Large Wings Rorschach Poster by Knena Nicole
What do you do during naptime?
I feel like this is the Rorschach test for mothers. This, more that any other question will out every personality secret you thought you had on lockdown.
I used to hate naps, but now they are one of the best times of the day. The quiet, the pause. The deep breathe before it all begins again.
So, what do you do during nap-time?
Me? One of two things, depending on how the day is going. If the day is going well, I straighten up. If the day is a complete shit-show, I lay prone on the couch, staring at either the ceiling or my iPhone with a glazed look in my eye. I stay that way until I hear the telltale cry indicating that one or both babies are awake and then I drag my slug-body into an upright position and resume my duties.
When you look at that scenario, logically it should be the other way around. If I’m having a shitty day it’s because things aren’t getting done, tantrums are getting in the way of outings and cleaning up, and on these days nap-time really could function as a welcome respite from the little people so I could catch up and prepare for smooth sailing in the afternoon.
Likewise, a morning where the day is chugging along smoothly means I was probably able to do the meal clean up while the kids were eating, the toy cleanup was completed with no fuss by the children themselves, and thus I should feel entitled to a break.
The two are switched though, and I try to strive against it but it is what it is and I think this speaks to a deeper side of myself, that I am controlled by fatigue and my emotions rule the roost. Good begets good, and bad derails me.
I like making things beautiful. I love order; neatly folded things stacked in piles. Conducting chaos into clean floors and open windows. It feels like a reward rather than a chore if I’m in the right mindset.
That’s my Rorschach test. What’s yours?
What do you do during nap-time?
11 Comments
I do exactly what you do and I don’t fight it. I’m good giving myself a break.
What I work on is not losing my shit when my son doesn’t nap. This is getting better — I just get us out of the house again for another activity.
It’s all or nothing around here. I’m either studying, cleaning, laundry, or working my part-time job…or ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! I too love naptime and was sad that James gave it up but he’s usually pretty good about playing in his playroom downstairs while Jordie is napping. I sometimes dread the days where I have no more napping babies!
My nine month old only ever naps on me, either attached to my boob or in the sling or pram. This used to worry me as i thought we were doing things ‘wrong’. Now I secretly love it though as I get to read or play on my phone for two hours a day! 😉
Yessss! Built in phone tine nursing is embarrassingly useful for that 🙂
Right now I’m reading your blog whilst my 8 month old is sleeping next to me. It’s my birthday and I don’t feel like cleaning or hanging washing. Maybe later! Ha, yeah right.
No! Your birthday is ample excuse to abdicate all responsibility, have a midday nap, eat cake, and generally just engage in all manners of hedonistic pleasures 🙂
Happy Birthday!
Same happens hear! Though I often try desperately to prepare food during breaks, if I’m not too tired. But more often than not, I just go zombie.
I’m so glad to hear I’m not alone!
I will admit that yesterday when my 6 month old went down for her first nap–only 90 minutes after we both woke up–that I parked my butt on the couch and took a nap, too! No shame here (ok SOME shame) but I figure hey if she’s still waking up at night , I’m up with her so I need a quick snooze!
Pretty much the same story here…if she was a good sleeper the night before, didn’t rise before 6am and hasn’t been a grump, I’ll clean up the house, get a little writing done, productive crap like that. If it’s been a rough day and she’s been up since 4:30 you bet your butt I’m gonna lie down at the same time she goes down. I think I like my nap times more than she does.
I do exactly the same! I really WANT to do housework – cooking, tidying etc – but my body just says ‘NO’ sometimes and forcing me against my will to do nothing. I always think of Goldie Hawn in Overboard during those moments when she’s just staring going “ba ba ba ba ba ba ba”…