Paisley somehow managed to make it through a whole year at Mothers Day Out before I got the much-dreaded, yet very expected, bad report from school.
It read, "Paisley is having an issue with naptime. She won't stay on her mat and bothers the other kids. After telling her multiple times, she was sent to Ms. Kim's office."
She hasn't taken a nap there again since that day and they've stopped sending me notes because I guess my lack of reaction must make them realize that it's a waste of their time.
Instead of taking a walk of shame with my note in hand, I got a chuckle out of it and put it in her baby book. I did talk to her about not bothering the other kids, but I don't see any need in punishing her over this.
Well, now they are worried because Graham only wants to nap for 20-30 minutes. Duh. That's all he ever naps at home. When I try to explain that to the three women who all address it with me every time I pick up, I'm met with blank stares as if they just can't fathom the thought of a 10-month-old who doesn't need a ninety minute nap at 12:00 pm in a foreign place with strange people and 7 other noisy babies. Hmmm.
So, am I crazy for not feeling like doing some crazy sleep training on my baby who sleeps 11 hours well overnight but only likes catnaps during the day OR on my almost 3 year old who no longer requires naps and still only sleeps 8-9 hours at night???
They only go for 5 hours. Surely there have been other children who don't need naps... And how is it that I feel like they somehow think I can control these two little munchkins and send over sleepy time vibes when they need it?
Don't get me wrong- I adore this place and waited a long time to get in. The kids love it and I feel great about where they are. But I just can't try to force my non sleepers to do something two days of the week that they aren't doing the other 5 days...
I have a friend who has a similar sleeper to yours and everyone who watches him just can't believe it.
ReplyDeleteAvery is a terrible night sleeper, but a fantastic napper. So I can't relate on the daycare side of things.
I think it's hilarious that you put it in her baby book and went about your day! I would have been so freaked out, when who cares!
As a former daycare employee, I do understand the importance of keeping everyone on a tight schedule. Places like that thrive on schedules and naps are crucial. However, at my old center we had a "no nappers" program where if the parents didn't want there kid napping or if the kid just wasn't a napper, they could go in this other group for naptime..where they did quiet activities. Which helped in letting the other kids sleep. But they can't force a kid or baby to nap! hahaha So they can send all the notes home they want, not gonna change things! Maybe you could mention that they start a "no napper" program lol
ReplyDeleteHa- you crack me up! I'm sure P will love seeing that note in her baby book some day!
ReplyDeleteI think not napping isn't anything to speak to a parent about. Some kids do it well and some kids don't. As you know, there aren't any in-between nappers. I would respond the same way you did :) maybe even sarcastically tell them you'll pay extra IF they get your non-nappers to be great 3 hour nappers AND still sleep at night!
ReplyDeleteThey do it the other direction too. When R was in daycare, she was moved to the 1yr old room at 10.5 months and changed to their mandatory schedule of only one nap. She would be so exhausted when she came home that she would nap from 5-7 and then go to bed at 8. It made me feel like I never got to see her. As soon as she quit daycare, she went back to 2 naps until she was almost 2.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me started on people who just don't understand that each child and family are different and have different routines and needs lol! I love how you handled the note - you go mommy!
ReplyDeleteMy wonderfully defiant kids actually nap better at daycare than they do at home. I feel like our daycare lies to us about the time lol. I wonder all the time how they get them to lay down on the cots and just go to sleep. At home it's an hour process to go to bed.
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