When I (we) brought our first child home from the hospital, it didn't take me long to realize how important nap time was to him. As he grew older, I realized his nap times were even more important to me.
Once a newborn grows from infancy and into toddlerhood--meaning fully mobile without an off button--even catching a break to go to the bathroom is tough to get. So I learned to cherish my son's naps. It gave me the opportunity to catch up on housework, talk on the phone, or actually take a shower.But once child 2, 3, and then 4 came along, nap time became null-n-void for me. It didn't matter that baby 4 and child 2 were napping. I still had child 1 and 3 to contend with, plus housework, phone calls, and organizing bills. Showers were few and far between for me for a few years. (I think there is a span of about four years where few photos can be found of me. lol) During those years, anyone aiming a camera at me did it at their own risk.
The other thing about nap times with multiple children is that the older children usually have activities that interrupt the younger ones' naps. It could be a sports activity or simply picking up the older child from preschool, which in most places is half-day. Nap time became nothing but a pain for me, totally stressing me out.
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Writer Moms & Dads out there, what has been your experience with naptime?
(Psst...I totally spaced that this week is my kids' spring vacation from school. Sadly, I won't be able to post again until Friday. Have a great week and see you then!)
I used to love my daughter's naps. Especially when she was really young and needed two. Especially since I worked full-time and needed every second to get things done. I'm an expert napper too--I can put my head on my desk or fall asleep sadly sitting up at night. Too little sleep.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week off.
Awww...nap time. Mother of 5 here. I remember those days. However, when they napped, I napped, too.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I ever used my kids' naptimes as a chance to catch up on stuff - it was always my naptime, too!
ReplyDeleteI got all my kids on naptimes and used it to get my writing in for the day. But my third child dropped his nap a lot earlier than the other b/c it made it easier for us to go places. Poor kid, would fall asleep for an hour in a time out. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, lol. I can't imagine juggling four little ones. My daughter is a teenager now (and I've got ONE) so I don't remember how naptime used to go. I wasn't a writer back then, so I imagine that I napped with her. ;-)
ReplyDelete~JD
My kids were fairly close together in age, but I still have trouble getting them to nap at the same time. And by the time my daughter was 18 months, she imposed a 'no nap for me' rule. She didn't want to miss out on the fun.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a writer back then, so I don't remember what I did during nap times. Maybe photography. Or cleaning. Or trying not to pass out from exhaustion. :)
I used to stress out about naps so much until I realized that the kids' bodies kind of take over all that. My last one is slowly outgrowing her naps, which is both good and sad. :)
ReplyDeleteWith six boys and a girl plus homeschooling, nap time has always been a pleasant time for Mama. *wink* I usually caught up on stuff. Now they are all too big for naps. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI love that my 4-year-old still takes a nap now and then. Even when he doesn't, we have an afternoon "quiet-time" for both boys. They can play in their rooms, read, sleep, do whatever they like as long as they are quiet and separate (from each other/ from us). It gives us time to recuperate from their constant activity!
ReplyDelete(and can I just say how happy I am that Blogger's letting me comment on other blogs again!)
ReplyDeleteHa ha! This is actually a timely post for me. Yes, everyone has their schedules, but if we relax and do what we do, it will all work out. At least I like to think that way!
ReplyDeleteWriting is a new love of mine, so I didn't write when my kids were tiny. I'm not sure how mothers of little ones fit it in!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be able to nap like any one of those lovely kids in the pictures. What a wonderful way to rejuvenate after a long morning at the computer!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics. Yeah, naptime for my little one doesn't exist since she figures the 19 year old doesn't have to. Kids are great. =)
ReplyDeleteI don't have kids, but I can comment on my husband's weekend naptimes...they're LONG :-)
ReplyDeleteNaps? Ha. Ha-ha. I have a 11mo and a 3yo. They both nap beautifully for day care, same time every day, no problem. On the weekends, we can't get the 3yo to sleep at all. She goes and goes and goes until she finally passes out - usually during a car ride. It makes life interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love nap time. My kids are old enough to not have them anymore. I miss that time. ;)
ReplyDeleteCute pics. I loved nap time as a youngster. Still do.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time with your kids this vacation week.
I totally agree that life needs to be enjoyed every second.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pics.
I thought I'd come check out another writer's A-Z blog! Great post. I don't have kids, but I do like my friends' kids' nap times...then we get to visit and catch up. You have a fun blog and a new follower!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter napped until almost 5. I got a lot of writing done. Now I have to find time in other places, which usually means losing sleep.
ReplyDeleteMy first baby is due in 23 days. It will be interesting to see what nap time means for her as mommy is an insomniac and daddy loves his naps. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI remember those days, friend. This too shall pass. Mine are teens now, so try to treasure the moments.
ReplyDeleteHope you'll visit on your A-Z journey!
I agree with you about staying flexible, I feel sorry for young moms that are slaves to their children's schedules. But on the other hand, everyone has their own way of doing things.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about how important nap time is to mom's! I did everything in my power to get my twins to take a nap at the same time - that was one thing I wasn't very flexible with!)
Not just for moms! When they stopped taking naps, another bit of our free time, was taken from us.
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