Babies and Toddlers need naps, and sometimes mommy also needs a nap, since babies and toddlers are exhausting. So “why not take a nap with your toddler?” you might think. Then you will see why that might not work so well. On weekends, I try to get some rest when my little guy does, because as it is I run on not enough sleep during the workweek. But with Baby H, it is easier said than done and it really is a toss-up if I even can fall asleep next to him.
If you have a magical unicorn for a toddler, your nap will look something like this:
- Toddler is sleepy. Lie down with toddler.
- Toddler falls asleep. Now you fall asleep.
Since magical unicorns do not exist, this is what your nap with a toddler might actually look like, in 10 “easy” steps:
- Toddler is sleepy. Lie down with toddler.
- Toddler protests being laid down. How dare you try to make toddler take a nap. Get back up and rock to calm toddler.
- Toddler gets calm and sleepy, so you lie down again and Toddler lets you this time.
- Toddler crawls on you to try to find a comfortable position.
- Toddler crawls back over you.
- Toddler wiggles with butt-in-air for a while.
- Toddler gets up and smacks you. Or scratches you with toddler-claws.
- Toddler lays down on your face.
- Toddler finds your face to be most comfortable and falls asleep.
- Now you can’t sleep or move, but at least the toddler is quiet.
Trista, Domesticated Momster says
This is so true! I’ve never been a napper and even after having babies and waking during the night to feed and feeling like I should have napped …still didn’t. Instead I was busy getting everything I possibly could finished while they were asleep. And all 3 of mine were done napping before they reached the age of 3. Thanks for linking up with #momsterslink and sorry for the delay in commenting as I had family visiting and then the flu hit my household like a ton of bricks.
Julie says
Oh no the flu! Hope everyone’s feeling better. Yea I usually use nap time to be productive, but sometimes we try to lay down together.
You Baby Me Mummy says
Ha ha! Very true! Although Baby no longer naps! ahhhhhh! Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
Julie says
Oh no, she’s done with naps already?
MMT says
I think it’s safe to say I have never napped when either of my girls have napped… I’m just always too conscious of what I can do without a toddler / baby clinging to me! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub…I still live in hope of that expectation picture!
Julie says
Yea I’m with you, there is so much we can do with that quiet time. But sometimes you just need to rest too. Especially during cold/flu season when everyone is miserable.
Get Out Mama says
My toddler loves laying down to sleep with me – it makes life easier on me too (plus I love getting a bit of rest despite my crazy schedule). Thanks for this great article!
Julie says
Thanks 🙂 Yes, definitely getting any extra rest we can is wonderful.
Healing Mama says
Hahahaha! This sounds about right!
tori says
Yes! I dont even bother trying to get my preschooler to nap since i dont know when because it was a melt down every time. I’m like “seriously kid, naps are my favourite thing ever. What is wrong with you?!” Thanks for the laugh!
Tori
http://www.themamanurse.com
Julie says
So true – naps are the best. It is so sad when kids decide they don’t need them anymore. It’s like, kid, you’ll miss them when you can’t have them anymore.
lana says
OMG, I used to be sooo jealous when my friend told me her baby would nap for 3 hours! Mine hardly ever slept more than 1 hour. In fact, when he did, I couldn’t move him or go anywhere with a change in temperature (like if he was in his stroller and I wanted to walk into the grocery store). When he was a toddler, he’d actually take 20-minute cat naps so at least I didn’t have to wake him for danger of staying up at night. I rarely wanted to sleep when he did. I was always trying to get stuff done.
Julie says
My baby didn’t sleep for long stretches as a baby either. Now as a toddler, he’s all over the place, sometimes only a 30 minute nap, sometimes 3 hours. There’s no telling what kind of nap he’s going to have but I do my best to at least keep the dogs quiet.
Trish says
So true!! The only time I sleep with my babies is when we’re traveling (and they absolutely refuse to sleep alone) and it usually means that I get kicked all night while they sleep peacefully. Meanwhile my husband usually gets a bed to himself.
Julie says
Ah yes traveling is a whole nother issue. We do have to bed share when we travel since he refuses the pack and play and we can’t exactly take the crib with us. But he wakes a lot so none of us get any sleep. Who’s idea was it for hubby to have a separate bed? he’s getting quite the good deal there.
Hannah G says
So true! Why must they fight napping, I usually get kicked a few times whilst my little tries to get comfy, followed by a dead arm when she falls asleep on it haha! #coolmumclub
Julie says
Oh dead arm, yes not fun at all.
Erin @ Stay At Home Yogi says
What is it about sleeping on our faces??!! I don’t get how my skull makes such a good pillow! 🙂
Julie says
He likes to nap on my cheek, so maybe that’s soft enough. Or just the closeness?