tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post3320531627610121301..comments2024-03-29T01:05:17.952-05:00Comments on Making Home: The Importance of the Mid-Day NapJess Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00372282510182101716noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-38053212689022247342008-10-14T17:34:00.000-05:002008-10-14T17:34:00.000-05:00Thank you for this well written advice!! I have t...Thank you for this well written advice!! I have two young boys, 4 years old and 18 months. I have struggled with implementing this into our schedule, but I'm determined to overcome my own lax attitude toward it for the good of my boys and the peace of our household. Reading your ideas has been a tremendous encouragement. <BR/>Thank you!Rebekahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10439283955558301409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-81283332438810902022008-09-29T20:12:00.000-05:002008-09-29T20:12:00.000-05:00Jess, just found your blog through my friend Diann...Jess, just found your blog through my friend Dianna's, and I really enjoyed this post. My 7, under age 7, all take a rest time EVERY day for 1-2 hours. Love my rest time!<BR/><BR/>In Christ, LauraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-50466754747263950352008-09-25T19:59:00.000-05:002008-09-25T19:59:00.000-05:00I have seen first hand how naps have helped, and t...I have seen first hand how naps have helped, and then, as you said, as they get older, times of resting or quiet, etc. Even now, napping is so important to us. Your dad naps a lot because of his unusual schedule, and on the weekends napping helps me "gear up and gain strength" for the week ahead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-88366443181388907572008-09-24T22:52:00.000-05:002008-09-24T22:52:00.000-05:00I appreciated your post. We are a nap taking famil...I appreciated your post. We are a nap taking family too. Having naps has really made life a lot easier for us. Currently my kids are 2, almost 5, 7 and almost 9. Each day after lunch and reading (Bible, something studious and something for fun.)we all lay down on our own beds for naps. The 2 year old always sleeps, the almost 5 year old usually does and the 7 yr. old does very occasionally and the almost 9 year old doesn't. Everybody gets to take books to bed to look at or read. I also spend time reading and then I take about a 20 minutes nap. My nap makes me feel much more awake and able to work(or play!) in the evenings when my husband is home and the kids are all much more cheerful after thier rest time. Those that don't sleep lie down for 1- 1 1/2 hours and the others nap as long as they need too (unless we have to go somewhere.) <BR/> Napping/resting really works well for us.Abbihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01842277589160618685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-65527906477327400692008-09-24T21:20:00.000-05:002008-09-24T21:20:00.000-05:00I know a whole lot of people have already said thi...I know a whole lot of people have already said this-but I SO agree!!!<BR/><BR/>Our 7 year old still rests for 1.5 hours every day, & both babies (13 months apart) rest in the AM & NAP in the PM. <BR/><BR/>I have found that I need that "down" time just as much as them!Kim & Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02347650137866174581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-62625090349566147342008-09-22T14:50:00.000-05:002008-09-22T14:50:00.000-05:00Hooray for napping! Children DO need rest and giv...Hooray for napping! Children DO need rest and giving a quiet time each afternoon is SO important. My 5yo comes home from (half day) kindergarten each day and takes a rest. We read and snuggle and whisper to each other a bit and then I leave the room. Most days he falls asleep for a bit but even when he doesn't sleep, he lies there until he's ready to get up (sometimes he'll turn on a light and look at books or play quietly with a toy). I completely agree that naps are not punitive if they are instilled in a loving way and just part of the daily routine like eating, dressing, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-72175636784021682992008-09-22T14:37:00.000-05:002008-09-22T14:37:00.000-05:00I'm the mom of a 9 month old, and I wholeheart...I'm the mom of a 9 month old, and I wholeheartedly agree with what you've written. It's a daily struggle, though, and I'm stumped<BR/><BR/>Before Alex (my little guy) was born, I babysat three children ages 4, 2.5, & 1. I required all three children to nap from 1 PM to at least 2:30 PM...and often they napped until 3/3:30 PM.<BR/><BR/>My little guy is NOT a good napper, though. I'm not sure where we went wrong. He only sleeps 30 - 45 minutes each morning. He wakes after 30 - 45 minutes in the afternoon, as well, and I pat him on the back, then let him cry it out for 15 or 20 minutes. Many days, though, he never falls back to sleep. Sometimes he'll take a brief (20 minute) nap around 5 PM if his afternoon nap is really short. <BR/><BR/>He sleeps well at night - 7:30 or 8 PM until 6:30 or 7 AM. <BR/><BR/>Any suggestions for increasing his naptimes? I could really use the help, as I've never encountered such a stubborn kid at naptime! :)<BR/><BR/>DawnMamaDuck76https://www.blogger.com/profile/07369935777865369677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-33845221479832723152008-09-21T21:45:00.000-05:002008-09-21T21:45:00.000-05:00I totally agree. My 