The infamous car nap—it’s a parent’s nightmare. Just a few minutes of sleep can throw off our entire day, if not the next. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Long road trips can encroach upon my child’s scheduled nap time. For instance, when we relocated across the country, car naps were essential. And on those days when we’re returning from family gatherings late in the day, a quick snooze might be necessary to stretch us to bedtime. However, when we are close to home and nap time is approaching, I’m determined to keep my little one awake!
My child sleeps far better in his own bed, and this is crucial for our family’s well-being. We all know what happens when toddlers miss their naps or settle for a subpar substitute—it’s not pretty. I fiercely protect my kids’ nap times and plan our days around them. They’ve always been good sleepers, often asking to go “night night.” Our family functions much better with a structured nap routine, which I strive not to disrupt.
Despite my best efforts to avoid long car rides near nap time, circumstances don’t always allow for it. I will go to great lengths to prevent a car nap from happening because these naps are no trivial matter.
Stage 1
As I monitor my son through the rear-view mirror, I notice the telltale signs of sleepiness: yawning and eye rubbing. Recognizing the imminent danger, I dive into an engaging conversation to keep him alert. “Did you have fun today? What was your favorite part? Isn’t running errands with Mom a blast? Remember that little boy at the park who kept picking his nose?”
Stage 2
When light chatter fails, it’s time to amp up the excitement with technology. I turn on an animated movie in our minivan or pull out my phone to show him family videos. “Hey, look at this picture of the giraffe we saw at the zoo! Remember when your brother opened his birthday presents? Here’s a video to jog your memory!”
Stage 3
As his eyelids become heavy, I raise the stakes. My voice reaches a new volume as I exclaim, “OH MY GOSH! LOOK AT THAT TREE! IT’S SO GREEN AND TALL! AND THAT CAR HAS FOUR—YES, FOUR—WHEELS! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? CLOUDS! THERE ARE CLOUDS IN THE SKY!”
Stage 4
At this point, I’m nearly desperate. His eyes are glazed over, and my loud antics aren’t working. I rummage through my purse for any candy or toys that might revive his interest. If needed, I’ll roll the windows up and down repeatedly to jolt him back to awareness. I can only imagine what the drivers next to me think as they see my son’s sleepy face vanish and reappear with each window movement. If they’re parents, they totally understand.
Stage 5
Wake. The. Kiddo! By now, I’m resorting to extreme measures. If my husband is driving, I’m right in my son’s face giving kisses, making silly noises, and playing games. If I’m behind the wheel alone, I’m reaching back to shake his limbs or tickle his feet. I crank up the music and sing at the top of my lungs.
If none of this works, my day is basically shot. I might as well drive in circles to let him sleep as long as possible, which typically ends up being a mere half-hour, compared to his usual hour and a half nap at home. The rest of the day is likely to be a disaster filled with crankiness and tantrums. An early bedtime might save the day, but if luck isn’t on my side, I’ll be facing an overtired child who won’t sleep well and will wake up early the next day. Ugh, car naps!
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Summary
Navigating the challenges of car naps can feel like a battle for parents. The author outlines a series of desperate measures taken to keep their child awake during critical nap times, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a consistent sleep routine for the well-being of the family. Despite the inevitable struggles, the narrative provides a relatable look at parenting while offering resources for those interested in fertility and home insemination.