Nap Time--NOT!

When did it start? My sweet little boy used to nap beautifully. He would eat his lunch, then lay his head on my shoulder as I carried him to bed. Sometimes he would even fall asleep IN his lunch. Now Jackson is a willful two-year-old, and although he needs his nap, he doesn't want to surrender to sleep. Some of the parenting books I've read say it might be time for him to give up naps; I disagree. I just don't get how he can take a two hour nap one day, then no nap at all the next day! He needs his nap. I need his nap. We are both much nicer in the afternoon when there has been a nap.

It doesn't help that lately Jackson has not been what you'd call regular. Many times, his nap is delayed by him playing in his room, until I check on him and discover a dirty diaper. Clean pants, another 20 minutes of playing, and maybe we get a nap. No idea what to do now. How come nobody ever told me that you have to make it all up as you go along? If they did, I certainly never believed it until now.