It’s official. My life is O-V-E-R. I, like many parents, was ready for school to start so we could get back into a routine and I could have a little time to myself. That all changed when we got booted out of the carpool I organized last year. That’s an entirely different story worthy of its own blog. Anyway, now that I have carpool pick-up everyday, the twins have been forced out of their naps. Additionally, the boys were staying up until ten o’clock at night on the days they napped. So it was time to lose the nap anyway. But it’s safe to say we’ve had a rough re-entry with back-to-school. We’re all a mess! I would give anything to have that 2-hour window back.
My first child gave up her nap at age three when her baby sister was one year old. It completely disrupted the daily routine and I was a wreck. Initially, even the simplest of tasks, like taking a shower, were seemingly impossible to complete, but somehow I managed and eventually used this time as special alone time with mommy. That of course meant that mommy got zero alone time, but that’s how life rolls when you’re the mom. When my 2nd child gave up her nap, I was kind of ready for it. It was a great promotion to do things with just the girls while the twins were napping. But now, my babies have officially given up their nap and I have been in a downward spiral ever since. Entertaining twin 3 1/2-year-old boys from sun up to sun down is proving to be far more difficult than I expected. These crazy boys are constantly trying to one up each other and have endless amounts of energy. Missing that two hours of “free time” has left me feeling frazzled and irritable, borderline intolerant and the boys are feeling the same.
Phase I of our meltdowns always happens in carpool. Our carpool is the type that requires a masters degree to navigate correctly. It also requires the car to be parked, turned off and the children taken out, walked across the parking lot for a 5-minute carpool drill. Phase II of the meltdowns always happens when I need to whip out my Betty Crocker apron and figure out dinner. Phase III happens just before bed when they usually have a surge of energy and proceed to fight going to bed, even though they are dog-tired. After 8 years, I’m a firm believer in sleep beget sleep. So incredibly true.
So back to the naps, or lack thereof. I’m truly sad that we don’t have an official nap time anymore. It means that my babies are growing up. I often joke that I just need to fast-forward one year so the twins will be 4. But I kind of wish you could freeze that last 6 months of naps. It is such an innocent state of bliss.
Have you given up your naps? Can you shed some light as to how I’m going to get my shower in again?!
11 comments
Going through the same thing here…my just turned 3 year old has decided she doesn't need a nap. I still insist on "quiet time" for both kids (oldest is 4.5). Problem is quiet time turns into playtime…Meltdowns occur at the exact times you state…the worst being dinner time. It's been bad for the last month. I keep hoping it will get better…please, please, please tell me it will get better! :o)
MOVIES! They are the answer to shower time. Pop one in, get the twins attention on it and slip away to the shower before they even notice you are gone. Now, I wonder what my great-grandmother did when she had to take a shower???
Oh Jen – I totally empathize with you…but maybe earlier bedtime is the silver lining? By the way, LOVE that photo on the couch – so sweet!Quiet time & movies are great solutions too. good luck!!
I feel like each phase I live through will never end but it always does, bliss briefly returns and I think hey life isn't so bad, and then we are on to the next challenge. Repeat feelings of what have I done to deserve this. Our naps are hit or miss these days and 5:00 p.m. when it catches up with us are a nightmare!!!!! I use the TV as quiet time while the baby sleeps but I hate having it on all afternoon. I just can't seem to turn it off because I really need that 2 hour window to regroup.
Went through the same thing with my 4 year old twin boys. After months of breaking down late afternoon, we now have quiet time for an hour in the afternoon. Secret for me was to have it in separate rooms, and we bought the old-fashioned clocks for each boy. So we can say, "you can come downstairs when the big hand is on the 5." Then, they're in control and not constantly calling down or coming out. They now love their quiet time, reading, playing by themselves, and while they don't sleep – it really helps them get through until the end of the day.
Had quiet time for my daughter until this summer(she was 5 last week). She had to be in her room in her bed with books for 30-45 minutes. It helped me get through my pregnancy and gave her time to regroup and recharge after school. Now she watches some tv in the afternoons to help us make it through the day while the baby naps. We read together too.Good luck to you-it's hard to entertain 1 child, I can't imagine twins!!!!
Jen,The girls (same age as Jen's boys) don't nap anymore, either, but "quiet time" is during my 10-month-old's afternoon nap. Used quotations around that b/c they play together, but I let them know that it is Mommy's quiet time, too, and their play does not involve me. Twins are great for each other for this, since they are in to lots of pretending, downside is they can be scheming, fighting, or just make one huge mess of the playroom! Oh yeah- showers for me are at night now – at least it helps keep the sheets clean!
I am a HUGE proponent of quiet time. It's a wonderful habit for children of all ages. I know it's easier to turn on the TV (for all of us, not as a judgement of anyone), but our kids really shouldn't have more than 1 hour, maybe 2 per day. It teaches them to entertain themselves. I just tell my kids "that's the rule" – I have even gone so far as to say to the little ones, "it's a rule all mommies have to follow so we don't get in trouble." It makes any argument they throw out invalid.And a big yes – to separate rooms for twins or siblings – a must!Hang in there and keep encouraging that independent play. You will get through it!!! :))
I lost nap time with my now 4 year old when she turned 3. She is the perfect child that plays well alone and she often asks for quiet time away from her 2 year old little brother, so it is FANTASTIC when he naps. i dread the day he stops sleeping in the day. he sleeps SO well at night when he naps. In fact, today, he had to miss his nap due to a car emergency and I just finally got him to go to sleep after almost 3 hours of up and down – at 10:55!!!!!!!!
quiet time is a must at our house, for the little ones and the big kids (adults). it usually involves putting a movie or show on in the play room and closing the door, about a quarter of the time my 4 year will fall asleep which is good since he still seems to need a nap every few days even though he will not admit it. i am planning on doing quiet time until they leave for college!
I can't believe he already wants to give up his naps! What I wouldn't do to be able to take a daily 2 hour nap…sigh. Noelle is looking so cute and grown…time flies. Hope Mr. Noah will miss his naps and have a restful night in his room.