25 month old toddler schedule and routine. Toddler schedule for 25 months old – get a toddler routine and learn about daily life. Learn about how to stop your toddler from crying before nap, older siblings heading off to school and leaving the toddler home, and going to a funeral with a toddler.
This is a summary for Brinley from 24.5-25 months old.
SLEEPING
We had a breakthrough! I was thinking about how Brinley is quite obedient. When I put her down for her nap, I told her she wasn’t allowed to cry when I put her in her bed for nap. She said, “No crying?” and I replied, “That’s right–no crying.” She replied, “Okay.” And she didn’t! I did the same routine, just added “no crying” to it and it has stopped the crying. It is so fabulous!
EATING
Eating is good, though she is eating smaller amounts.
She has always been adventurous in her eating. One day, I made salsa using ingredients from our garden. I let her try it. She took one bite and said, “Nope. Sorry,” and she pushed her bowl to me. Then I took the bowl and she said, “Don’t like it.” So funny!
PLAYING
Playtime has been really good. The older children started school during this time. I thought she would be devastated to lose them. She loved having them around during the summer months and loved to play with them. She hasn’t really batted an eye, though. I take her on a walk each morning and we go with other moms in the neighborhood, so she sees several children then. Then she does some independent playtime. Then she gets done with that and it is about time for McKenna to come home from Kindergarten, so it hasn’t been to lonely for her. She has been flexible about it.
FUNERAL
A big event for us during this time period was a funeral. My husband’s grandpa passed away. People often wonder if they should bring children to a funeral. I think it depends on how close you were to the deceased and the culture of where you are. For us, family members bring kids. There is always a nursery available for young children, but not everyone uses it. I don’t feel comfortable bringing young kids to a funeral of a person who went to my church, so I try to find someone to watch my kids in those instances. For family, however, kids are there.
Brinley went to the nursery. We kept the older three with us. Brinley got upset at some point and the nursery workers brought her to us, so I took her out in the hall. I fully expected her to be fine in the nursery, so I had nothing to entertain her. I got her calmed down and took her back in the service, but it was a bit trickier since I had nothing. If I had it to do over again, I would have kept her diaper bag with me instead of in the vehicle. Also, I would bring snacks. My husband’s grandfather left strict instructions to end at one hour, but that didn’t happen, so lunch happened quite late.
It went fine, but it would have been smoother if I had prepared better for circumstances that I felt sure wouldn’t happen. Better safe than sorry, right? Especially on an occasion like this.
SCHEDULE
Most of this time was the older schedule, so I will stick with that.
8:15 AM–Wake up/Breakfast
8:45 AM–Get ready
9:00 AM–Walk/Bike ride
9:30 AM–Outside Time
11:00 AM–Independent Playtime
12:00 Noon–Lunch
12:30 PM–Learning Activity
1:00 PM–Free Play
1:30 PM–Nap
5:00 PM–Free Playtime
5:30 PM–Dinner
6:00 PM–Family Time
7:30 PM–Get Ready for Bed
8:00 PM–Bedtime
HELPFUL BOOKS
- On Becoming Toddlerwise
- Wholesome Toddlerfood.com
- The Toddler’s Busy Book
- What To Expect The Toddler Years (this is okay–I don’t love it)
- Super Baby Food
- So Easy Toddler Food cookbook
- The Wonder Weeks. (and a link to their site:http://livingcontrolsystems.com/)
- Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
- The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems: Sleeping, Feeding, and Behavior–Beyond the Basics from Infancy Through Toddlerhood
- Baby Body Signs: The Head-to-Toe Guide to Your Child’s Health, from Birth Through the Toddler Years
- Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby
RELATED POSTS
- Toddler Summary: 25 Months Old (for McKenna)
- Brinley Toddler Summary {24.5 Months Old}
- Brinley Toddler Summary {25.5 Months Old}
Wondering if you have any advice on this issue:19 month old twins. They wake at 7 or 7:15 and go down for a nap at 1. My son will sleep until 3:30 easily most days. However, my daughter only makes it until 3 SOME days. Most days she wakes at 2:30-2:40. Wondering what I can do to extend her nap time?? They are in separate rooms, both have room darkening shades and sound machines. I can't figure it out! The days that she sleeps longer there is nothing that is different, I've made notes on everything. It's driving me crazy! She is usually not fussy after her nap and then they go down for the night about 7:15. I just don't think an hour and half give or take is a long enough nap. Unless she is just one of those kids who needs less sleep?
It is possible 1.5 hours is enough for her. It does seem low for a child her age, though. Have you ever tried putting her down a bit earlier? It might be she is just a bit overly tired. On the flip side, she might need more mental and/or physical stimulation in the morning hours before her nap. I would take note of what activities are done and how she sleeps to see if there is a pattern. She also could possibly be teething or something and he isn't. If you try everything and she still is taking a shorter nap, I wouldn't let it stress you. If she is happy until bedtime, she might just be a low sleep needs person. I would leave her in bed after she wakes and she can play for at least 30 minutes. Resting in bed is more restful than being out getting stimulated.
I will try your suggestions! We did put her down at about 12:30 on Saturday b/c she was acting tired and got a 2h15m nap out of her… so that was a slight improvement. Thanks!