Everyone loves a good nap, but in this life phase, I’ve put a halt to this midday relaxation technique. Now before you hate me for this, let me just say that I love looking at the back of my eyelids just like the next person. I have no personal vendetta with naps. Siestas will reenter my life at some point in the future, and I’m counting on that. Naps for kids are GREAT for so many reasons. Naps for Brooke, not so much.
1.Bedtime routine is out the window
Naps, in theory, are practical. A quick little snooze and get back after that daily routine. Works for many; yay for those guys. The naps that end up happening to me are so lengthy that when I wake up, the sun is down, and I don’t know what year it is. Not. Good. Sure, I could set an alarm, but then when it sounds, immediate regret ensues, and the snooze is hit. I don’t like alarms interrupting when I’m trying to recharge my batteries. By the time the nap ends, it’s well past dinnertime with no sleep in the near future. This pushes bedtime back and Morning Brooke wakes up like Billy Butcherson crawling out of that Hocus Pocus grave. Not. Attractive. Let me just do myself a favor and pass on some afternoon shut-eye.
2. To-Do list magic
It is a wonderful thing when your kids take naps for all the reasons. One of my favorites reasons to forgo a dozing session when the kids are down is so that I can do any of the things on my to-do list without interruption. Sure, I can wash a load of laundry, but when I pass on the nap while the kids are asleep, I can wash, dry, fold, and put away at least a couple of loads. This definitely comes in handy when somehow our laundry keeps having exponential growth spurts (I sure don’t know where these seven tops came from, maybe they’ve been in the closet a while)…
3. Uninterrupted snacks
Who doesn’t love a good snack? If you’re like me and love a good piece of chocolate and don’t want a kid hovering near your food and mouth breathing on it, then pass up that nap, and stuff your face while you can. If your kids are like mine, the second they hear a wrapper, they somehow teleport six inches from my face. Love you, kid, but Mama needs her chocolate.
So whether you do or don’t indulge in the halfway through the day close-lidded break; remember, naps can be a game changer, just ask Santa Anna.
