I've only been doing this for two weeks, but it's been going really great!
Just after Tim turned three, nap time was a real struggle. There were days when he wasn't tired and nap time was more of us fighting to have him stay in bed than him actually getting some rest. And let's face it, Mommies need time to themselves for a little bit. So, I'll admit, I gave in. We made quiet time where he would watch a movie, so the other two could sleep and I could sit down or nap myself. And it worked most days.
As Michael got older, he realized that Tim got to watch movies while he had to go to bed, nap time turned into us fighting him to stay in bed, which would keep Elizabeth up and then the whole household was grumpy. So we gave in again and let Michael sit with Tim during quiet time. This didn't work so great. My boys are really good friends and like to play all the time. Quiet time wasn't quiet and nobody was resting, which defeats the purpose of movie time.
Two weeks ago I got this wonderful idea!!! I don't remember how I came up with it, but I did!
Since Michael has been sick, he's been napping really well in his bed, so I took advantage of it and kept making him go to bed, but now I will let him take ONE book with him in bed. The first couple days I had to keep going to the doorway and tell him he couldn't make noises, so he wouldn't wake up Elizabeth. He'll look at the book for a bit and eventually just put it down and go to sleep.
I have Tim in the front room still, so he and Michael won't be tempted to keep each other awake. I put on a book on tape for Tim, so he won't play with the book and can listen to a story with his eyes closed. There have only been a few days that he hasn't fallen asleep. I have a timer set for an hour, so if he doesn't fall asleep, he knows quiet time is over and can get off the couch.
It's still an adjustment for them to not watch a movie for quiet time, everyday I have had to tell them that they aren't in trouble and didn't get TV taken away, but that we're trying something new, so they can help their bodies get big and strong.
It's really working for us and I finally feel like quiet time is a productive rest time.
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