2 year old nap problems

[sea_lion9]

My son is 2 years and 3 months old. Over the past month or so nap time has become the most dreaded part of my day. Our routine is this: go upstairs, he runs and sits in the rocking chair while I get his books, blanket, etc. ready, I change his diaper, read 3-4 books, put a book 'night-night' in his crib, turn out the light and snuggle in the rocker. Here's where the fun begins. He will snuggle for a couple of minutes but then just wants to sit on my lap and play and talk. I will then put him in his crib where he will or won't lay down for me. He will either keep asking for more hugs or lay down and go from tummy to back (playing a game with me to put his blanket on him). I leave the room and will leave him in there up to 45 minutes during which time he will throw everything out of his crib, binki, pillow, lovey, and blanket included, but is not screaming or crying. I will then go back in and put everything back in his crib (because I know he won't sleep without it) and try to cuddle him in the chair again and so the process starts.....He will ask for milk, to eat, a drink, to play, anything and I feel that it is just a big game to him. This process will go on for up to 3 hours every day.

It is to the point that most days out of the last week I have had to make him cry by either yelling at him, taking away his binki, lovey or blanket to get him to go to sleep at nap time. I can't do that anymore, it makes me feel like crap to have to do that and I know it's not beneficial for him either!

My hubby can get him to go to sleep no problem on the weekend and bed time isn't really a problem, just nap time. I have tried letting him stay up but then he just gets horribly cranky and ends up going to sleep at around 5 pm for his 'nap'. Bed time is 8pm so that doesn't really work too well.

We just recently gave him a pillow because he insisted upon having one and he has only slept with a blanket about 3 weeks now. He doesn't try to crawl out of his crib, but he is big enough that he would have no trouble if he tried. I don't know if he is trying to tell me he's ready for me to turn the crib into the little toddler bed or what. All I know is that I need help. Any advice or suggestions would be very much appreciated!

Thanks,
Needing a nap myself...

[big-mouth-burgher]

Have you ever thought that he is ready to give up his nap? I know it's a frightening thought, but lost of kids quit napping at that age. In my house we would have quiet time in the afternoon. My boys would go to their rooms and quietly look at books or just lay around for an hour or so.

[sea_lion9]

I have tried letting him stay up and having quiet time, but he just gets cranky and most the time ends up taking a 'nap' at 5 or 6pm. Two days last week he stayed up for 12+ hours straight but we were really busy so he never had the chance to get bored. We changed his bed to a toddler bed and that seems to have helped. He likes to be able to get out of bed and go look at his books or sit in the chair that is in his room.

[kare.bear]

You say your hubby has no problem? Does he just set him in the crib and walk out? Your son knows you'll be coming back so it's a game for him to wait for you. He throws everything out, you come back to put them in...

I recommend you put him in the crib and walk out...Don't stay in the room as a distraction. If he throws out his toys, he has to nap without them. You say he won't sleep without them, but I bet he will after a day or two... You are distracting him and playing a game with him each time you go back in there. Lay him down, walk away, and only come back when naptime is over or if you hear anything on the monitor that would signify he is in distress or danger.