One of the hardest things about having kids, as you all well know, is that you can’t just drop into bed when you get home from work. There’s no napping on weekends, either, unless you have a supportive partner to help you out.
I love my naps, and over the years I’ve been a mom, I’ve figured out some sneaky ways to take a nap even when my kid is awake.
Some of these methods may work for you while others don’t. It all depends on the whims and fancies of your dictators — ahem, children.
1. The Couch + Movie Method
You may be tempted to try this method in the morning, when you wake up groggy and salivating for at least 20 more hours of precious rest.
But to be successful, you have to wait. Kids are brimming with diabolic energy in the early morning, and any efforts to do Couch + Movie napping will fail.
So let them play hard all morning. Take them to the park and then feed them Goldfish on the way home so they don’t fall asleep in the car if you have to.
Eat lunch, and then play some more. When 2 or 3 o’clock comes around, my friends, that’s when you strike.
First, make sure they’re fed, bathroomed, and watered. Put on their favorite movie. Then sink onto the couch or recliner and as they get sucked into Anna and Elsa’s life, close your eyes.
You’ll probably get a solid hour of rest. (This is my husband’s preferred method and he always gets at least an hour, the lucky dude.)
2. The Bed + Movie Method
This is my favorite method, but it only works because I have one child, he’s almost 4, and we live in a small house.
I do all the steps in Method 1 to tire him out, but then instead of trying to nap on the couch, I sneak away to the bedroom right down the hall.
I climb into bed, close my eyes, and set a timer on my phone to wake up in 15 minutes to check on my kid. To make sure he’s still alive and well and all.
The results of this method vary. Sometimes I only get five or 15 minutes of rest. Other times, I get an hour or more with breaks to get up and check on my son.
It’s pretty lovely.
3. The Floor Nap Method
Here’s one for those of you with younger babies. First, choose a safe room, like the playroom or nursery. Bring out the best, most exciting toys you have. Maybe even a new toy or two if you’re desperate.
Lie down on the floor, face down, and close your eyes. Your baby will probably crawl all over you, pull your hair, sit on your head, and so forth, but at least you’ll get a few minutes of shut-eye.
I used this method the most when my son was still napping during the day and I just needed to close my eyes for a second so I could survive until his naptime.
4. The Sunglasses Method
If your kids are anything like mine, they can smell when you’re trying to rest in their presence. That’s where the Sunglasses Method comes in. Take your kids outside, preferably to a safely enclosed yard where they like to play. Get your favorite lawn chair and set it up where you can see them.
Then put on your darkest, hugest pair of sunglasses, lean back a little, and close your eyes. Make sure to smile and yell “Good job!” a few times to keep up the pretense that you’re fully awake.
My mom used to do this one all the time, and I was always shocked when I peeked (very) closely at her face and noticed she was smiling and talking with her eyes closed.
5. The Genius Method
I don’t know what else to call this method, and it hasn’t worked for me yet because my kid isn’t quite old enough.
But I’ve seen it floating around on the internet and it’s definitely worth a shot.
For the Genius Method, all you have to do is tell your kids that you’re going to have a drawing contest and that whoever wins gets $5 or an ice cream or something.
What will they be drawing?
You, sleeping on the couch. Be sure to follow through on that reward so that you can use this method more than once!
If your kids draw too fast, tell them that they have 20 minutes and they have to use every single one. Or something like that.
6. The Fort/Camping Method
The other day, we set up our tent in the backyard to make sure it was ready for camping this summer. My kid was so thrilled that he kept yawning pretend yawns and asking to go to sleep.
So we set up our air mattress, got cozy with blankets, and … I took a nap while my boy reveled in the newness and wonder of just being inside a tent and “going camping.”
You can also do this indoors with your tent, or if you don’t have one, make a blanket fort with your kids and play “camping.” Curl up and go to sleep while your kids do all the work of building a “fire,” keeping wolves out, and so forth.
Happy resting!
