As a parent, it is crucial to take breaks from your kids so that you don’t completely burn out. Kids are wonderful, but they are exhausting. They eat up all of your “me time”, and it is difficult to get things done. You often find yourself pulled in all different directions, and you need some time during the day to just catch your breath or catch up. For me, that time is naptime.
When my kids were little, naptime was much more confining. For instance, they both nursed to sleep, and then I would have a hard time escaping them. Most days, I would need to lay with them for the entirety of naptime. Looking back, I’m not sure how I was able to stand this, but at the time I didn’t mind. They were so little, and I knew that all too soon, they wouldn’t be anymore. I still love baby cuddles, but my kids are a bit older now.
I relish the freedom that comes with having some time for myself during their naps
I have gotten so used to it that I have a hard time functioning if they don’t nap well.
While my oldest could probably function without a nap, I’m not ready to give it up just yet. She just turned five and has had multiple rounds where I thought she would stop napping altogether. While it was nice getting to spend time with her, I quickly found that I was getting burned out from having to entertain kids all day long without a break. The other thing is that she would begin to get super cranky about three days into these dropped-nap days.
For both our sanities, we keep returning to naptime for her. Even though she isn’t ready for naptime at the exact same time as her 2-year-old brother, she will play by herself in her room for a bit and then put herself to sleep. This time gives me the opportunity to get a snack, some coffee, and some quiet in the afternoons.
Naptime allows me to get some other things done
I also use this time to work. Finding time as a stay-at-home mom is difficult, and I find myself working when I should be paying more attention to my kids.
There is a reason that quiet time is a thing. Both for her and me, we both need it. I know that her playing by herself is valuable, as is my getting a few moments to myself. In addition, she gets an opportunity to imagine whatever she likes without her brother getting in her way.
I love my kids, but coffee and quiet time in the afternoons help make me a better mom
It allows me to reset and get a chance to focus on myself for a bit and what I need to do. This way, I can focus on them a bit better during the rest of the day. Because of these reasons, I will continue to ride this naptime train as long as I can.
