Here’s a 2-week nap transition plan for a 2-year-old going from two naps to one, designed to avoid meltdowns and night-time chaos.

Week 1: Gentle Shift

Goal: Push the morning nap later, shorten the afternoon nap.

Day 1–3:

• Morning nap: 9:30–10:15 a.m. (wake them after ~45 min)

• Afternoon nap: 2:15–3:00 p.m.

• Bedtime: ~7:30 p.m.

  Day 4–7:

• Morning nap: 10:00–10:45 a.m.

• Afternoon nap: 2:30–3:00 p.m.

• Bedtime: ~7:15 p.m. (slightly earlier to help with extra tiredness)

  
  

  Week 2: Merge into One Nap

  Goal: Drop the morning nap entirely and stretch to midday.

  Day 8–10:

• Nap: 11:00–1:00 p.m.

• Bedtime: ~7:00 p.m. (early bedtime to prevent overtiredness)

  Day 11–14:

• Nap: 12:00–2:00 p.m.

• Bedtime: ~7:15–7:30 p.m.

  
  

  Extra Support During the Transition

• If they get cranky before nap in the early days, give a light snack and 15 minutes of quiet time with books before nap.

• If they skip nap or it’s under 1 hour, move bedtime up to 6:30 p.m. that night.

• Keep the routine consistent — same nap space, same bedtime rituals.

• Get plenty of morning sunlight and active play to help them last until nap.