Sleep, Baby, Sleep

Let's talk about sleep, baby.

Let's talk about you and me.

Let's talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be.

Let's talk about sleep.

Maybe George Michael was talking about something far more exciting in his popular song but if you are a daycare provider successful sleepers are far more exciting than sex anyway. That said, let's talk about sleep.

Nap time can be the bane of a daycare provider's existence. Regardless of how successful the day has been, throw one non-sleeping, screaming kid into the mix and suddenly you start to question why you choose to provide daycare at all. Before you know it, there are five or more crying children all awake and your break is finished before it got started. Tired, hungry and fed-up you get all the kids up and carry on with your day. Now all the kids are over-tired and cranky and you realize, as you look at the clock that the next fours hours are going to be the longest of your life. Does it have to be this way? No, it does not.

There are any numbers of reasons a daycare provider, if desired, does not have the luxury of a house full of slumbering kids and a much needed afternoon break for herself. Some of these reasons include parental requests and a lack of knowledgeable skills pertaining to what works in regards to getting kids to lay down to sleep and stay asleep.

Parental requests to not allow little Johnny to nap are frequent. For some reason most parents have the misguided notion that over-tired children are more apt to fall down in a coma state at bedtime. How wrong they are. There is much research on the developing brain of children that cites most children are sleep deprived and get into a viscous cycle of being overtired and therefore, unable to quiet their brains and allow quality sleep. Not allowing a child to nap perpetuates the cycle of over stimulation that carries on day to night. Sadly, the child never experiences quality sleep and suffers the effects of sleep deprivation which can include everything from problems learning to poor behaviour.

When a parent asks me to not allow their child to nap I am upfront and honest. I flatly refuse the request. I explain to parents that nap time is important not only for the children but for myself as well. I make it very clear that the inability of a child to nap while in my care will result in termination of services. And I mean every word. I will simply not be party to allowing a child be exhausted. Therefore, if a child is in my care I can guarantee they are napping.

Introducing new children into care always presents a challenge. Rarely is a new child sleep ready and accustomed to self soothing at nap time. In fact, if I were to count the number of children I have cared for I might be able to think of a single child who, upon their first day in care, went down at nap time and slept for an acceptable amount of time. I find that in today's society many children do not have a set nap period but rather fall asleep while in the car running errands or in the stroller at Mommy and Me walks. These children arrive at daycare not having a nap routine in place.

My nap routine for children who resist sleep is simple. I employ the cry-it-out technique that is the shared opinion of pediatricians like Dr. Weissbluth and Dr. Ferber. I place the child in a playpen or crib in a room of the house not shared with any children. I tell the child it is now time to sleep, give them a quick rub on their back and leave. Yes, they cry; they cry a lot. However, knowing this method works I do not, under any circumstances, give in to the crying. Through the course of nap time I will periodically go back in, lay the child down and repeat that it is sleep time but under no circumstances will I pick up the child or take the child out of the playpen. Little contact is made. The visit is short and I leave as soon as possible.

Many parents abhor this technique and will disclaim it's merits. However, as a daycare provider who has transitioned many children into care I can say, with honesty, this technique works. Within a week or two the child will learn that nap time is nap time. You will have a blissfully sleeping child who will wake up refreshed, energized and happy to greet the rest of the day. What more could a daycare provider want then happy, well rested children? What a gift to give a parent as well - a child who is happy and ready to spend a few hours with them at the end of the day. How wonderful to spend time with a joyful child than one who is cranky and overtired.

As daycare providers we juggle many tasks. One of those task should not be napping. There is no reason any daycare provider should have children attached to her hip mid-afternoon simply because that child will not, or is not allowed to nap. What a disservice we are doing to both the child and ourselves.

Decide today to take back your "union break". Demand that all children nap and then carry out whatever is needed to ensure your demands are met. And for goodness sake, set straight those parents who request their child not sleep. Let them know that this is your business and your rules apply. If parents do not like the service provided they are free to go elsewhere.

I still have a glorious one hour and forty minutes left of my "union break". I think I'll put on a pot of coffee and sip the sweet nectar of the God's in the silence that fills my home. All my kids are asleep. Are yours?

For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca