if your toddler no longer say sleeps what do you do for downtime
we tried putting DD, 2yrs old, in her room for an hour, couldnt close the door as we dont want her hating her room, so left the door open but of course she just keeps coming out.
have thought of putting a DVD on for an hour for her to watch but not particually keen on that idea unless the DVD's as of some educational value.
its for her downtime and mine!!
I actually put my bigger one in bed with books and she has quiet reading time - or her colouring books and pencils and generally she will end up falling asleep anyway!
Could you put a gate on her door? Use the excuse to your munchkin that its so the pets (if you have them) or you or whatever, dont disrupt her quiet time?
Luckily DS2 still sleeps for at least 2 1/2 hours, but DS1 is pretty hit and miss now. Some days he will sleep, most he won't. But he is old enough to understand "quiet time", especially seeing as they do that at day care and kindy as well. So if he doesn't sleep he will usually at least lie on his bed quietly.
IKWYM about the DVDs but I have to admit that I have resorted to it myself to get a break during the day when he won't sleep or lie quietly. I have come to accept that it might not be ideal, but once in a while is probably not going to hurt, and if it gives me some "me time" than it's worth it. I wouldn't do it everyday, but if you need to do it sometimes, especially while you are pg and must really need the rest, I can't see the harm.
We had a gate on the boys' room for a while, and they didn't hate the room at all. But even DS2 can open the gates with ease now (nothing like having a big brother to show you how ) so that isn't an option for us anymore. However, it could be worth a try for you!
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