end of naps?

[brachysira]

So DS, recently 2, is gymnastic in his ability to get out of his crib and has recently discovered it's fun.  In a super-nanny style stand-off 2 nights ago, he had us put him back in bed for 2.5 hours, laughing (on his end) all the way, until DH finally drove him around to get him to go to sleep as we were physically too exhausted to continue to carry him back to bed.  Feb child DD does not nap much anymore, but will do quiet time for an hour or more.  Now that DS is onto getting out of bed, he will not do quiet time and will not go down for nap, despite the fact that he pretty much always napped for 1-2 hours before his crib tricks started.  DS doesn't need naps to stay sane as he is just calmer than DD, but I feel like he still needs the sleep to feel optimal.  DD will catch on soon that DS isn't napping and that will be the end of any afternoon peace.  I think that part of DS's desire to sleep less has to do with the onset of cold weather which means he isn't getting hours of outside time every day.  He's intimidated by bounce arenas and toddler fitness classes, so it's hard to get him inside exercise.

Any suggestions?  Should I just throw in the towel and start planning ways to keep us busy in the afternoons?   

[pinkie]

Ugh! I can't imagine a two year old making it through the day without a nap but also our kids really really need it. If he's climbing out I don't know what you can do. I would try a nap mat or sleeping bag on the floor or maybe in a bed before throwing in the towel.

Another thought is dropping the nap and then moving bedtime up a lot (like 1-2 hours earlier). Our sleep consultant suggested that.

[dc2london]

DS2 stopped napping a few months after turning 2 and he has been fine. It felt too early but he really does ok

[kleigh926]

I would probably keep trying naps or quiet time for awhile in case it's just a phase he's going through and he starts napping again after a couple weeks. At 2 years old I would totally babyproof the room and either put a doorknob cover on or lock it so he has to stay in there even if he doesn't stay in his crib/bed. I can't imagine my 2-year-old making it through the day without a nap but he's always really needed his sleep and I know there are kids that young who drop it. I still think quiet time is a good idea though for everyone's sanity and so I would try to keep him in his room for an hour whether or not he sleeps.

[brachysira]

Well, no naps today. We walked sister to school and then I took him swimming and then to music class and stayed after to run wild. Still not willing to lie down. His door doesn't completely close because our house is all warped and so I can't figure out how to lock him in but that isn't a bad idea and I will try to get DH on board with coming up with a solution. For bed we've been driving him around, which cannot be good, but it's all we're up to doing.