Ask Dr. Mona

Your child isn’t missing out. What you’re already doing, including family outings, bike rides, pretend play, and outdoor time, hits all the big areas of early development: movement, language, imagination, and connection. At this age, kids learn through everyday moments, not Pinterest-worthy projects. The glitter glue doesn’t build their brain…you do!

If crafts feel stressful or messy, skip them without guilt. You’re already giving your child what matters most: your attention, warmth, and time. Think of daycare as her “art studio.” At home, you get to focus on experiences that bring you both joy. That’s not a gap, it’s balance.

Every parent has something they don’t love doing. Some dread messy art, others find pretend play or outdoor chaos exhausting. That’s normal. The goal isn’t to do it all. It’s to find a rhythm that feels good for your family. Kids thrive when we aren’t running on guilt fumes.

When you do want something hands-on, keep it simple: reusable sticker books, painter’s tape “roads,” bath crayons before rinsing off, or letting them stir pancake batter. All of these build fine motor skills, coordination, and confidence (without the glitter trail).

For more encouragement on letting go of the comparison game, listen to “I’m not a crafty or elaborate-activity mom—and I sometimes feel guilty.” It’s an honest chat about capacity, expectations, and why your version of motherhood is more than enough.

She’s probably not ready to drop naps just yet. Around this age, nap resistance is usually a phase, not the end of naps. Most toddlers still need some daytime rest until close to age five, even if they act like they’re “too busy” to sleep.

Keep offering the nap daily for about two weeks before assuming she’s done. Even one or two naps in that stretch means her body still needs the chance to rest. The key is consistency, even when it feels like a battle.

If she’s protesting naps, try this:

• Stick to a predictable nap time. Most toddlers nap best between 12:30 and 2:00 p.m.

• Skip the yes/no question (“Do you want to nap?”) and instead say, “It’s rest time so your body has energy to play later.” When toddlers understand why, they’re often more willing to settle.

• Keep things calm. Dim lights, white noise, and a short book or song help set the tone.

• Offer small choices to give her some control. For example, “Do you want to tuck your lovey in first or close the curtains?”

• Hold the boundary. Rest time is rest time, even if she’s just looking at books or quietly playing.

• Move bedtime earlier on no-nap days to avoid overtiredness.

If she still skips the nap, that’s okay. Transition to quiet time instead. Quiet time gives her body and brain a break, and gives you a breather too. She can read, play softly, or just unwind in her room. Over time, this helps her learn how to recharge on her own.

The big picture: keep offering naps, stay calm and consistent, and remember that nap protests at this age don’t mean she’s ready to give them up. It’s just her way of saying, “I’ve got things to do!”

For more tips on handling nap refusal, signs it might be time to drop naps, and how to make the switch to quiet time, check out this PedsDocTalk YouTube video.

Ask Dr. Mona

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Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!