Don’t do this to me!!
Dear Munchkin,
I love you. I love you with all my heart. That being said, you are 32 months old – just a little over 2 and a half.
You are not old enough to try and give up your afternoon nap.
Now, this is the second time that this has happened. Both times, you are cranky, screaming and no fun to be around by dinnertime. This makes dinner very unpleasant for me, your Daddy, and your little brother. We like food. Our enjoyment of dinner and subsequent digestion of said meal is badly affected by a temper tantrum when the dinner is not one of your current favorites. We cannot eat macaroni and cheese with hot dogs every night. We cannot eat pancakes every night. You cannot get dessert without eating your dinner, or making a good faith effort to eat your dinner. Those are the rules in this house. But because you did not have your nap, dinner was no fun for anyone.
You also are very rude to your Daddy when you are over-tired. This will get you in trouble. Mommy will not intercede for you when Daddy says you need a time-out. We are a united front, and you cannot play us off each other. Also, when one of us makes a rule, we will both enforce it. If Daddy says no apple juice, do not come to Mommy asking for juice. Or a cookie. Or Pocky. Or extra TV.
Just because you don’t feel like taking the nap doesn’t mean that you don’t need it. Trust me, you need it. Mommy needs it. Mommy likes it when you and Tad nap at the same time, because then she can get things done, and then you both wake up reasonably happy at the same time. If you do not nap, then Mommy can’t get as many things done, and you don’t remember to stay quiet so that Tad can take his nap in peace. Mommy was not happy when you started yelling and woke him up. Do you remember that time-out?
You are a growing girl and need your sleep, sweetheart. Please take your naps. It will make everyone around here – you included – a whole lot happier.
Love,
Mommy
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August 28th, 2006 08:18
I would kill for a nap right about now… the Munchkin doesn’t know what she’s missing!
August 28th, 2006 09:54
Oh Dear – just what every Mummy (and Daddy!) dreads! She might just be going through a little phase, maybe she’ll get back into her napping routine again soon. I hope so! How about inroducing a ‘Quiet Time?’ I used to put Mophead up to her room – with the incentive (ok – bribe!) of a little treat and her music CDs for about a half hour. Sometimes she played happily but quite often she just put herself to bed for a little nap.
Good Luck – I feel for you all!