15 mo old daughter was, for th...I totally agree. My 15 mo old daughter was, for the most part, a decent napper. Teething didn't help, but she was generally good about going down twice a day for at least an hour. <BR/><BR/>Now, though, she's transitioning to one nap and it's been a struggle. Do you ever have days where a child (or children) just won't go down? I don't mean willful disobedience, I mean just can't seem to fall asleep and stay asleep. I wondered how you handled such days.anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03993158642184311825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-20804590119647955692008-09-20T10:52:00.000-05:002008-09-20T10:52:00.000-05:00Wow! A lot of mommies sure got excited about this ...Wow! A lot of mommies sure got excited about this topic! <BR/><BR/>I just wanted to emphasize something that's been said in these replies but is easy to miss...and that is, when a child "grows out" of the need to nap they still benefit from a regular quiet time. Part of my plan for giving my children a healthy childhood is teaching them to enjoy being alone with themselves. I know many adults who can't be alone without a t.v. or radio blaring. Children who can comfortably spend an hour or two by themselves (in a house with a mom nearby) are children who will grow up to be adults who can contemplate great things and who can hear the still small voice of the Lord in a world that gets busier all the time.<BR/><BR/>Finding places for all my many children to be "alone" at a regular time can be a challenge(because we have pairs of children sharing bedrooms). One ends up on our bed, one on the couch in the den, the little one is in his own bed in the room he shares with a sibling, in the summer one son may get to be in the tent in the yard etc. <BR/><BR/>JillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-21884284609609408682008-09-20T10:24:00.000-05:002008-09-20T10:24:00.000-05:00Beautiful, what a doll!!Beautiful, what a doll!!Praise and Coffeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18273673325959351521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-58448304502456300272008-09-19T21:59:00.000-05:002008-09-19T21:59:00.000-05:00Jess, you are so wise! Thank you for speaking out...Jess, you are so wise! Thank you for speaking out about this. Related to naps is unplugged playtime. (Playtime with out computers, video games or other digital media.) I recently came across the following:<BR/><BR/>"Today's 5-year-olds were acting at the level of 3-year-olds 60 years ago, and today's 7-year-olds were barely approaching the level of a 5-year-old 60 years ago," Bodrova explains. "So the results were very sad."<BR/><BR/>http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19212514<BR/><BR/>and from the American Academy of Pediatrics: <BR/><BR/>http://www.aap.org/stress/stressparent.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-33488547072668367702008-09-19T16:51:00.000-05:002008-09-19T16:51:00.000-05:00I highly encourage ALL mothers to institute the re...I highly encourage ALL mothers to institute the rest time routine. My kids still rest at 10 (almost 11), 8 & 6 and the toddler naps. It's a lifesaver for all of us. I am so much better as a mother for the little respite I get through the afternoon!mary gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11028269181342950218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-55141200549817114282008-09-19T15:08:00.000-05:002008-09-19T15:08:00.000-05:00Hi Jess, well said. I'm an AP parent and I don't k...Hi Jess, well said. I'm an AP parent and I don't know what AP parent doesn't do naps/rest time. While my energetic daugther started to drops naps almost a year ago now she quickly learned that mommy expected quiet time/rest time. Even now while she rarely naps she has learned to play quietly for about 2 hours each day.<BR/>KellyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18031256003548447236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-67475833795686071372008-09-19T10:21:00.000-05:002008-09-19T10:21:00.000-05:00It's funny Jess that you mention schedule vs AP. I...It's funny Jess that you mention schedule vs AP. I actually practice attachment parenting (though perhaps not as religiously as some), and my daughter naturally came to the exact nap schedule you mention here! She is now 14 months old and about to transition to her second nap. I find that when I used to wait until she was actually showing signs of being tired when I put her down, she would inevitably get cranky or stumble and hurt herself directly before the nap and end up lying in her crib in tears. Now, I put her down before that point, at our scheduled times (or round about), and she goes down sweetly. Even if she's not tired right away, I can hear her cheerfully chatting away to her stuffed rabbit that she sleeps with and then falling asleep soon after!<BR/>~BethanyBethany Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002485534563054176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-19606115522557636732008-09-19T09:24:00.000-05:002008-09-19T09:24:00.000-05:00I enjoy reading your blog, so you've been "tagged"...I enjoy reading your blog, so you've been "tagged"!Joanna J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15161077456068547776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-58006303881643340222008-09-19T07:13:00.000-05:002008-09-19T07:13:00.000-05:00Excellent words of wisdom Jess! Nap times and qui...Excellent words of wisdom Jess! Nap times and quiet times are a MUST around here!