Toddler Quiet Time: a daily routine to get everyone breathing time
It’s my monthly hop over to day 2 day joys with Rachel. This time it’s all about Toddler Quiet Time. What? I can’t hear you. My toddler is screaming. Oh yes, I’m talking about a designated time everyday when your tot has time peacefully alone in your choice of baby jail. Sound like something you’d like in your house?
Come read my six steps to it. It has really truly worked for me and others I’ve foisted my advice on. The key is to go slowly into it, never use it as a punishment, and implement it according to your child’s personality.
Come get this magic time!
And now for something different: pumpkin patch & friends’ horse barn. Let’s just say the horses made the kids insanely horse crazy (yes!) and me appreciate my horse family after all these years even more. I’ve known Michelle & Rachel for almost 17 years!
::our chunky love muffin likes pumpkin muffins.
::what is this huge horsie? all hers are soft and little.
::the best tia kk ever takes on the pastures with SuperBoy.
::our bag of apples didn’t make it far.
::will it lick my handie-pandie??
::yes! the poor horse is eyeing the leftover apples.
::michelle made George into the stead for SuperBoy.
::his expression the whole ride.
::self-professed: he loves George. George is his best friend. And he wants to be an equestrian. That’s my son!
I love love love the idea of quiet time, but haven’t been able to do this yet for L, who will be 2 next week. She dropped her morning nap at 13 months (I’ve read that “average” for going down to one nap is 15 months, but that there is a huge range for “normal” between 11-24 months). Anyway, at 13 months she was having intense separation anxiety and I think would have even been crying through Plan B. But such is her temperament, and I gave up on trying to influence anything having to do with her sleeping or being alone a long time ago. That being said, I think your method sounds great, totally respectful of where the child is with when to move on to each step, not forcing it at all. I am a huge proponent of the “I have to go to the bathroom and will be right back” then only come back if they are distressed. That does actually work around here now 🙂 We’ve had days here and there with NO nap (usually due to falling asleep in the car for 5 minutes) and I’ve tried to at least have a quiet time then, so I might try some of your methods the next time that happens 🙂 I’d like to set her up to have a quiet time in the afternoon whenever the afternoon nap goes away.
Understandably, she has her own particular needs. You’re a very attentive mother who’s working with who her daughter is, versus who you “want” her to be! I hope something from here can be helpful for you!! And yes, I’m all about the white lie of having to go to the bathroom. Heck, at some point, you will have to go, right??
I love that you’re so aware of tuning into the child’s needs! So many people are not. Wonderful to have friends who are on the same page, my dear.
[…] sitter is around. You know I love quiet time routines for toddlers & preschoolers {as described here}, and naps. Big believer in protest napping. DO NOT DROP YOUR KID’S NAP unless it’s […]