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You are here: Home / Toddler / How to Tame the Post-Nap Crankies

How to Tame the Post-Nap Crankies

August 9, 2011

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Do your toddlers wake up from their naps with what I call “the crankies”? Mine do and I’ve tried to develop some strategies to combat it, because my sanity suffers when my kids are whiny.

Easy technique to help your kids stop being cranky after a nap. Great for toddlers!

Whether he has had a short or a long nap, New Kid almost always wakes from his nap with a seriously cranky attitude. One of my strategies to distract him from this tidal wave of whining is to set up, while he is sleeping, his favorite toys (vehicles of all sorts) in an intriguing new arrangement, which I think will capture his interest and prompt some imaginative play. For example:

How to help your kids not be whiny and cranky after a nap.

This particular arrangement was so successful it led to about an hour of play between him and his brother (in case you are wondering how I have time for so much reading). Getting my boys to play together is always a huge bonus!!

taming the post nap crankies

In fact, a whole new civilization was created. Hurrah!

Pretend play technique for taming the post nap cranky attitude.

How do you tame the post-nap crankies?

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by: Erica posted in: Play, Toddler 4 Comments

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Comments

  1. MaryAnne says

    August 9, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    This is a fantastic idea! I think I'll steal it =)

    I've done a similar thing to tame the early morning grouchies, with great success, but never thought to add it for after naps.

    Reply
  2. Raising a Happy Child says

    August 10, 2011 at 6:20 am

    Brilliant!

    Reply
  3. Jamie @ hands on : as we grow says

    August 12, 2011 at 2:25 am

    Ah! You have the post-nap crankies too! I've never understood them, but my son has a serious case of them! If I have an activity waiting for him, it does seem to help – or at least something to DO. If its just a sit around and let him play – that doesn't work for him.

    Reply
  4. Laurie says

    August 15, 2011 at 2:20 am

    Post-Nap Crankies are the worst. Totally unexplainable and hard to be coaxed out of. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply

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