It’s inevitable. Nap time eventually becomes a rarity. And less napping means less time for mom. Less time for cleaning, laundry, working, or just taking a short break.
This last spring, Boston’s naps started to become less common. He was taking, on average, a nap every second or third day. At first, I was fighting him on it. I really wanted him to nap. But, I soon realized that it was a lost cause and I was just causing too many tears and making us both miserable. So, instead of making him nap everyday, we decided that he needed to have 30 minutes of quiet time a day. Quiet time meant he had to lay in his bed and read books or play with small toys and occasionally he would fall asleep too. I set a timer and he had to stay in his room until the timer went off. If he fell asleep, I turned the timer off so it wouldn’t wake him. It worked pretty well. Of course at first, maybe the first 3-4 days, he came out every so often, but I added time to his 30 minutes if he did. He soon learned to stay in his room, and that 30 minutes wasn’t too long after all.
Fast forward 6 months, and naturally that phase has passed. He still does quiet time, but it looks a little different. We continue to have the 30 minute rule and the timer. But, instead of having to lay in his bed, he can choose what he does. He can play quietly in his room, quietly read, or do an independent art project. In the end, he gets time to unwind by himself and I also get a few free minutes to get some things done and have a bit of quiet time myself in an otherwise loud and busy day!
It may seem trivial, but this part of our day is actually very important. Both Boston and I need that break. I need a few minutes to recharge me. He needs those minutes of alone time to help build his imagination and gain social independence and the confidence to be alone. It gives him control over himself and his actions making him more self reliant.
Boston has had daily quiet time for just over 6 months now and I can see how much he loves that time. Some days he even continues to play on his own past his 30 minute timer. He has also started planning what he is going to play during his alone time before it even starts. I love watching his independence, curiosity, and self confidence grow through such a simple, yet important part of our everyday life.
