If you’ve ever tried to wake a toddler up from a nap, especially if its early, you know it can go one of two ways: sweet and calm, or full of tears and crankiness. For months, I dreaded those moments- especially on days when we had somewhere to be or needed to shift our schedule.
Then I found a simple, gentle trick that works every single time. It’s turned nap wake-ups into peaceful moments instead of battels, and my toddler actually wakes up happy and ready to continue his day.
My Tear-Free Wake-up Trick
Here’s exactly what to do and I’m telling you it’s so simple:
- I place me hand gently on the back of his head (he’s a tummy sleeper).
- I slowly run my hand in one smooth motion down to his bottom.
- While doing this, I softly say: ” It’s time to wake up, mi amor. Despierta.” (You can of course say whatever you want)
That’s it. Nothing fancy, no magic toy or gadget- just a consistent, soothing routine.
I’ve been doing this for months now, and every single time, my son wakes up smiling. Instead of tears of frustration, he’s calm, relaxed and ready for whatever comes next.
Why this Works
Toddler don’t like being startled awake (I mean who does, right?). This method helps because:
- Gentle touch eases the transition from sleep to awake without jolting them.
- A soothing, familiar voice gives comfort and reassurance. (If your child has a babysitter/caregiver you can even record yourself and send it to them to play for your child if need be)
- Consistence creates routine- over time, your toddler recognizes the signal and knows it’s time to wake up.
Bonus Tips for Happy Wake-Ups
Every child is different, but here are a few extra things that can help:
- Let some natural light in before waking them by cracking the blinds open
- Allow a bit of time for snuggles after they wake up (it’s a great time to bond)
- Use the same words or phrase each time so it becomes familiar (for me its, “mi amor” and “despierta”).
A Calmer Time for Everyone
Since using this routine, instead of fighting tears and meltdowns, I get to share a peaceful little moment with my toddler- and we both start the rest of our day in a much better mood.
If you’ve been struggling with nap-time wake-ups, give this simple trick a try. And if you already have a routine that works for you, I’d love to hear it- drop your own nap-time wake-up hacks in the comments below!
Want to see it in action? I shared the trick on a reel you can watch it here:
lifeassandra 
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