Hey there, I’m that mom who stands firm on her kids’ sleep schedules. My entire day revolves around their naptimes, and if I find myself out too late for bedtime, I can’t help but feel a little rage bubbling up inside me. When I get invites during naptime, I start to wonder why the universe can’t just align with my kids’ sleep needs.
Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a touch. But honestly, keeping a consistent naptime and bedtime is a game changer for our family. My little ones flourish with their routines, and if they don’t get enough sleep, they transform into little tornadoes of chaos. Some kids can skip a nap and just get a bit sleepy, but mine? They just get more wired and wild.
You won’t find my kids dozing off amidst the clamor of daily life. I’ve observed those lucky kids who can just curl up at a restaurant or park and catch some Zs whenever they want. My kids were certainly not blessed with that ability. Convincing them to sleep requires a dark, distraction-free environment.
Sure, there’s plenty of sleep advice out there suggesting that kids should adapt to sleeping in noisy places. Maybe I should have tried that when they were younger, but perhaps they’re just energetic little creatures who can’t tune out the world. Regardless, I’ve learned to embrace it.
And let’s be clear: their nap time is just as crucial for me. That’s my time to recharge or tackle tasks, and I deserve every moment of it. Being a mom is no walk in the park, and those rare breaks are pure gold. While I know life doesn’t stop for anyone, I’ll be honest — I wish it would just for my kids’ sleep.
I thought I’d loosen up about these things as I gained more parenting experience — and I have in many areas — but after nine years, I’m still pretty strict about sleep routines. My first child stopped napping at 2.5 years, but my second? At 3.5, he’s still not giving up his daily snooze (no one is getting in the way of that).
Just yesterday, a utility worker knocked on our door to read the meter in the room where my son was napping. As soon as I heard the knock — thank goodness we don’t have a functioning doorbell — I sprang into action. I opened the door to find a different worker than usual, who clearly didn’t get the memo about naptime. The poor guy was sweating bullets. But I had to turn him down because naptime is sacred in our home.
When I explained that my son was sleeping, he chuckled and said, “Sure, that happens all the time! Kids need their naps!” I sighed with relief; maybe I’m not the only one who feels so passionately about this. All those years of feeling guilty for being a strict sleep enforcer? I’m done with that. My kids need their sleep, I need them to be rested, and I need that precious time to get stuff done.
So listen up, world: my son takes his nap every day at 1 p.m. So please, don’t mow your lawn right outside his window then. Avoid banging on my front door. And to my eldest: keep your nose in a book, play those video games (with headphones, please), or go outside, but don’t run up to me yelling for a snack. Just be quiet!
Hush! Hush, the baby’s sleeping. Wake him up, and you’ll regret it.
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In summary, sticking to sleep routines is essential for both kids and parents. Naptime is crucial for our family’s happiness, and it deserves the utmost respect.