Naptime: One Thing I Do Right as a Mom

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As a new parent, I do not profess to do much of anything right. However, one thing I believe I have gotten right is naptime. I schedule my days around naptime. Every day, without fail, between the magical hours of naptime, we are home so that our daughter can rest. The times have evolved over her lifetime, going from many naps to just one in the afternoon.

Naptime: One Thing I Do Right as a Mom

Over the years, certain family members have given us flack for this.
“Can’t you skip one nap so you guys can do [insert activity here] with us?” they ask.
Our answer is always a firm “No.”
“Our kids never took naps or had schedules and they turned out okay,” they insist. I never said your kids didn’t turn out okay, but this is our decision for our child and subsequent children. These same people get upset when we leave family functions or get-togethers. Sorry, not sorry, but we have to go home to nap.

After mornings spent running errands, doing something fun (like the zoo, aquarium or pool), or playing at the gym, after lunch is wind-down time at our house. We spend time playing or reading before naptime. The routine is down, and many days my daughter will ask, “Can we do this before it’s time for nini?”

I’ll be honest. I struggle to understand people who let their kids go all day without a nap. And it’s never been an important part of their lives. Or those who count the five-minute carseat snooze as an official nap. A friend of mine who shall remain anonymous goes a million miles a minute with her kids all day long until they crash right before or after dinner. It’s too early for bed, so she lets them sleep for about 15 minutes before doing everything in her power to wake up their tired, limp little bodies. They’re groggy and grumpy when they finally do come around. Bedtime is then a fight. I want none of that in my house.

I know that my daughter won’t nap forever, but right now, it is a very important aspect of our day and has been since she was born. In my opinion, she truly needs the sleep and the down time. For the most part, naptime is easy, as long as our routine is followed. She wakes up happy and rested. 

I understand that everyone’s schedules are different and that many people reading this may not agree, but naptime is important to us, and it is something we will ensure for all of our children.

Excuse me, I have to go now. It’s naptime!

Is naptime important in your house?

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