toddler napping

The other day, I felt like I won the lottery. My toddler went down for a nap exactly when I planned! I should note that J is an on-demand napper, sometimes crashing at 10 a.m., other times not until 4 p.m., but usually somewhere in between (and often not when we want her to!). We find that the on-demand schedule works for us, as it gives us more freedom to not have to rush home at a certain time. It also helps that she’s flexible enough to sleep in a carseat or stroller, should the need arise.

But the other day, she took the best nap ever, and right on schedule! We got home from a playgroup, and she went to sleep as soon as we got home. J was exhausted and needed her sleep, and she actually acknowledged it. With pleasure, I put her in the crib.

Stunned, I looked around the house and thought, “What do I do now?” There were so many options! Dear reader, should you be in such a similar predicament, I offer you a few choices:

Clean the house

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this is usually the one I go to first. I have learned that J’s naps are my most productive hours of the day. You would be amazed at how quickly you can tidy up toys, sweep, mop, and do and fold laundry when the house is still and quiet. Yes, I could clean the house at night after she goes to bed… but I’m typically useless at that hour. By the time J is in bed, I’m exhausted.

Eat a meal

With two hands. At the temperature it is meant to be eaten at!

Yes, moms, you can have a hot cup of coffee and drink it, too! When J is napping, I am surprised at how quiet mealtime can be. There are no requests for certain music. There is no acting like a goalie to food she wants to shoot off the highchair tray. There is no racing against the clock to finish your food before she does hers. It… is… glorious! Eerily quiet and calm, but glorious.

Phone a friend

I was amazed the first time I was able to call a girlfriend and not have my toddler grabbing at the phone. Yes, I can do this at night. But, again, I am usually exhausted. Bonus if your girlfriend is sans-kids at the same time and able to be just as focused as you. The other day, my best friend had ducked out of her house, leaving her husband and newborn for a little while. We actually got to talk AND hear each other and use toddler-unfriendly vocabulary!

Surf the internet

Maybe you have an important e-mail to write. Maybe you want to do some online shopping. Maybe you want to catch up on a blog you follow. If your kid’s anything like mine, the second the computer, iPad, or smartphone is out, she’s clamoring for it! Plus, we try really hard to be fully present with her when we’re with her and save screens and phones for when she’s not around. Undisturbed internet time is precious.

Catch up on Netflix

What show are you addicted to? “Jessica Jones”? “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce”? “Orange Is the New Black”? No matter your passion, you can watch it and not worry about your toddler being exposed to TV! Bonus: You can fold laundry or surf the internet at the same time — and you’ll feel doubly productive!

Have a quickie

The toddler has fallen asleep. You are fairly awake. You are well fed. The house is clean. It’s… been awhile. You look at your partner, and you’re both thinking the same thing. The spark is there, and you feel spontaneous and risqué. Enjoy, dear mama! Just keep quiet ;).

I definitely see the merits of having a scheduled nap time, and I know J has a schedule at daycare. But, somehow, it never transferred to home life, nor did we particularly want it to. And, in a way, it adds some excitement (yes, some frustration, too) to my life. I feel like I get an extra jolt of energy and giddiness when she goes down!

Anyone else out there who doesn’t have their kids on a scheduled nap? What are some of your favorite things to do during nap time?

 

Lindsay Goldberg
Lindsay Goldberg is a working mom who then comes home and works there, too. She loves finding quick, healthy recipes to make for her family and lives for her Sunday morning escape to the gym. She has given up on trying to find balance, and is, instead focused on surviving and being Good Enough. Likes- books, family dance parties, morning snuggles, and drinking coffee when it's still hot. Dislikes- recipes with more than 10 ingredients or 10 steps, winter, and deadlines