Rosalie is in that difficult stage that our older children reached somewhere between 15 and 22 months of age, when they quit napping altogether.
It was (and is) clear for a time that the child physically continued to need that rest period but their eagerness to experience the world, and tag along with older siblings, would overrule what their body was telling them and more often than not, I'd end up with a 5:00 "witching hour" and a touchy or grumpy toddler.
Rosalie is following the family pattern though she held her afternoon nap the longest of any of our children - she staunchly refused last week at 27 months old. I do apply my "will" to children when it's clearly best for them, but on this particular issue if the child can demonstrate they can handle no nap and behave well enough without one, I am willing to let it go.
Today though, Rosalie was tap dancing all over that fine line between crabby and way-too-tired crabby. I talked her into laying down in her crib and right now, she's asleep. I think she'll be the better for it too. I read and hear others talk of their 3, 4 or 5 year olds napping. Doesn't happen 'round here unless there's an illness circulating, and even then, it's usually on the couch with siblings present.
I should frame this in the context of how awesome it is that they want to be around each other/me so much - and it is. It's just a little hard in this in-between stage when the mind says "YES!" and the body says "I'm tired!!"
I anticipate a good evening with the child. Hopefully she will wake up happy. Off to fix dinner!
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