My girl friend Anne Rieger gave me some good advice. She told me that what worked for her was deciding a nap time and sticking to it. But making sure that Noah knows I mean business when it is time to nap. So, I did what she said. The first day was a little tough but he's back on schedule and knows that when he gets put into his crib, it isn't time to play but is strictly time to sleep. And I have decided that no matter what time he wakes up, if it is before the time I decide for him to get up, then he stays in his crib.
We were somewhat doing the above tactics but traveling threw us off quite a bit and it has been a struggle since to regain the freedom that naptime affords me. So, once I lay Noah down, if he pops up again in protest, I go right back in and put him back on his back. The first day, it took 20 times and a couple of flicks on the leg (not spankings, but a snap or two to get his attention) and he finally protested himself to sleep. Same thing for each nap since then. But today, he went down without any peep.
I will keep you all posted on how things continue but so far, so good! I ordered two books this week that I am anxious to read (I know, that takes my list to 10!). The first is "No-Cry Method: Nap" and "The Happiest Toddler on the Corner." Both books boast about being the go-to texts on child and toddler napping help. I am looking forward to reading about how much I DON'T KNOW about making my child happy :) Just kidding... not really.
