It finally happened. The day that I had been dreading since the birth of my daughter. Her defiant refusal to take a nap had begun.
I titled this the tragedy of no more nap time because that’s simply what it is… a tragedy. I had heard mothers talk about their kids not taking naps anymore and thought, “My daughter has to nap until she starts preschool.” It’s humorous really to think I had any say in the matter.
She was a great napper— went down easily and slept for two hours. I could nap for an hour and then have a whole hour to myself to do me-things, whatever those were. Then quite literally out of the blue her nap time turned into let’s party and never nap time. I fought valiantly but to no avail. Hearts were broken and tears were shed. My sanity was already hanging by a thread some days with a nap— now what?! No really, now what?! Please tell me what to do. Here are some things that I have tried to do--kind of trial and error (isn’t that parenting and just life in general?).
“Quiet” time is something that we’re trying. It’s where I need a break right this second or I’ll scream so my daughter goes in her room and plays until I feel “rejuvenated.” It’s not so much quiet time as it is crap-what-was-that-noise time, but even just a fifteen minute break is good if it starts sounding like all hell is breaking loose in her room. The literature I’ve read on the subject says it’s good for both parents and kids. You just have to make sure their room is toddler safe.
Another fun activity I’ve found to replace nap time is Target time. No, it’s actually quite awful because then I spend money I don’t have. Ignore this suggestion.
There is library time. The thought was, we’ll go to the library and you have to be quite and well behaved ‘cause it’s the library and we’ll read books. That was a funny joke as she ran screaming, “Come catch me!” while ripping all the books she could from the shelves.
There is screen time where I turn on a show for her to watch, barricade all exits so she can’t escape/get into trouble, and just lie down for a little bit. Sometimes getting all snuggled up under a cozy blanket is just what I needed, even if I’m really longing for a nap.
Playground/splash pad time is fantastic. She gets tired, so at least her bedtime will go smoothly. There are other children to play with and only a few drops off the equipment that could possibly kill her--great replacement for nap time, except now it is turning into winter and the thought of just being outside in 30-40 degree weather fractures my soul.
There was the short lived craft time. I got a couple crafts from the store or got real creative and made up a craft myself. Her attention lasted for about five minutes!! I haven’t tried this since we got real wild and painted a Blue’s Clues poster and she threw the paint cup. Maybe I should try again and just not do paint ever again.
There is drive around town time. This is where you drive around town for a time. Sometimes she’d fall asleep. She'd fight me for an hour to take a nap in her cozy warm bed, but get her strapped into a relatively uncomfortable car seat and falls asleep in 5 minutes. Try the car seat transfer, they say...it works great, they say-- not for my little girl. Since her birth I have been able to successfully transfer her twice (and yes those are most precious memories). In the end I'd just get grumpy about the situation.
Basically my life is over. Please help. How do you get through this? I am not sure if it’s because I’m pregnant so I have an acute awareness of my fatigue, but it’s kicking my butt. I know it’ll get better, time heals all things, yada yada, but your motherly commiserating with me--or I mean advice--would be much appreciated.
For more true to life mothering experiences go to babycubby.com.