Power Play - For Caregivers

I cannot think of anyone who has cared for a child that would say they didn't enjoy nap time.  It is the calm in the storm and can often change the climate of unruly children and exasperated parents.
My son was ready to give up on nap time much sooner than I was.  I tried the "quiet time" game where he stays in one bed/room/place and reads books or enjoys a small toy.  It didn't work.  All it did was give a tired and cranky child free room to disobey.  What to do?
Realizing that my child was indeed tired but stubbornly refusing to sleep I made a Power Play.  {A Power Play is in a nut shell when the caregiver out smarts the child while keeping their integrity intact and thus keeping the power.}  I put my son down with a book or small toy.  Told him I would set a timer.  He did not have to sleep.  He had to rest calmly.  I would come get him up when the timer went off if he stayed in a restful position.  I kept my word.  For several days he was only in bed for 30 minutes.  But once he trusted me that I would come get him and that he did not have to sleep guess what?  He started napping.  Instead of focusing on sleeping and the idea of not wanting to his brain and body were able to relax.  What happens to a tired person when they are calm, comfortable, and relaxed? 
My son is now 5 and still naps about three days a week.  This will not be every child but those of you who are struggling should try it.  Let me know how it goes.  Seriously, even if it doesn't work I want to hear from you.  Remember to give it some time and you must play by the rules. 

**Side note: no "screen" time before or during naps.  Computer, TV, video game, cell phone screens have been shown time and time again to disrupt sleep patterns and brain signals of sleep.  Don't let your child watch TV then hand him a video game and expect him to rest. Don't believe me? Check out ABC's News coverage of sleep disorders caused by "screens"**