The dream that almost was.
It’s been almost 3 years since M napped. She decided to stop snoozing when I was 8 months pregnant with her sister. It was excruciating. After I got used to it, we had to do everything in our power to prevent her from napping – no car trips in the afternoon, no hanging on the couch before dinner – or else she’d be up until 11. Even if her nap was 10 minutes long.
Fast forward to now. I would do just about anything to get these girls to nap together in the afternoon. Even for 30 minutes. Time to just sit back, take a cat nap myself, read, do just about anything without someone hanging on me.
We were watching Curious George yesterday morning. You may have seen it. George observes his friend, Jumpy Squirrel, collecting nuts in preparation for hibernation. This episode is one of M’s favorites. She always wants to try to recreate it. She asked, again, if we could try to hibernate.
What would we have to do to hibernate, M?
“We’d need to have a big lunch, then get all my friends (stuffed animals) together, then make the room dark, then get into bed, then sleep.”
Oooh, keep going. Tell me more about the sleeping part.
“We can take a nap and pretend it lasts all Winter.”
It was all I needed to hear. We drew a picture of the night sky with a moon and stars and taped it to her window. We got a few rocks from outside to put on her nightstand to make it more cave-like. I brought in my pillow and blanket and relaxed on the floor, almost giddy. Could it really be this easy to get in an afternoon nap? Thank you, George!
No. It was not.
“Mommy, we need some animal sounds.”
Noise machine? On. Let the nap begin.
“Mommy, what are you doing down there?”
Just trying to fall asleep for the long Winter.
“Yes, me, too. Let’s go to sleep.”
So I rested. For 15 seconds.
“Mommy, wake up. It’s Spring!”
Fucking Spring.
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Posted by LZ on June 12, 2010
Filed under: Daily Life, The Monsters
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June 12, 2010
This is my recurring nightmare, I know Finn is close to losing his afternoon nap and I am dreading the day.
Michelle´s last blog ..Summer Guest Blogger Friday! Very Best Housewife!
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June 12, 2010
Hahahahahaha. Too funny. Did you really think it would be that easy?!?!?!
I cannot remember the last time my kids took a nap, oh how I miss those days.
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LZ replied:
June 12th, 2010
I really did. I figured if she saw George doing it, she’d give it a try, and maybe, oncenin be for a few minutes, she’d doze off. Silly me! She won’t fool me again!
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June 13, 2010
Oh. My. Heavens!, but you had me roflol! As disappointing as it was for you it sure made my evening.
I had to tell you about this. I needed a nap (darn shingles!) & told my kids (13 &
thats what I was doing. Every single time I was almost asleep one of them (usually the 8 yr old) was in my room. “Mom, mom, mom?! Are you awake?” Um, I am NOW!
Sues2u2´s last blog ..See? We went…
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June 13, 2010
I seldomly literally laugh out loud while reading but did with your comment about spring. Hilarious!
Alecia´s last blog ..Coffee Aficianado
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June 13, 2010
LOL Hilarious. I was blessed with a kid who liked to nap and would still go to bed at her bedtime. Naps stopped for her abt age 4.
She’s 8 now but will occasionally come home from school, tell me she had a killer day, and take abt a 15-20 minute power nap.
I am blessed.
tori aka ggs_closet´s last blog ..What’s Coming To Gigi’s Consignment Closet
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June 14, 2010
Twitter: CoffeesCommutes
After the night I had (WITHOUT SLEEP) I needed this laugh and to know that others wallow in a similar misery.
Christine LaRocque´s last blog ..Possibly
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June 14, 2010
Ha! I was so ecited at the beginning because my girls love CG and I love sleeping.
; )
My girls love to play the sleepytime game where they lay down and want my to cover them with blankets and say night night. Too bad it only lasts for about thirty seconds.
Kate, aka guavalicious´s last blog ..When to push
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June 14, 2010
Is it bad that I laughed? I totally laughed. My nearly four year old has not napped consistently since she was 18 months old. And she NEEDS a nap. Every SINGLE day. The idea of both little ones napping at the same time is like some sweet mythical beast. I never find it, but I bet it’s awesome!
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LZ replied:
June 14th, 2010
No, not bad at all. In retrospect, it was very funny, but I felt a bit betrayed by M. Dangling a nap in front of my like a carrot to a rabbit. I’m almost over it
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June 14, 2010
Oh, man …. that is the worst! I feel your pain, mama! I have to say, though, that for the most part, my kids are great nappers – my 4 year still from time to time naps, although usually late in the afternoon, which is HORRIBLE because it means he’ll be up until midnight – but there is no preventing him from napping on the days he NEEDS to nap. My 2 and a half year old is still a good napper, THANK GOODNESS!
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June 14, 2010
I prolonged my daughter’s nap by telling her that she had to have “quiet time” – she has music,her animals, books and dolls in her room while her brothers sleep. I had 3 kids in 4 years and I am not ready to give up nap time!
Jerseygirl89´s last blog ..Faux Pas Friday: Pearl Jam
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June 14, 2010
Haha! The exact same thing happened to me – my son stopped napping around a month before his brother arrived (when he was 18 months old), and since then, naps have been a no-go. We’ve tried quiet time in his room, but even that has taken a dive. Argh.
Lady Mama´s last blog ..If I had ten dollars, I’d buy you a curtain rail.
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June 15, 2010
I will have a week of mourning when Nate gives up his nap. He needs it, I need it, the world needs it!
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June 15, 2010
You are too funny! Thank God my little guy takes a nap or I would go crazy – he never stops moving so a nap is needed by all!
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June 15, 2010
You are too funny, I feel your pain.
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June 15, 2010
Well you get an e for effort. It was a nice try!
My daughter stopped napping about 9 months ago and we do quiet time now, where she plays quietly in her room. We’ll see how long it lasts…
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June 16, 2010
Twitter: jodieansted
The 8yo gave up his sleeps around the age of 3 1/2. Not too bad. I had to stop the 6yo’s when he was 4, because I was worried he wouldn’t cope when he started preschool! My 3 1/2 – the last at home – still naps during the day. He often asks if he can skip it, but I’m keeping it for as looooong as possible. Because, yes, it’s hard when they stop!
The 8yo used to be quite happy to sit and watch a movie when his younger brother slept. The 6yo never liked doing that – he has never been able to amuse himself much either. The 3yo actually amuses himself quite well, so I think when he does eventually drop the sleep, it won’t be too bad. Just means I won’t get as much time to blog and tweet during the day! Ha ha….
Jodie at Mummy Mayhem´s last blog ..Dying For a Cuppa
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