How to Get Work Done when Your Child No Longer Naps

As your child grows, she will inevitably grow out of taking naps. For some parents this may come as early as 18 months, for some it happens in the 2 to 3 year range. Nap time is a time that most parents use to get work done at home. This may be doing housework or perhaps a project for a work at home job. Whatever the type of work, the fact that your child no longer naps will make it harder if not impossible to get this work done. Do not worry and start pulling out your hair. There is a way to get your work done when your child no longer naps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get a medium size plastic storage container with a lid. You can decorate the outside of it with stickers of some of your child's favorite characters. You want to make this box look as special as you can so that your child knows that it is her special box for when you are working. Use glitter stickers letters to spell out your child's name on the box. This will especially come in handy if you have more then one child. Make a box for each child to call their own.

2. Make each box special for the child that you are designing it for. To be able to get work done when your child no longer naps, you need to have items that will keep their attention for long periods of time. These items should also be items that can be enjoyed quietly. Place one or two special videos that your child does not get to watch. This will let your child know that this is quiet time. Place some puzzles and craft projects and toys in the box to help you to get work done when your child no longer naps.

3. When you need time to get work done, take out your child's special quiet box. Explain to your child that it is work time for you and for her. Set her up in the same room that you are in with her quiet box so that you can get work done and still keep an eye on her. By keeping your child occupied, you will be able to get more work done.

4. Stay with this routine to help you to get work done now that your child no longer naps. At first, you may only get 30 minutes of time to get work done. As you begin to use the quiet box on a regular basis, your child will get used to working on her own for longer periods of time. Every so often, you will need to change up the toys and crafts in the quiet box to keep it having the feeling of being special.