I force my children into taking naps. I’m convinced this is healthy for them because sleeping promotes growth, prevents illness, increases brain cell formation, and most importantly provides me with a break that will ensure they live to see another day.
Naps save LIVES at my house!!
That being said, I catch a bit of grief from family and friends because whenever they call I’m either:
a.) “Getting ready to lay the kids down”
b.) “Have just laid the kids down”
or c.) “Am about to wake the kids up”
Popular opinion has it that kids aged 4, 6, and 8 are old enough to actually stay up all day.
*Insert hysterical laughter borderline intense sobbing.*
Up all day??
What in God’s green earth would I do with my children all day long? The very thought threatens the existence of my well established Routine. And I am nothing without The Routine. The children will be in charge. They will take over. They will demand we do things and go places and they will want to eat more!
They will make messes and bicker and break things. They will turn to drugs and start stealing. They will run away from home with strangers who promise more drugs. They will wind up living homeless on the streets begging for money to support their filthy habits.
I have to save them from themselves. I have to keep them off the streets.
It is this deep inner need to protect them that forces me to continue The Routine. My children will be taking naps well into their tweens.
At the age of 13 they will all get jobs and begin paying me back for the hours I’ve spent selflessly caring for them.
Nap time must continue.
Carri says
I’m with you. I’m NEVER giving up nap time! EVER. My kid will be taking naps until he moves out. Why? Because people die when I don’t have my quiet time.
June Freaking Cleaver says
I want whatever drug you’re on…8 and 6 and still napping? Even at 4, most kids give up the nap.
Do you subject them to hours of hard labor to exhaust them to the point of napping? How do your daughters stay awake at school?
How many hours do they sleep at night?
Did your mom force you to nap when you were 8?
Now, when they’re my age, then I’m all for them taking a nice afternoon nap.
tracy@sellabitmum says
lol When my eldest stopped napping at 4.5 I cried for a week and then instituted 1.5 hours of quiet time in the afternoon. So now why my toddler sleeps my 6 and 8 year old must read or draw or whatever as long as it’s quiet and they do not talk to me. ;)
Marie says
I love, love, love this. I don’t think I ever stopped taking naps. Sleep is good!
-MM
Amy says
This is clearly where I went wrong and why I am slowly going insane. Naps have never been very popular around here.
Bossy Betty says
Love your title and agree with it 100%.
Susanna@Susanna Leonard Hill says
I hear you! But good luck with that :)
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation says
Dude seriously. Long live nap time!! Even if they don’t actually fall asleep, mine are in their rooms from 1-3pm.
Jacki says
My 9 year old didn’t really need naps after the age of 5, but he can play in his room with his legos for hours (an entire weekend if I let him). So quite time is never an issue. The older one, at 11, I swear she still needs daily naps.
Maddie says
My kids have never napped, I mean like really I plan on bringing this up as a point of leverage when they are picking my retirement home. I do insist on “quiet time” in their rooms each day, or as I like to call ” the time when mommy can sneak some ice cream time”. Of course these days we are so freaking busy that we rarely have time for the quiet time.. lessons, events, co-ops.. I assure you this is why I am getting old and gray so fast.
Maddie
Paulina J! says
I’m all about napping and I’m 30! Even though I don’t get to nap on a daily basis, I either nap on Saturday or Sunday. One of the reasons I’m looking forward to having a baby is to have an excuse to nap during the week without the judgment. I can clean later :)
Domesticated Gal says
At least once a week my not even 2yr old attempts to boycott naptime. I tell him that’s fine. Either way? He’s not coming out of that room until 4.
Cindee says
I am so on bored with that one. My kids always napped. I told them they must rest their bodies. Our so they thought. Humm now that they are mommies they must have learned that behavior. Those gran kiddos do the same. But I do have an issue. When the grown mommies and daddies visit they fall into the nap mode. Humm
Jennifer says
My daughter has never, ever wanted to take a nap. I was actually glad when she started Kindergarten because the forced daycare nap went away, which means she goes to sleep at night. Before I could never get her in bed and asleep before 10. Now she is out by 8:30. That’s awesome.
Jamie says
Amen! We ALL need a break from each other!
Adrienne says
Always had two great sleepers – I know, not fair, but true! They even napped after school some times in high school (they had to get up so insanely early!)…sleep is magic. Too bad I’ve always looked at others’ sleep as a way to have time to DO more stuff myself. Leaves me sleep deprived while those around me are well rested. Something wrong with this!!
Melissa says
I so agree, Long Live Naptime :)
Kimberly says
I would die without nap time. Seriously. Even if they’re not sleeping I’ll make them stay in their room for quiet time. I need a break!
nicole says
We have naps/quiet time every day too. My oldest kids don’t always have to sleep but they do have to spend time in their rooms reading or doing other quiet activities. They fall asleep at least half the time anyway. It is essential time for all of us. Keep it up!
Babaloo says
This is the most intelligent, insightful thing I’ve read all day. Nap time does save lives!
Christi says
Lucky you. I wish my 11-year-old still napped. My one-year-old is getting close to just one nap a day and I find myself mourning it.
Amy - Hamlet's Mistress says
I am convinced the world would be a better place if everyone had to take two hour naps a day.
Jen says
Girl! I totally agree with you. Naps are a must.
MangoChutney says
I totally agree! There is no other logical way but to make them take a nap!!! It keeps me from them killing me and me from …… them ;) *hysterical laughter*
kisatrtle says
I am impressed that you can still accomplish this. Impressed and oh so jealous.
Andrea says
Oh crap I have doomed my children to homelessness? The twins gave up naps at 2.5 right in the middle of my last pregnancy. Yes, I could have cried but I was too tired…
And besides if I let them sleep during the day they’d stay up til ten!
Hmmm… later nights or dru addiction. What’s a mama to do?
The Foodnatic says
I totally agree with you…I am a creature of routine…therefore my children will be also. I’d like to think I am norm….health…ok…sane… I know I am sane. My kid falls asleep on his own if I don’t get him into his bed. It’s a SIGN! I take it and run. When our son sleeps, I sleep… When he naps on the weekends and hubby isn’t working…he naps WITH me…and we really sleep. Lol…this kid takes a lot out of us. He needs a sibling… I’m convinced!
Karen says
I love your argument for naps. Now if I could just train my husband that the kids need to go to sleep before 11 pm for the same reasons…. think I’ll print your post as a training resource!
Tonya says
AFUCKINGMEN!!
Life with Kaishon says
I can’t wait until they begin their careers at age 13 : ) I know you will have lots of great stories to tell about their jobs!