Youngest dropped nap and Nanny is angry (or lost)

[Anonymous]

I have been a nanny for over 18 years.
Most children I have cared for have napped until 4.
I wouldn't let a 2 yo or 3 yo not nap or at least have a down time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been a nanny for over 18 years.
Most children I have cared for have napped until 4.
I wouldn't let a 2 yo or 3 yo not nap or at least have a down time.

Not your call. My youngest was ready to drop her nap at 3. I would have fired our nanny if she gave me a hard time about it as nanny’s feelings are secondary to my children’s well being. Instead, our wonderful nanny had activities - both quiet and active - planned for her afternoons.

It doesn’t sound like OP has a nanny. Sounds to me like she has a housekeeper who babysits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I will give her some more suggestions or get out one thing every evening for little one to do. Self-play 4-6 hours an afternoon is not good. Neither is nanny hiding in the kitchen or on the couch - which is not our priority at all.

First couple weeks back in school can be rough on everyone. We talked and she'd like the 3 yo (who is as large as a 4.5 yo and super energetic w/o naps) to have some activities to sign up for after 9-12 class. She has soccer, I will look into more that fit in with the family schedule.

It sounds like your 3 yo’s prior schedule was 9-12 class, lunch, nap, older sibling comes home and they would play together. Um so when would nanny play with her, if at all?? And now she’s asking to replace the nap with activities. In other words, nanny is not interested in engaging with your kids. I agree with a PP that she sounds like a housekeeper who babysits. I hope she’s good at cooking and cleaning because she’s clearly a mediocre babysitter.

[Anonymous]

She's certainly not a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been a nanny for over 18 years.
Most children I have cared for have napped until 4.
I wouldn't let a 2 yo or 3 yo not nap or at least have a down time.

Not your call. My youngest was ready to drop her nap at 3. I would have fired our nanny if she gave me a hard time about it as nanny’s feelings are secondary to my children’s well being. Instead, our wonderful nanny had activities - both quiet and active - planned for her afternoons.

It doesn’t sound like OP has a nanny. Sounds to me like she has a housekeeper who babysits.

I am the person you replied to.
The decisions I make as a professional nanny is only about the children's wellbeing, not my own.
MOST kids who are 3 need a nap but indeed a few of them don't and you can't force them to sleep.
But they'll need to have some quiet time in the afternoon so that you, as a parent, don't come home to a bouncing child

[Anonymous]

In my 20 years as a preschool teacher, I've never known a three year old who didn't need a nap. Sometimes parents don't recognize overtired behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my 20 years as a preschool teacher, I've never known a three year old who didn't need a nap. Sometimes parents don't recognize overtired behavior.

I agree. It looks like they are angry to pay the nanny "doing nothing" and that anger is above their own child's well being. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my 20 years as a preschool teacher, I've never known a three year old who didn't need a nap. Sometimes parents don't recognize overtired behavior.

I agree. It looks like they are angry to pay the nanny "doing nothing" and that anger is above their own child's well being. Sad.

Pediatrician here. Lots of children at three years of age are happy and able to drop the afternoon nap. As long as the child is getting 12 solid hours of sleep each night, it is fine to stop napping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my 20 years as a preschool teacher, I've never known a three year old who didn't need a nap. Sometimes parents don't recognize overtired behavior.

I agree. It looks like they are angry to pay the nanny "doing nothing" and that anger is above their own child's well being. Sad.

Pediatrician here. Lots of children at three years of age are happy and able to drop the afternoon nap. As long as the child is getting 12 solid hours of sleep each night, it is fine to stop napping.

Not true. It's not "lots of children", it's "some" children, and I've been working with children for almost 20 years. I have yet to see a 3yo who doesn't need a nap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my 20 years as a preschool teacher, I've never known a three year old who didn't need a nap. Sometimes parents don't recognize overtired behavior.

I agree. It looks like they are angry to pay the nanny "doing nothing" and that anger is above their own child's well being. Sad.

Pediatrician here. Lots of children at three years of age are happy and able to drop the afternoon nap. As long as the child is getting 12 solid hours of sleep each night, it is fine to stop napping.

Not true. It's not "lots of children", it's "some" children, and I've been working with children for almost 20 years. I have yet to see a 3yo who doesn't need a nap.

Another teacher here with 20 years plus of experience. LOTS of three-year-olds drop the afternoon nap. So many in fact that my school has two classes of three year olds - one in the morning and one inthe afternoon. None of the afternoon kids nap.

You are a daycare teacher, right? Daycares have a mandatory rest time. Your kids are just inthe habit of napping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my 20 years as a preschool teacher, I've never known a three year old who didn't need a nap. Sometimes parents don't recognize overtired behavior.

I agree. It looks like they are angry to pay the nanny "doing nothing" and that anger is above their own child's well being. Sad.

Pediatrician here. Lots of children at three years of age are happy and able to drop the afternoon nap. As long as the child is getting 12 solid hours of sleep each night, it is fine to stop napping.

Not true. It's not "lots of children", it's "some" children, and I've been working with children for almost 20 years. I have yet to see a 3yo who doesn't need a nap.

Another teacher here with 20 years plus of experience. LOTS of three-year-olds drop the afternoon nap. So many in fact that my school has two classes of three year olds - one in the morning and one inthe afternoon. None of the afternoon kids nap.

You are a daycare teacher, right? Daycares have a mandatory rest time. Your kids are just inthe habit of napping.

+2. DS’s Montessori preschool is afternoons at 3. I think the first teacher who can’t imagine three-year-olds not napping works in a daycare.