Farewell, dear nap, I miss you already

By Amber

Hurricane Hadley is finished with naps. At least she thinks she is. I, however, have a dissenting opinion.

For three long years of riding the roller-coaster of colic, tantrums and general insubordination, naptime has been my only reprieve. Sometimes I passed out and took a nap, too. Sometimes I blogged. Other times I cooked and cleaned. And not to be forgotten is when I just stared at the wall and blubbered away incomprehensibly. Those were the particularly tough days.

Shortly after her third birthday, Hadley's internal clock informed her she was done. I admit I did not greet the clock's assertions with happiness. I resisted, and we clashed over and over again. My reasoning is if this is a veritable clock, then why doesn't it tell her to use the potty? That is what I would say if I were a timepiece.

Of course, my resistance is selfish and maybe I should be the kind of mother who thinks, "Oh goody! Another two hours with my daughter!" But I am not. I am perfectly content with the 12 hours we already spend together.

My resistance is a matter of survival. Those two hours were my only opportunity to recharge, rejuvenate and reflect upon what a blessing it is to be at home watching my children blossom.

My husband and I want to have another baby next year and I am apprehensive about having The Hurricane bounce off the walls all day long during that exhausting and sickly first trimester. Oh yeah, and the third trimester won't be a walk in the park, either. Because when this whale is blubbered and beached, I will need a break.

I know this is just one of "Life's Passages" that I need to accept. But please tell me you've been here, you've felt this and know my pain.

And to all those well-intentioned women who have advised me that I can just implement "Quiet Time" What in heaven's name is that?

Amber is a former adventure-travel writer turned adventurous unraveling mother to two-year-old Hadley and baby Bode.

Comments

[Notty5]

Amber,
My daughter just turned two, and hasn't napped in eight months. She is very active and seems well adjusted internally to this. Believe me, this was her choice, not mine. We just moved her from our bed, to her 'big girl bed'. She has handled it extremely well. Next hurdle, the potty.

[Sue]

Amber,
I feel your pain! The afternoon nap is my break, too. My three year-old is on the verge of giving up naps, so I'm using a "Quiet Time" trick I learned from my mom.

When I gave up my nap as a kid, my mom was afraid that my brother (2 years younger) would follow suit. So she created the Play Rest. I could play with my toys or whatever I wanted to do, as long as I stayed on my bed. So I would drag my Barbies and toys to my bed and play quietly for an hour or two while my brother napped in his room.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[healthwatchcenter]

Hi Amber,

Potty training toddler is not the easiest thing.

As the toddler throws temper tantrums, it is difficult in potty training toddler.

You should tell your toddler that she cannot enjoy the comforts of peeing and pooping in the diaper anymore.

Potty training can be a welcome change for some toddlers.

Some toddlers take to the potty with great excitement.

Toddlers love the absence of a messy diaper and get a real kick out of using the toilet.

The Parents Zone.
http://www.theparentszone.com/

[andidiehn]

Oh, I miss naps! My 3 yr old just gave them up and the days seemed to have doubled in length. We're pretty strict about TV time, but I find I let my boys watch a bit more now that it's my only break. That glass of wine at the end of the day is well earned - though I suppose that's not great advice for someone looking forward towards pregnancy...