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04783304767699830781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-13499405681636182972008-09-18T22:17:00.000-05:002008-09-18T22:17:00.000-05:00I wholeheartedly agree with your post! My 5 and 3...I wholeheartedly agree with your post! My 5 and 3 year old children still nap. The 5 year old doesn't sleep every day, but he still does about half of the time. I've told him that as long as he is in his bed and not keeping up his brother (they share a room) he can read or color or play quietly, but he has to be in his bed! It is necessary for my sanity to keep it this way!Johannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00436720646561133434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-62992837259624236012008-09-18T14:50:00.000-05:002008-09-18T14:50:00.000-05:00I heartily agree, Jess! The midday nap is a must i...I heartily agree, Jess! The midday nap is a must in our house. It usually lasts about 2 hours and it gives me much needed down time as well as a chance to catch up on some things that are just easier to do without a toddler pulling on my skirt, much as I love that!Elspeth https://www.blogger.com/profile/17495546895657214080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-87921828755636353472008-09-18T11:02:00.000-05:002008-09-18T11:02:00.000-05:00My 5 year old (who attends half day Kindergarten a...My 5 year old (who attends half day Kindergarten at our church) and 3 year old both nap daily. On the days that the older one is not as obviously tired, she is allowed to get up after 30-45 min (if her brother is asleep since they share a room) and look at books or color. However, she must not wake me or her brother. (I am 36 weeks pregnant and cherish my afternoon rest.) <BR/><BR/>We have required rest from the time they were babies and even had to fight for them at 12-18 month stage at times. However, it is wonderful to know that the house will be still for 2 hours every afternoon. I think it will be such a help when blessing #3 arrives that this pattern is still in place.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16353186454013915648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-16926009595758864222008-09-18T09:37:00.000-05:002008-09-18T09:37:00.000-05:00Jess, We have just hurdled the first trimester of ...Jess, <BR/><BR/>We have just hurdled the first trimester of our first blessing. With working from home and helping my husband as he both pastors and ministers - life gets exhausting. How refreshing to be encouraged to rest in our Lord, physically and spiritually!<BR/><BR/>By His grace, <BR/><BR/>Mama MegNick & Meg Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06046713768607354549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-76013915777502432462008-09-18T09:17:00.000-05:002008-09-18T09:17:00.000-05:00I LOVE this idea. It's good for everyone involved....I LOVE this idea. It's good for everyone involved.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15938278742353217344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-11159590648860119202008-09-18T08:21:00.000-05:002008-09-18T08:21:00.000-05:00Faith, honestly, do whatever you have to do to kee...Faith, honestly, do whatever you have to do to keep your kiddo in bed. My mom friends whose kids nap (or rest) well have done some combination of taking away dolls, blankies, toys, water bottles, etc. during nap AND bedtime, and spanking on second disobedience. <BR/><BR/>I've seen lots of parents try to implement this, and most people give up after the first week, which is usually quite a battle. But after a couple of weeks (plus the occasional relapse -- we ARE talking about little sinners here!) they stay in bed!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01926184833095262275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-2250449273828799182008-09-18T07:53:00.000-05:002008-09-18T07:53:00.000-05:00Ok, I don't have any children, but nap-time is sti...Ok, I don't have any children, but nap-time is still a must in our house simply because my husband and I work split shifts and need the rest. We will definately continue the tradition when the little ones come. <BR/><BR/>-Jen K.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-49414362234909391182008-09-17T22:45:00.000-05:002008-09-17T22:45:00.000-05:00I seriously believe that *I* need a midday nap.Rea...I seriously believe that *I* need a midday nap.<BR/><BR/>Really though, in some countries (Mexico...I believe?) businesses actually close for an hour or two during the day so that people can go home and eat lunch and take a nap or rest. What a good idea. Imagine not being exhausted all the time and what that could do for people!!Thespiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17224950748112985468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-62895041083783646462008-09-17T22:04:00.000-05:002008-09-17T22:04:00.000-05:00Kindergartens recognize the need for rest????? I d...Kindergartens recognize the need for rest????? <BR/><BR/>I don't think so!<BR/><BR/>Where I taught, when we transitioned to full-day Kindergarten, the children were given rest time the first 2 or 3 weeks of school and then that was over. <BR/><BR/>Full day of school---no rest. I'm not kidding. I suspect that's true elsewhere as well.Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13893224927335285415noreply@blogger.com