I feel robbed. Burglarized. Cheated, really.
My preschooler has given up her afternoon nap.
My daily 2 hour oasis of peace and tranquility is no more. Like a puff of smoke, a spray of mist, a candle in the wind. Puff. Gone. No more. A relic of the past.
I wasn’t going for the whole idea at first, of course.
“Whatcha mean, you’re not tired? Lay down. Grrrrrrrrr!”
I wasn’t one for changing up the schedule.
“When I say, Sleep, kid, I mean, SLEEP.”
I was inflexible.
“Sleep! Sleep!”
I was grumpy, selfish and guided by my own agenda.
“Look here. I got a date with Danielle Steele and a box of chocolates. Mess with me and there’s gonna be trouble.”
I was completely married to an old schedule.
“It’s 1:30! Snooze! Now! Now! Now!”
And, I certainly wasn’t going to take things laying down. ( Ahem.)
“SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPP NOOOOOOW!”
Needless to say, it took some time before I accepted things. But, in the end, I began to realize little girls grow up, naps fall by the wayside along with diapers and pacifiers. (thank goodness)
And, mammas need to find their oasis elsewhere.
Mommy’s Night Out, anyone? First round’s on me.
Author’s note. I know, I know…But, Quiet Time in their room with a book just isn’t working here. Something about a slime monster in the closet. Another post. Another day.
32 comments:
Yes, it's inevitable but hard to adjust to. I remember I eased myself into it by having them go into their rooms for a quiet time at that same time every day. Once they really did never take naps (sometimes they would fall asleep) then I gave that up too. Good luck!
I hear your pain! I will cry the day my 2 year old stops napping its the quietest time of my day! Even if my youngest is awake!
lol at monster! Yeah, I make the kids I nanny for do rest time.
Losing nap time is SO hard!
oh I feel for you. I even had a hard time adjusting when my 2nd gave up her nap. I mean what was the big deal. #1 was still up.. but she played quietly or watched a show snuggled with mommy while mommy read her book. Now #3 is almost out of naps and it almost doesn't matter anymore. I said almost!
I hate when the schedule changes too. The only thing that gets my daughter to do quiet time is listening to books on tape with the turn the page signals. Worth a shot.
Oh honey, sing me a tune - I hear ya! Three-year-old is officially done.
I did do quiet time yesterday for both kiddos yesterday, from 4:30 until "your father gets home!" That was nice.
Didn't happen today. But it's 8:10 and everyone is asleep. A little ying, a little yang.
Trick her! Throw her in the car and drive around until she passes out then go home and throw her in her bed. Worth a shot! :)
Yup..I feel your pain. You adjust though. You will end up getting up at ridiculous wee hours of the morning just to gain a shred of that "me" time. We mommies are adaptable creature when it comes to Danielle Steele and boxes of chocolates!
Mommy's night out sounds wonderful!! I am due for one of those. Second round is on me ;) Please tell your toddler not to send my toddler any ideas. Nap time is still very much needed here.
That is truly a sad day! I will have a moment of mourning for you here, right after I finish my Danielle Steel novel and my chocolates! LOL
Luckily my #2 hasn't hit that stage just yet, but its close, I can feel it!! I'm all about quiet time...do what you want as long as mama can't hear it!!
NNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
You poor girl!
Rest time has to happen! Even if it is looking at a picture book, playing dollies, puzzles? etc.
Your life depends on it. Seriously.xx♥
Maybe you could find her an afternoon playgroup through a church or pre-school. Then you could have your time, she could get really worn out and go to bed early!
I'm really dreading that day.
No nap would be rough.
Sending positive vibes your way.
I feel your pain and remember this well. My oldest dd gave up her nap just when her sister was born-I was really counting on that afternoon nap for a bit longer :)
Oh my goodness I am right there with you. I only get Fridays and the weekends but there have been 2 days in the past week where P hasn't napped. I'm getting scared.
I now insist on going for a run 3x/week - it's only 45 minutes but it's my time. I also told hubby that Thursday nights are mine - and I go play volleyball at church. Usually - the babe is still awake when I get home (go figure) but it's still a break for me.
Or what about a once/month bunco night or something? It's not much but it is something to look forward to!
Ha ha ha! Your posts are always fun to read. So far we've had good luck with quiet time. I tell my Girlies they might not need it BUT I DO! LOL! I guess I should enjoy my last few months of mommy endorsed quiet time as I'm sure it won't last!
What? No nap? I still need naps and I'm 28!
You were robbed. robbed I say!
Oh I love nap time for sure. I also love to read. I will so go out with you.
Ah yes, my youngest still takes an afternoon nap. I very purposely registered her for am preschool this fall because I have fantasies about KEEPING that afternoon nap. We'll see...
On the bright side, the flexibility of life completely opens once the nap is gone. There have been MANY times where I've cursed that nap because I'd rather do something else.
I totally feel your pain. We made the transition from baby bed to toddler bed. And now Sofia doesn't want to nap. And at night I have to baby gate her in her room.
The summer is going to be looooooong.
I was devastated when my youngest gave up her nap. I went into mourning for a while. But now I like it, because my day is not tied down to a napping schedule. It's kind of nice.
Ah man, nap time is over? What a bummer. I remember those days and I totally feel for you.
That is a rude awakening. I remember it well!
Look on the bright side. It is 9:30 a.m. and I am having my quiet time because teens don't get up until lunch!
AAHHH!!! That is HORRIBLE! I feel for ya! My 16 month old is just now converting from two naps to one.. and I am like *gasp!*
Oh man I hear ya. I watch a little boy now who seems to think that "quiet time" for him while the other little kids sleep is code for "quietly" whispering to all of them "pssst...don't you want to wake up and play with me?" I sense a mutiny brewing. I also need my bag of popcorn and the newest Parents magazine break in the afternoon.
My best, Lynn
*I'm usually the silver lining finder, but there is no such thing in this situation!
Some parts of our children's childhoods we hate to see drift away because of their sweetness and the knowledge that we'll never again witness that first joy of crawling, that first toddling step, that first lisped word.
Others we grieve based on a whole different set of criteria!
Oh, I still mourn the days of the nap. Once in awhile I try to re-introduce the nap, but when he does nap, he's up 'til 10pm or later. Not such a great trade-off.
My pre-schooler son is trying to give up his naps too. I still put him in his crib every day for an hour. I really don't want to let go of that precious quiet(ish) time.
OhNo!! My last kids just gave up her nap. No more quiet time. All I can hope for is that the other two keep her busy during General Hospital. I can see her saying "No Mommy! Pinky Dinky Doo is on!" I also hope for accidental naps. You know...when they just fall asleep on their own in the afternoon.
Heaven:)
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