Does the feeling ever go away? I look at other mothers – you mothers out there with multiple kids, especially – and I think, “How do they do it without always needing a nap?” Or wait…maybe you do need one but you can’t take one so you just keep moving forward. Is that it?
Well, I’m not there yet. Coleman J. Hall is officially a great sleeper. We start the bedtime ritual (feeding and bath) at about 7 pm and he’s asleep by 7:30 or 8. That has worked for us for a long time. I have never minded having to get up once during the night to feed him because ever since Jason had his car accident I have had to get up to roll him over during the night anyway. So after 12 years – you might say I’m used to that part.
What seems to be working for Cole is to go to bed by 8 pm and then he has been waking up for a little food around 2 or 3 or 4 am. Somewhere in there. It doesn’t matter to me since that’s when I help Jason also: a two-for-one deal. To sweeten the situation, Cole’s middle of the night wake-up time has been gradually moving later and later until last week it was 5 am for a few nights and more and more he’ll sleep right through till 7 am. Plus, of course, he’ll take a couple of naps during the day. Yes – I’m lucky. I have a good sleeper.
So why do I still feel like I need a nap every day? This is currently my “question of the universe.” My universe, at least. What’s up with that? Does it ever get better or will I feel like this for the rest of my life? Moms, how in the heck do you do it?
I’ve always thought that mothers were amazing but as each day passes that belief is becoming more and more clear to me on many levels. Moms – you rock. So I’ve made you (and everyone else out there who needs a nap) a door hanger for our Download Day. (Not that it will actually work but hey, it’s worth a try and the idea of it might make you feel good).
Enjoy!
My advice? If you need the nap, take it! I don’t profess to be super mom (though some of my friends think I am), but I do my best. There are some days, though, when I DO need that nap and my youngest is 6 1/2 and WAY past getting up in the middle of the night.
So you know what? When Coleman naps, you nap. The dishes/dusting/plant watering will all be there when you wake up. And if you need to order in for a couple of nights, so be it.
If you don’t take care of you, who will?
Much love and hugs~
Christyne (Still napping mommy of 3)
Yes, my boys are 5 and almost 3 – I sometimes still need a nap too! lol
In my opinion, having the first baby made it harder to relax – it’s a new ‘job’ and I wanted to do everything in a timely manner and as close to perfection as possible!
Having the 2nd baby has actually made life easier for me – I’ve gained experience and it’s ok to let some things wait a bit (ie. dishes, laundry, etc.), perfection is all in ‘the eye of the beholder’… it’s ok to have breakfast for dinner or pizza twice a week!
It’s funny to me that it has taken me this long to realize that it was all in just learning to relax and trusting my instincts; I’m not sure that if the 2nd one hadn’t come along I would’ve still learned all of this on my own, lol, but it has really helped that us Mom’s are not alone!
You’re doing a great job, Kolette
Happy Mother’s Day!!!
I ha two babies within 15 months of each other, I ALWAYS needed a nap, and mine hardly ever napped at the same time. I just took it one day at a time and sometimes napped when they did. I didn’t get everything done and still don’t! I tried hard to remember that it will pass, and it did. I guess I took a lot of days one at a time and got through it somehow. It is sometimes a sleep deprived mommy fog, but it is soooo worth it. You are doing great! Keep it up
You know it is said that people who stop and nap for 15 to 20 mins a day, feel better and live longer. I say if you live longer with a 15 min nap then just think how long you live with a 30 min nap. My doctor explained to me when mine was young that it is good advice to sleep when they sleep believe it or not the dishes will still be there along with the laundry. I am a “Flybaby” and I scheduled a nap for 15 mins a day if needed, into my routine. It is amazing what 15 mins of napping or resting will do for your mind and body.
Hang in there. It does get better! It took 9 months to grow that baby and it takes at least that long for your body to adjust both mentally and physically. As the mother of 5 (in 7 years) I couldn’t always nap when the baby napped because there was always someone else who needed me. Even with my first, I took the time he was alseep to catch up on other things. I felt better that way. I was tired all the time, but it does get better. Being a superwoman is a myth, we are all just doing our best. Find out what your best is (it will be different than any one else’s) and hang in there. We put such high expectations on ourselves as mothers. Be patient and make sure your expectations are in line with where you are at right now. HUGS!!
I just wanted to say that I take my hat of to you and other mums out there. You may be tired and need to have a nap but you have children to care for.
I on the other hand am single, with no children. And I feel tired and want a nap somedays – well if I am honest most days. And well I have given up trying to find a reason or excuse for my need to nap.
