Parents Want Me To "Shorten" Nap Time

[BrynleeJean]

I've sort of asked. I've had a parent or two that would say things to me like "so and so just hasn't been sleeping well at home how have they been sleeping here" and ill say "just fine they slept from blah to blah" usually like 12:30-2:30 or 3:00 depending on how tired but all my kids slept awesome expect the new little babies. those same parents would ask that same question like every day or 3-5 days a week and be like "hmm" after each time like maybe they wanted to say something but never did lucky me. id just smile and say THEY SLEPT GREAT! NAPS FROM 12:30-2:30 OR 3:00 HAVE A GOOD NIGHT!! HAHA

but my state requires me to lay them down for the first hour, and if they wake up after that or didnt nap that hour (even if during my nap time) i have to give them an "alternate activity" to do while the others sleep. not convenient but was luckily never really an issue.

[nannyde]

I don't discuss naps with parents other than giving the times. If they ask for a shortened nap I refer to my policy of "I don't provide service to children who don't need a FULL afternoon nap."

That way it's not personal. It's about what the child NEEDS. I don't have to discuss the parents keeping their kids up later, actually spending TIME with them at night, and having a solid bedtime routine.

They can do as they wish at home and I just provide service if the child NEEDS a nap from 12:15 to 2:45 pm

[Unregistered]

Do not shorten nap

I have "those" parents, the ones that don't like to hear their princess cry. Princess, 2 years fights bedtime and they comply with her and fight with her, run to her and so on. Obviously she is getting what she wants so why not. So, because she fights them they blame the nap here 1-3. I mean it can't be at all their parenting or lack of. They want me to get her up after one hour because they think she is fighting them because she is not tired at bedtime. She fights them because they play into it her game. Have you guys ever been asked to shorten nap time? I am not planning on listening to their request anyways. But just wanted to see how you would handle this. Thanks

No way would I shorten nap time. That is your break time. Do they shorten their break times at work?! Heck no. I would say, “Sorry our nap time is from __ to ___ daily and everyone naps at this time.”

[Blackcat31]

I don't know who these providers are that get a break during rest time. I do paperwork, clean up from the morning, prep for the afternoon and do anything else that requires doing.

I'm lucky if I am able to eat a couple bites of lunch myself during this so called "break".

I am still responsible for and supervising the children whether they are sleeping or awake so again...not really understanding how some providers are getting a break during this part of the day. :confused:

A break to me, means NOT working (having to be responsible for or supervising) for those 15 or 30 minutes allotted for break or lunch in normal 9-5 type jobs.

[LostMyMarbles]

In the past, I've let parents know that I'd make an attempt to shorten nap time. Then I do nothing. And the parents report the placebo effect. :P

Ditto. It is a placebo effect. I have one who "rested today" when mom asks if he slept. She never asked what rested ment. Amazing how he sleeps much better now that he is resting instead if napping .

[Unregistered]

I don't know who these providers are that get a break during rest time. I do paperwork, clean up from the morning, prep for the afternoon and do anything else that requires doing.

I'm lucky if I am able to eat a couple bites of lunch myself during this so called "break".

I am still responsible for and supervising the children whether they are sleeping or awake so again...not really understanding how some providers are getting a break during this part of the day. :confused:

A break to me, means NOT working (having to be responsible for or supervising) for those 15 or 30 minutes allotted for break or lunch in normal 9-5 type jobs.

I am with you on the not getting a break. There is always something to do. If I am taking a break, something is not getting cleaned up, ect. Plus I have an infant that takes a very short nap at naptime.

[Ms. Alison]

I have had a parent ask that of me. It was very frustrating because their daughter knew they made the request and so if I asked her to lay down during nap, she would sob so loud she would keep the other children up. So my only option was to give her a quiet task to do during nap time. She was older though, so she was able to do quiet activities on her own.

But... to help with your situation, I was told that by law I am not allowed to physically wake a child (unless it's due to an emergency, of course). I tell parents this. I am legally obligated to allow them time to nap when they are tired and if they are still sleeping when the other children are awake, I cannot physically wake them up. We allow the other children to play and we turn on the lights and open the blinds, but they have to wake on their own. You could always just use the law as an excuse as to why you can't wake her early. That might work. Good luck!

[Unregistered]

I would just respond according to your states requirements. Some places do allow quiet time during the nap period, that is if child is not disrupting the others. Nap time is required by law for specific ages

[Unregistered]

Toddler Parent

I have "those" parents, the ones that don't like to hear their princess cry. Princess, 2 years fights bedtime and they comply with her and fight with her, run to her and so on. Obviously she is getting what she wants so why not. So, because she fights them they blame the nap here 1-3. I mean it can't be at all their parenting or lack of. They want me to get her up after one hour because they think she is fighting them because she is not tired at bedtime. She fights them because they play into it her game. Have you guys ever been asked to shorten nap time? I am not planning on listening to their request anyways. But just wanted to see how you would handle this. Thanks

Wow- as a parent of a 3 year old researching online whether or not I should request that our daycare shorten a nap, this is an extremely discouraging and judgmental post to come across from a daycare employee. Your assumptions about their parenting and the child's behavior at home seem unfounded. Do you live at home with them? I would agree that 2 years old is perhaps a little young to start shortening naps- but there is plenty of evidence out there that 3-4 year olds begin cutting out naps- that should be done gradually. The daycare my child goes to is willing to work with us, as they should. We pay them a lot of money. I understand it probably makes more work for the employees and shortens their downtime. Maybe you should consider a job that is less stressful?

