone in this!!
Lol, I swear they pump them full of energy at daycare just to send them home like little tornados. My kid will literally be yawning on the drive home, then the second we walk in, bam! Fully recharged. I tried everything, blackout curtains, sound machines, a ridiculous number of stuffed animals. Finally, I gave up and just started laying down on the couch pretending to sleep. Guess what? Kid started copying me. Reverse psychology for the win!
Ugh, I feel this so much. Some days I just give up and let them skip the nap because the fight is not worth it. But then, of course, they turn into a grumpy little monster by 5 pm, and I regret everything. I don’t have answers, just solidarity. It’s rough
It gets better, I promise! My kid used to fight naps so hard, but after a while, they started realizing how good it felt to rest. I think consistency was key for us, same routine, same expectations, no negotiations. It took a while, but now they’ll even ask for their nap sometimes. Hang in there!
I totally get it! My little one struggled with naps after daycare, and we finally cracked the code (at least, for us). Here’s what worked:
Snack First : Sometimes they’re just too hungry to settle down. A small, protein-packed snack helped.
Movement Break : A short, calming activity like stretching, coloring, or even a slow walk outside helped transition from the high-energy daycare mode.
Consistent Cues : We used the same phrase every day, like “time to rest our bodies.” Also, blackout curtains + white noise machine = game changers.
No Pressure : Some days, they’d just have quiet time instead of a nap, and that was okay. Often, they’d end up dozing off anyway.
It took a few weeks to click, but now naps are way easier. Hope some of this helps!
I totally feel you. My little one went through a phase where naps were the ultimate battle, and what finally helped was turning the process into something fun and predictable.
Here’s what we did:
Wind, down Routine: About 20 minutes before nap time, we’d dim the lights and put on the same “nap time” playlist. It was mostly soft lullabies or nature sounds.
Weighted Blanket: If your kiddo likes cuddles, a light weighted blanket might help them feel cozy and secure.
Guided Imagery: I’d tell a “dream story”, a super calm story about them floating on a cloud or cuddling with a soft animal in a quiet forest. This helped them relax without realizing it.
Set Expectations: I’d say, “It’s time to rest our bodies so we can have more fun later.”
Some days were better than others, but once we stuck to this, naps became way less stressful. Hope this helps!
I swear naps after daycare should be an Olympic sport for parents, who can get their kid to sleep the fastest without a meltdown?! 
I’m in the same boat, though. My kid refuses to sleep, but the second we get in the car for a late afternoon errand? Out cold. Every. Single. Time.
I’ve tried lying with them, using a calm, down bottle, even setting up a tent in their room to make it “special.” Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Do you ever let your kid skip the nap and just put them to bed earlier? I’ve been debating if that would help or just make things worse. Curious if anyone else has tried this!
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. My kids are older now, but when they were that age, naps were a serious struggle. What worked for us was shifting the focus to rest rather than sleep. I’d say, “You don’t have to sleep, but you do need to lay down and rest for 30 minutes.” No toys, just quiet music or an audiobook. Nine times out of ten, they’d be out before the 30 minutes were up.
Also, around 3.5, 4 years old, we phased out naps completely and replaced them with earlier bedtimes. If your little one is fighting naps but crashing hard at night, it might be time to start transitioning. It’s tough, but it does get easier!