So I’d say don’t question it. Go with the flow. You have a lovely baby boy to look after – so what if you need a nap. If your body says it needs sleep then it does. And at least you have a good reason – a cute young man in your life
LOL You mentioned moms of multiples and I just had to chime in Kolette. With my daughter I did nap the first few weeks until we all got on a schedule. Then once things were semi-normal I stopped and started using naptime as my office time. With the boys this was a little harder. Usually one would eat and then nod off to sleep just in time for me to start the process with the other one and I had a four year old at home as well so it wasn’t like I could lay down and take a nap. For about the first three months I lived for coffee and thankfully my husband was good at helping me get the boys to sleep at night so that I didn’t have double duty there. Then I would go off to bed immediately (even if it was only 7pm) and he would stay up until about 10 pm in case they got up. But he’s a heavy sleeper and had to work early in the morning so once he fell asleep it was back on me. Thankfully we did sleep training with the boys at three months, worked like a charm and they have slept through the night since three months old. Sleep training is what saved me from going completely insane.
Hang in there, you will eventually regain your ability to make it through a day without needing a nap! And I love today’s download! I may have to make something with that for my friend who is having her first baby soon, maybe something she can hang on the front door to let delivery people know that she and the baby are sleeping so that they don’t ring the bell!
Adults need lessons from kids, we need naps, recess, play time, and VBS, plus coloring books and crayons!
You’ll catch up on your sleep in about 18 years
You know, my kids are 14 and 17 and although they don’t wake me up every night, they do often contribute to me not sleeping well, or falling asleep fast enough. So I too would like to take a nap…and could probably deal with taking one every day…unfortunately, I don’t think that my job would appreciate it so much!
So, enjoy it while you can and appreciate that you can support your family working from home, making that naptime something you can have if you want!!
Thanks for the great hang tag–I plan to use it tomorrow! I teach a class on Tuesday evenings (Infants and Toddlers, Theory and Practice) and I do a much better job sharing ideas and facilitating discussions when I make time for a nap. Christyne is so right, self care is important–so we are continually refreshed and able to give anew.
Naps, as Vickie Jones said are one of the valuable learnings we gain from babies. Enjoy the sleep–be it long or short!
Ellen
Hello again–
ExchangeEveryDay is a wonderful early childhood e-message that I get every day. It is amazing how often it is so on target for what is going on that day or is a topic that perfectly fits the discussion.
Check this link: http://www.childcareexchange.com/eed/
I think Vickie said it best!
Kolette,
I have a great sleeper too. He’s four and a half now, and still falls asleep by 7:30, just as he has ever since he was a baby. I have the evenings to get stuff done, but honestly, since I’m so tired, I often fall asleep right after putting him to bed. Yes, I’d love to be able to nap instead, and then stay up later, but I work full time so that’s not an option. Motherhood is the greatest thing ever, but so totally exhausting! So yes, a very early bedtime is my way of coping!
Cynthia
Please don’t make me give up my nap!! My kids are 7, and some days… oh yes, once they’re off to school, I’m back in the bed.
A time for every purpose under heaven…. including a nap!
You are so lucky. It took a while for Alex to be a good sleeper. You will never catch up on your sleep, but if you get a chance take a nap…even a little one will help. I was never a nap taker until I had a baby. Now that he is 16 months old, I am back to my old self.
I received your beautiful stamps that I won last month. Thank you so much
They are wonderful.
Naps, I remember naps. By the time the 5th one came along there was simply no way that was ever going to happen again. And then came early morning seminary. After more than a decade of getting up at 5 AM I simply can’t sleep beyond 5:30, even on vacation. Good thing I’m a morning person.
Naps for Mothers=my defination… is we need more Oxygen to get us through the day and not overload on caffeine drinks like pepsi, so the next thing is a power nap.
the one where you finally get to sit down for the day and out you go for about 15 minutes. I think it is perfectly great for you to nap with Cole. Most professors agree on these power naps, it is just your body needing to rest, plain and simple.
Moms work is never done and must rest is needed.
Sometimes I find it that if I over nap or dose off, then the headache starts as it was too much sleep.
Sleep is funny huh? You dont’ get enough, your head hurts, you get too much, your head hurts. LOL
I have all my children in school as teenagers and so I still power nap at times being a SAHM. But, it happens at times when OPRAH just comes on. LOL
I get up at 6am each day, cook my hubbys lunch, each day, feed our farm animals, inside animals, make coffee, and then feed myself. LOL that is generally all before 8am.
then it is time for laundry etc. Never ends and then everyone comes home for the day and time to cook again. LOL
dont’ feel quilty for napping as Big Bird does. LOL
thanks for the download, super fab!