When there is a holiday, occasion, event, party, or even when you just have company over, it can be difficult to keep little ones in their routine. Often, the first thing to go is the regular nap time. Then, the child usually ends up feeling exhausted, and probably cranky, even though it isn't their fault. So, how do you work in naps when you have lots going on, aren't at home, or have a house full of guests?
The routine of the child is interrupted when there is something beyond normal in the home like house guests. For occasions, we just let the child enjoy the event instead of trying to give it a nap albeit it is preferred if the child stays awake and later on would feel exhausted and have a good sleep (when the occasion is over). It's all right to deviate on the routine of the child once in a while. We call that diversion. It gives variety to life. Even if they are children, they can also feel boredom although they cannot explain it.
If the child is tired they will fall asleep quickly no matter if the house is quiet or noisy, so I don't think it will be a big deal as long as there is someone in the house with them to guard them. If they are left alone in the house then the case is still the same, they will sleep when they are already tired, they should just keep the doors locked.
Sure, @Alexandoy breaking the routine every once in a while is not a big thing, especially for a special occasion. I'm talking about when it gets to be a lot. Like, if you have out of town guests staying with you, and the child is lacking sleep for several days. Do you rearrange things in order to let the child get a nap before the next outing or something like that. @tyche Children who are young enough to need a nap, really shouldn't be left alone. Do you mean while you step outside, or do you mean gone somewhere?
@thisnthat, I remember my mom has no problem leaving me home alone even at 8 yrs. old, so I think that's just normal since an 8 yr. old has enough common sense to take care of himself while the parents are out for a while. But if we are talking about infants, then they definitely should not be left alone.
My daughter stopped having naps at one year and a half, she just won't fall asleep no matter what. At first I thought it was really bad but now that I think about it I guess she's just different. She will sometimes take a nap in rare occasions when she hadn't slept well at night but not at a certain time. She's three now and I don't see that it has affected her in any way.
I guess it depends on how mature the child is. I think it also depends on where you live. I don't think it's even legal here to leave a child that young home alone. It's true that all children are different. Some need their naps while others don't seem to need one. Does your daughter go to bed fairly early?
@thisnthat, If that's the case then people in the US are required by law to always have a babysitter I guess. Here in my country we can leave the child at home at any age, and I think the government will only step in if the child has suffered harm or is in danger.
Well, our government interferes way too much. The system doesn't work properly, but that's another thread. I think around here the average acceptable age to leave a child home alone is about 12 (I would have to look it up to be sure legally, but that seems to be the consensus). I suppose in some countries children just grow up faster too. They learn to responsible at a younger age.
@thisnthat No she doesn't, she usually goes to sleep at 11pm to 12pm and wakes up from 9am-11am I guess that is enough rest for her. It is rare that she will sleep the complete 12 hours I am just glad that she has the energy to play so much. When she is very tired on very rare occasions she will fall asleep at 9 pm being the earliest and wakes up fairly late depending on what we do the day before, mostly when we go out all day.
If there is an event going on in your house its hard to make the little one to get a nap and besides they can't sleep well because of the noise and commotion outside. It's not everyday to have that occasion, if they don't want to sleep let them. You can see if they're tired if this happen you can tuck them to sleep.
If she has good energy then I'd say she is getting enough rest. That's good. I see some kids who are falling over because they are so tired. I wonder if they should rest more, because I don't think that's very healthy. One of my kids would actually ask to go to bed when she was tired. I was surprised, but of course, I said yes.