[Cat Herder]

Wow- as a parent of a 3 year old researching online whether or not I should request that our daycare shorten a nap, this is an extremely discouraging and judgmental post to come across from a daycare employee. Your assumptions about their parenting and the child's behavior at home seem unfounded. Do you live at home with them? I would agree that 2 years old is perhaps a little young to start shortening naps- but there is plenty of evidence out there that 3-4 year olds begin cutting out naps- that should be done gradually. The daycare my child goes to is willing to work with us, as they should. We pay them a lot of money. I understand it probably makes more work for the employees and shortens their downtime. Maybe you should consider a job that is less stressful?

Nobody can make a child sleep. It isn't possible without medical intervention. If they are still asleep, they will be allowed to finish out naptime. I would be wary of any program that woke sleeping children as that does not meet their basic needs. Naptimes are based on actual science for the majority of children with the amount of physical activity during our daily schedule. Since we work in group care, this is how we meet all the children's needs. If a child wakes on their own they are allowed to read and play quietly until the other children finish their naps.

If preschoolers are fighting an early bedtime at home (as most do, it is age-appropriate behavior), parents should consider adding more exercise after dinner to burn energy from calories consumed or pushing bedtime back to 8 pm as those things are also proven and won't disturb other children's health and growth.

Also, OP was venting to her co-workers. This is our water cooler.

[LostMyMarbles]

Wow- as a parent of a 3 year old researching online whether or not I should request that our daycare shorten a nap, this is an extremely discouraging and judgmental post to come across from a daycare employee. Your assumptions about their parenting and the child's behavior at home seem unfounded. Do you live at home with them? I would agree that 2 years old is perhaps a little young to start shortening naps- but there is plenty of evidence out there that 3-4 year olds begin cutting out naps- that should be done gradually. The daycare my child goes to is willing to work with us, as they should. We pay them a lot of money. I understand it probably makes more work for the employees and shortens their downtime. Maybe you should consider a job that is less stressful?

You are free to ask your provider anything, you provider is free to accept or deny your request. If you are denied a request you feel strongly about, you should seek other care. If your provider feels strongly about denying your request, she is free to terminate care.

We, as providers, set our own rule in our facilities. For those of us who give out a hand book and have a contract, some have a specific nap time rule. Some have a nap or get out rule. Some are ok with non nappers at 2, 3, or 4 years old.

We own the joint and get to say yes or no to a request based on the program we choose to run. We choose this career, we choose to be the boss, we choose the rules.

[Ariana]

Wow- as a parent of a 3 year old researching online whether or not I should request that our daycare shorten a nap, this is an extremely discouraging and judgmental post to come across from a daycare employee. Your assumptions about their parenting and the child's behavior at home seem unfounded. Do you live at home with them? I would agree that 2 years old is perhaps a little young to start shortening naps- but there is plenty of evidence out there that 3-4 year olds begin cutting out naps- that should be done gradually. The daycare my child goes to is willing to work with us, as they should. We pay them a lot of money. I understand it probably makes more work for the employees and shortens their downtime. Maybe you should consider a job that is less stressful?

Kids get an hour rest time. It is mandated here until 6 years old. If a child falls asleep I do not wake them. If a child does not fall asleep they are able to do quiet activities on their bed.

Doesn’t sound stressful to me. What causes the issue is when parents want me to keep their kids awake. I cannot and am unwilling to go against what is in the best interest of the child for the sake of making life easier for the parents.

[Snowmom]

Wow- as a parent of a 3 year old researching online whether or not I should request that our daycare shorten a nap, this is an extremely discouraging and judgmental post to come across from a daycare employee. Your assumptions about their parenting and the child's behavior at home seem unfounded. Do you live at home with them? I would agree that 2 years old is perhaps a little young to start shortening naps- but there is plenty of evidence out there that 3-4 year olds begin cutting out naps- that should be done gradually. The daycare my child goes to is willing to work with us, as they should. We pay them a lot of money. I understand it probably makes more work for the employees and shortens their downtime. Maybe you should consider a job that is less stressful?

I find your post extremely discouraging and judgmental as well.

To also point out:
1. We are NOT employees. We are business owners.
2. You have no basis to say the OP's observations are unfounded. You do not live or work with them either.
3. Paying a provider money does not equate to you making the rules in GROUP care. Your wishes do not trump the needs of all the children in their care OR the providers.
4. YOU are passing judgement suggesting these people who disagree with you should "find a job less stressful".

[Ms.Kay]

i find your post extremely discouraging and judgmental as well.

To also point out:
1. We are not employees. We are business owners.
2. You have no basis to say the op's observations are unfounded. You do not live or work with them either.
3. Paying a provider money does not equate to you making the rules in group care. Your wishes do not trump the needs of all the children in their care or the providers.
4. you are passing judgement suggesting these people who disagree with you should "find a job less stressful".

rock that!!!!!

[AmyKidsCo]

I have been asked to but don't. If a child is sleeping that much they need that sleep.

BlackCat - I consider nap time a "break" because I can relax a bit and don't have to be "on alert." Aside from my current nap-disrupting child, even when kiddos don't sleep I get some "down-time" because I know they'll stay on their cots and read or play quietly. It's not the same as being off, but it's a break from the rest of the day.